Is this car worth buying? What to check before you pay
You've found a car you like. Before you pay, check that it is what the seller says it is, that nobody else has a claim on it, and that the price is right. Here's how, step by step, from GOV.UK, Citizens Advice, the RAC and the AA.
By Michał Żelazko
Car enthusiast
Updated
First published
Quick answer
A used car is worth buying when its records add up and its price fits. The logbook should match the car and the seller, the MOT history should show faults fixed rather than put off, the mileage should only go up, and it should be clear of finance, theft and write-offs. Then compare the price with similar cars.
Key takeaways
- The V5C logbook should match the car, its VIN and the seller, and you should never buy a car without the original.
- GOV.UK's free services show a car's MOT tests since 2005, with the mileage and what failed, and its tax and MOT dates.
- Outstanding finance, theft and write-offs aren't on GOV.UK's free services, so run a history check before you hand over money.
See what CarCanny finds on the car you're looking at.
How do you know if a used car is worth buying?
Check four things before you pay: the paperwork, the history, the condition and the price. A car that passes all four is worth buying at the right price; one that fails any of them needs a good explanation, or you walk away.
| What to check | What you want to see | Where to check it |
|---|---|---|
| The logbook (V5C) | Make, model, plate and VIN match the car, and the seller is the registered keeper | The V5C itself, at the seller's address |
| Tax and MOT dates | Taxed, with a valid MOT | GOV.UK's free vehicle checker |
| MOT history | Faults fixed, no long gaps without a reason | GOV.UK's free MOT history service |
| Mileage | Higher at every MOT, and wear that fits it | The MOT history and the service book |
| Finance, theft and write-offs | Clear on all three | A paid history check |
| Price | In line with similar cars of its age and mileage | Adverts for similar cars, or a valuation |
What should you check on the logbook?
Check that the V5C logbook is genuine, and that it matches the car and the person selling it. GOV.UK says to check that it has a 'DVL' watermark, that its details match what the seller told you, and that the VIN and engine number on the car match it. Before you go, ask the seller for the registration, make, model and MOT test number, and check them against the DVLA's record.
The RAC adds that the make, model and number plate on the V5C should match the car, and that you can usually see the VIN at the bottom of the windscreen. In a private sale, the keeper's name should be the seller's, and the address where the car is kept.
Citizens Advice says to get the original logbook, not a copy, and never to buy a car without one. If the logbook doesn't match the DVLA's record, it says to report the seller to the police. The V5C shows who keeps the car, not who owns it, so the RAC also says to get a receipt.
What does the MOT history tell you?
It shows how the car has been kept: every MOT test since 2005, passed or failed, with the mileage and what the tester found. GOV.UK's free service lists the failures and minor problems for tests in England, Scotland and Wales. GOV.UK's vehicle checker adds the tax and MOT expiry dates, the date of first registration and whether the car is marked as exported.
- Advisories: the RAC says to note any and ask whether the seller fixed them. An item that comes back at test after test has been put off.
- Gaps: most cars over three years old need an MOT every year, so Citizens Advice says to ask about a gap. A car declared off the road (SORN) can explain one.
- Recalls: GOV.UK also says to check whether the car has been recalled for a serious safety issue, which its free recall service shows.
- The latest test: an MOT certificate shows the car was roadworthy on the day it was tested, not today, as the RAC points out.
How can you tell if the mileage is genuine?
Check that it went up at every MOT, and that the car's wear fits it. Each MOT records the mileage, so a reading lower than the one before is a warning sign. The RAC says heavy wear on the driver's seat, steering wheel or pedals doesn't fit a low mileage, and puts the average at about 7,000 miles a year (February 2025).
The service book should tell the same story. The AA suggests checking the stamps and handwriting for anything suspicious, and calling the garages to confirm the work.
How do you check for finance, theft and write-offs?
With a history check, because GOV.UK's free services don't show them. Citizens Advice says a history check can show whether a car is recorded as stolen, whether money is still owed on it, and whether it was written off and put back on the road.
If finance is still owed, the lender may try to take the car back. Citizens Advice says a private buyer who didn't know about the agreement can often keep the car, under conditions, but it's a dispute best avoided. A write-off has a category, which tells you how bad the damage was.
| Category | What GOV.UK says it means | Can it go back on the road? |
|---|---|---|
| A | Can't be repaired; the whole car must be crushed | No |
| B | Can't be repaired; the body shell must be crushed, but parts can be salvaged | No |
| S | Structural damage that can be repaired | Yes, once it's roadworthy |
| N | Non-structural damage that can be repaired | Yes, once it's roadworthy |
A category S or N car can legally go back on the road, but ask how and where it was repaired, and let that shape your offer. Never buy a category A or B car to drive.
Is the asking price fair?
It's fair if it's in line with similar cars of the same age, mileage and condition. The RAC says to research the market value before you go, to expect dealers to charge more than private sellers, and to use any faults you find to negotiate. Set a budget, and be ready to walk away.
What does a car check show before you buy?
CarCanny's free check shows the car's logbook record, so you can match its colour, engine size and plate against the car and its V5C. The full report answers MOT status, mileage, MOT history, finance, write-off, value and stolen, plus 7 more checks, with an AI-powered verdict. Its mileage check flags any MOT reading lower than the one before, and its value check gives a trade-to-retail range from recent sales of similar cars.
A history check reads the car's records. It can't tell you how the car drives, so you still need to see it.
Does it matter where you buy the car?
Yes. You usually pay more at a dealer, and get more protection for it.
| Where | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Dealer | Cars are usually inspected and come with a warranty, often six or 12 months, at a higher price (RAC). A trade association member gives you somewhere to complain (Citizens Advice). |
| Private seller | Often cheaper, with room to negotiate, but fewer rights if something goes wrong (RAC). See the car at the seller's home, so you know where they live (Citizens Advice). |
| Auction | The riskiest way to buy: you probably won't have the protection a dealer gives you (Citizens Advice), and little time to inspect the car (RAC). |
What should you check when you view the car?
Its condition, how it drives, and the seller's answers.
See it in daylight, and dry
Rain and darkness hide faults, the RAC and Citizens Advice say.
Look for accident damage
Uneven gaps between panels and paint that doesn't match can mean a repair after a crash, the RAC says.
Check the tyres and under the bonnet
Tyres need at least 1.6 mm of tread by law, and under 3 mm you should budget for new ones. A white, mayonnaise-like residue under the oil cap can mean a head gasket problem (RAC).
Ask the seller
Why they're selling, what maintenance they've done, and whether any is due, the AA suggests.
Test drive it
For at least 15 minutes on different roads, and only once you're insured to drive it (Citizens Advice).
Get an inspection if you're unsure
Citizens Advice and the AA suggest an independent inspection before you commit.
What should you do before you hand over money?
Get the paperwork, pay in a way you can trace, and sort out tax and insurance.
Get the documents
The original V5C logbook and the service history.
Pay in a way you can trace
The RAC says cash is harder to trace. Citizens Advice says paying by credit card gives you Section 75 protection on goods costing £100 to £30,000.
Get a receipt
With the date, the car's mileage and any work agreed (RAC).
Tax and insure it before you drive away
The seller's tax doesn't pass to you (Citizens Advice), so tax the car straight away with the green new keeper slip from the logbook (GOV.UK).
Frequently asked questions
What checks can I do on a car before buying?
Check its details against the DVLA's record and its MOT history on GOV.UK, both free. The V5C logbook should have a 'DVL' watermark, and its VIN and engine number should match the car. Then run a history check for finance, theft and write-offs, and see and drive the car in daylight.
Is a pre-purchase car inspection worth it?
It is if you're unsure about a car after your own checks, as Citizens Advice suggests, and the AA says it's especially worthwhile for high-end or performance cars. An inspection checks the car's condition, and a history check reads its records, so they do different jobs.
How do I find out what my car is worth in the UK?
Compare adverts for cars of the same make, model, age and mileage, or get an online valuation from the registration. Expect dealers to charge more than private sellers, the RAC says. CarCanny's full report gives a trade-to-retail range from recent sales of similar cars.
Is it worth buying a second hand hybrid?
It can be, if its hybrid battery is still covered and its records add up. Carmakers typically cover hybrid batteries for eight years and 100,000 miles, the RAC said in 2021, so ask how much cover is left. Then check it like any used car. CarCanny's report doesn't check battery health.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Check a used vehicle you're buying(opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Check the MOT history of a vehicle(opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Get vehicle information from DVLA(opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Scrapping your vehicle and insurance write-offs(opens in a new tab)
- Citizens Advice: Buying a used car(opens in a new tab)
- Citizens Advice: If the car you bought is still on hire purchase(opens in a new tab)
- RAC: Buying a used car, the ultimate checklist (18 February 2025)(opens in a new tab)
- AA Cars: What questions to ask when buying a used car (16 June 2026)(opens in a new tab)
- RAC: RAC launches new warranty especially for used electric and hybrid cars (9 June 2021)(opens in a new tab)
The ideas for our guides come from people on our team. We use AI tools to help research, draft and edit them, and the named author reads each one before it's published.
Written by
Michał Żelazko
Car enthusiast at CarCanny
Michał works at vlayer, the company behind CarCanny, and is a motoring fan after hours.
