Used car buying checklist: 25 checks before you pay

Buying a used car is one of the biggest purchases most people make, and one of the easiest to get wrong. A good-looking car can hide clocked mileage, a history of failed MOTs or outstanding finance.

This checklist splits the job into three stages: what to check at home, what to check on the day and what to sort out before you pay.

Before you go: checks from home

These take a few minutes and can save you a wasted trip.

1. Check the MOT history. Look at every past test, fail and advisory. A car with years of the same advisory, or a recent fail with no pass since, needs explaining. Our guide to reading MOT history shows what to look for.
2. Check the mileage record. The MOT history includes an odometer reading at each test. Readings that go backwards, or a big gap, are a warning sign. See how to check if a car has been clocked.
3. Check the tax and MOT status. Is it taxed or SORN, and when is the next MOT due? A car tax check shows both.
4. Check the details match the advert. Make, model, colour, engine size and year of registration should all match. A free reg check shows what DVLA holds.
5. Check ULEZ and clean air zone rules if you'll drive in a city that has one. Our ULEZ check shows whether a car is likely to meet London's standard.
6. Consider a paid history check. The free records don't cover outstanding finance, insurance write-offs or stolen vehicles. For anything but the cheapest car, it's worth paying for.
7. Compare your shortlist. If you're torn between two cars, compare their MOT records side by side.

On the day: the paperwork

8. See the V5C log book. Check it's the original, not a copy, and that the name and address match the seller and where you're viewing the car.
9. Match the VIN. Compare the vehicle identification number on the V5C with the number on the car, usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar or under the bonnet.
10. Check the service history. Stamps and invoices should match the mileage and dates in the MOT history. Look for big jobs such as a timing belt or clutch.
11. Ask how many keys there are. A missing spare key can be costly to replace, and it's a security risk.
12. Ask why they're selling. The answer, and whether it fits the paperwork, tells you a lot.

On the day: the car itself

13. View it in daylight and in the dry. Rain and darkness hide scratches, dents and rust.
14. Look along each side. Ripples, mismatched paint or uneven panel gaps can mean accident repairs.
15. Check the tyres. All four should be a similar brand and tread depth, with no cuts or bulges. Uneven wear can point to alignment problems. Our tyre tread depth guide explains the legal limit.
16. Look underneath for rust, oil leaks and damaged exhausts.
17. Check under the bonnet. Look at the oil level and colour, the coolant level, and for signs of leaks. A suspiciously clean engine bay can be hiding something.
18. Start the engine from cold. Ask the seller not to run it before you arrive. Listen for rattles, and watch for smoke from the exhaust.
19. Watch the dashboard lights. They should all come on with the ignition and then go out. See our guide to warning lights and the MOT.
20. Try everything inside. Windows, central locking, air conditioning, lights, wipers, seats and the infotainment system.

The test drive

21. Drive for at least 15 minutes, on different roads if you can, including some faster ones.
22. Check the brakes. The car should stop in a straight line, without pulling, juddering or noises.
23. Feel the clutch and gearbox. Gears should engage smoothly. A clutch that bites very high may be worn.
24. Listen for knocks over bumps, which can mean worn suspension.

Make sure you're insured to drive the car before you take it out.

Before you pay

25. Get the paperwork right. Take the green new keeper slip, write a receipt with the price, date, registration and both parties' names and addresses, and pay in a traceable way, such as a bank transfer. Never pay a deposit for a car you haven't seen.

Before driving it away, tax it and arrange insurance. Tax doesn't come with the car. Our guide to taxing a car you've just bought explains how.

Red flags that should make you walk away

• The seller won't let you see the V5C, or it isn't in their name
• The VIN on the car doesn't match the V5C
• The seller wants to meet somewhere other than their home address
• The price is well below similar cars, with pressure to decide quickly
• The MOT mileage history goes backwards
• The seller asks for payment by an untraceable method

Your rights when buying used

Buying from a dealer gives you more protection than a private sale. Under the Consumer Rights Act, a car from a dealer must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. In a private sale, the car must only be "as described", so your own checks matter even more.

If something doesn't add up, walk away

Do your online checks before you travel, check the paperwork against the car, take a proper test drive and walk away if something doesn't add up. There are always more cars for sale.