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How to buy the best used car
Buying a used car can not only save you a fortune in depreciation but also put your dream car within reach. We’ll help you buy the best used car at the right price
DB
Dino BurattiResearcher & writer
In this article
- Where to buy a used car
- Is it worth buying a used car?
- Are used electric cars a good buy?
- What to look for when buying a used car
- Can I test-drive a used car?
- What documents should I get when buying a used car?
- How to save money on a used car
- How to save money on car insurance
Buying a used car can be an easy way to make big savings over a comparable new car, or to trade up into something that might otherwise be financially out of reach.
Unless you’ve got very specific needs, there’s usually a ready supply of suitable, good-quality used cars. And you can normally drive away as soon as the deal is done.
Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of buying a used car, what to look for when on a test drive, and how to save money. We’ve also highlighted some specific issues to consider if you’re buying a used electric car.
Already know what you’re looking for? Head straight to our expert pick of the best cars, or take a look at our new and used car reviews
Where to buy a used car
You don’t necessarily need to take a punt on the classifieds. There are several ways to source your used car, including via online car buying services or websites.
While a traditional car showroom is still a perfectly good place to pick up a new car, it’s not always the best option.
The range may be limited, perhaps to a single manufacturer (in the case of franchised ‘main’ dealers), and you’ll probably have to haggle to avoid paying over the odds.
Instead, you could visit a large car ‘supermarket’ to view a broad range of makes and models in one place, often sold at low prices. Or you could use an online car-buying service that lets dealers ‘bid’ for your business by sending you their best prices.
There are pros and cons to each, however, so it pays to do your research and work out which one’s best for you.
Our guide to where to buy a car explains everything you need to know.
Is it worth buying a used car?
Buying a used car is the cheapest way to buy a car in the long run. That’s provided you’re diligent, don’t pay over the odds for it and choose a reliable model – which we can help you with. Here are a few factors to consider.
Regardless of your budget, used cars often make a lot of financial sense. In many cases, new cars lose the majority of their value within a few years of being registered, while there are also plenty of low-mileage bargains out there. But be careful when buying used luxury or sports cars, as they can be hugely expensive to run.
Dino BurattiWhich? cars expert
Car deprecation
New cars can lose a considerable amount of value when they’re first registered. Typically, a new car could lose a third of its original value in just three years – a nightmare for the first owner, but a blessing for used-car buyers.
Problems with a new or used car?
We can help you understand your rights and draft a free complaint letter.
Increased risk of problems
Buying a used car can also be risky, as it can be hard to know how well it’s been looked after and whether it has a hidden history – more on both below.
You can easily find out which cars are the most dependable as they age, as our unique annual survey of tens of thousands of drivers reveals the most reliable cars.
2030 ban on new combustion engines
Buying used is likely to be your only way into a conventional petrol or diesel car after the proposed 2030 ban on new combustion engines. If you’re concerned that an electric car doesn’t suit your needs, buying the correct used car could see you well into the future.
But make sure you check its emissions levels first. Our independent tests, which we believe better reflect real-world driving when compared with the official tests, will help you pinpoint the high-emission cars to avoid, and the low-emission cars you should consider.
Are used electric cars a good buy?
Just like a petrol or diesel car, an electric vehicle (EV) will depreciate with age. This can make the earliest models – the likes of the Peugeot iOn and first-generation Nissan Leaf – very tempting indeed, particularly when compared with the relatively high list prices of current-generation models.
Consider your needs carefully, as used electric cars can come with unique issues to be aware of. For example, people thinking of buying an EV often have concerns about driving ranges.
Even when they were new, many early models didn’t offer particularly useful driving ranges – something that won’t have improved as they age. Some very early cars, such as the Renault Fluence, don’t even have rapid charging capability.
Furthermore, if you’re looking at an early Renault Zoe or an early Nissan Leaf model, it might be subject to a battery lease agreement, which was originally offered to lower the initial purchase price of the car.
If you’re ready to take the plunge and buy a zero-emissions car, we will help you pick the perfect new or used model for your budget and needs – go to the best electric cars
What to look for when buying a used car
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Our 11-point checklist will help you buy a used car with confidence. If possible, avoid making visual inspections in the rain or at night (unless it’s very well lit), as both scenarios make it harder to spot problems.
1. Check the car’s MOT history and servicing records
Provided the car you’re looking at is more than three years old and was first registered in the UK after 2002, its entire MOT test history can be viewed online. Enter its registration number into the government’s MOT check website, and you’ll be presented with details of each test.
Pay attention to advisory notes. These highlight any issue that isn’t great enough to cause an MOT failure but which could lead to one if left unchecked. These will become your problem once you’ve transferred ownership. If there are lots of advisories, use the likelihood of impending maintenance work to negotiate a discount. And, if necessary, be prepared to walk away.
You should also inspect the car’s service book for stamps and ask the owner if they’ve kept receipts of maintenance work they’ve claimed to have had done.
Some newer cars use an online service history, which can make it more difficult to check quickly. Try phoning the dealer that carried out the maintenance; it will have a full record of what work has been carried out.
For more information on negotiating the price of your next car, read our guide on how to get the best price on a car.
2. Inspect the bodywork and chassis
The gaps between all of the car’s panels should be even and consistent. Misaligned panels can be a sign the car has previously been in an accident.
Check that the paint matches on all panels (bright light helps here). It’s often difficult to exactly match the paint on repaired panels that have been resprayed, and a slight difference can suggest a previous owner has had a bump.
Inspect small scratches and dents carefully. A scratch that’s gone through the lacquer and paintwork down to the metal is more likely to develop corrosion.
Find out which products will help you make shallow scratches disappear – we reveal the best car scratch removers.
3. Are the wheels and tyres in good condition?
Kerbed wheels are an inevitable fact of life, particularly for city drivers. If the damage is superficial and the rims themselves aren’t cracked or bent, then it needn’t be a reason to discount a car.
The condition of the tyres is of more concern.
- Tyres need to have a minimum of 1.6mm tread depth to be road legal. Factor this into your offer if they’re close to needing replacing.
- The tyres should also be free from any cuts or bulges. If you notice either on the tyre’s sidewall, it’s likely the current owner has previously hit a kerb.
- The tread on each tyre should also be evenly worn. Overinflated tyres tend to wear more in the middle, while uneven wear can indicate that the wheels or suspension are misaligned. This can reduce tyre performance and increase wear and fuel consumption.
Find out more about tyre construction, labelling and how to choose the correct tyres for your car in our guide on how to buy car tyres.
4. Check the oil level
Make sure the car is cold and that it’s parked on level ground. Open the bonnet and check the level of oil in the engine using th
