Paperwork matters just as much as the bodywork (Image: Getty)
Buying a used car can be a money-saving move – but miss one crucial check and it could turn into a nightmare, with drivers risking losing both the vehicle and their cash.
With car thefts still a major problem and stolen vehicles regularly re-appearing on the second-hand market, motorists are being urged to follow a strict checklist before handing over any money.
Government advice makes clear that most of the vital checks can be done for free, online, and in a matter of minutes – before you even go to view the car.
Checks to do before you see the car
Before setting foot on a driveway or forecourt, buyers should ask the seller for the registration number, make and model, and the MOT test number.
These details should then be checked against official DVLA records to ensure everything matches up.
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Buyers are also urged to confirm:
- The vehicle’s MOT status and full MOT history
- Whether the car has been recalled for a serious safety issue
The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency says motorists can easily access this information online.
In a post shared on X, the DVSA said: You can check a vehicle’s MOT history online –
- when a buying used car
- to check recent MOT advisories
- to check if the vehicle has a recurring problem at MOT
The online MOT history service allows buyers to see whether a vehicle has passed or failed previous tests, the mileage recorded at each MOT, and any advisories or minor faults flagged by testers.
What to check when you view the vehicle
Once you’re face-to-face with the car, the paperwork matters just as much as the bodywork.
Buyers should always ask to see the V5C vehicle registration certificate, commonly known as the log book. It must include a ‘DVL’ watermark, and motorists are warned to check the serial number carefully.
If the serial number falls between BG8229501 to BG9999030, or BI2305501 to BI2800000, the V5C may be stolen.
Official advice is clear: call the police as soon as it’s safe to do so.
The details in the log book should match the registration, make and model already checked online. Buyers should also inspect the vehicle identification number (VIN) and engine number, ensuring they match the information on the V5C. Any discrepancy is a major red flag.
MOT history can reveal hidden problems
The government’s MOT history service goes back years and can expose patterns of neglect or repeated faults.
For cars, motorcycles and vans, MOT results are available for tests carried out since 2005, showing where each test was done, what failed, and whether problems were classed as minor or serious.
In some cases, MOT records may also reveal whether a vehicle has been recalled for safety reasons, depending on the manufacturer.
Even after the deal is done, there’s one final step buyers must not forget.
Drivers must tax the vehicle immediately, using the green ‘new keeper’ slip from the log book. The tax does not transfer automatically when a car changes hands.
Fail to do so, and you could face a fine – even if the car never leaves the driveway.
Buying a used car without checking its history is a gamble no driver needs to take. With free government tools revealing whether a vehicle is stolen, unsafe or hiding serious faults, experts say there’s no excuse for skipping the checks.
A few minutes online could be the difference between snapping up a bargain – and watching your new car disappear on the back of a recovery truck.
