A Comprehensive Guide to Buying a Car Safely

This month, we're shining a spotlight on a vital topic that many of you have queried - how to buy a car safely. Purchasing a vehicle can be one of the most significant investments you make. Therefore, it's crucial to make an informed decision. Today, we're guiding you through the process from start to finish.

1. Thorough Research

Begin your used car buying journey by determining the type of car that suits your lifestyle and budget. Consider factors like size, fuel efficiency, reliability, and maintenance costs. The buying mode on our app has extensive information about each vehicle with the aim of understanding it's true likely costs to own. This can guide you to vehicles that meet your criteria. 

You can use our free, comprehensive tools in the buying mode to give you a detailed understanding of any vehicle. For instance, you can check to ensure the car has a valid MOT. But don't just stop there; delve deeper into the MOT history within our app. It can often unearth intriguing insights about the car's lifespan.

For example, if the car has failed its MOT numerous times over the years, this could be a red flag, indicating that it may not have been well-maintained. Consistent failure records could hint at persistent mechanical issues or a neglectful previous owner.

Additionally, take careful note of any advisories. These often highlight potential issues that could cause a fail at the next MOT or flag up concerns about the general condition of the vehicle. Persistent advisories on similar issues over the years could suggest ongoing problems that haven't been adequately addressed.

A key cost of running the vehicle is insurance, so feel free to use the insurance estimators and full quote service in our app to check as many different vehicles as you need to when researching. You can often get surprising results. Especially for the younger driver.

2. Provenance Check

When you've found a potential car, it's crucial to delve into its history with a provenance check. It provides invaluable insights, revealing if the car has been previously written off, stolen, or has outstanding finance. (psst Our 'Full History Check' is one of the most comprehensive and cost-effective provenance checks on the market!).

In addition, it's essential to examine the V5 registration document thoroughly. Confirm that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) matches the one on the vehicle. The VIN can usually be found in a few key places:

• Embossed on a metal plate which is often located on the dashboard, visible through the windshield from the outside of the car.
• Stamped into the frame itself, often under the bonnet or in the door jamb on the driver's side.
• On a sticker placed on the driver's door or door jamb.

By ensuring that all aspects, including the VIN, are accurate, you're taking a critical step towards verifying the authenticity of the vehicle and the seller's claims.

Here's where to find the full history check in the app:

IMPORTANT: With all good quality provenance checks they will clearly list a few details to check manually yourself when you are next to the car. Essentially ensuring the car hasn't got a false number plate on it and that the check is actually for the right car. We can't stress how important it is to complete these checks.

Find our provenance check here

3. Inspect and Test Drive

Exterior Inspection:

• Body Condition: Check for rust spots, dents, and scratches. Ensure the gaps between panels are even. This can indicate whether the car has been in an accident or had major repairs.
• Tyres: Check if the tyres are worn evenly. If not, the car could have alignment issues. Also, ensure the tyres meet the minimum tread depth of 1.6mm.
• Lights and Glass: Ensure all lights work properly, and there are no cracks in the windows or mirrors.

Interior Inspection:

• Upholstery and Surfaces: Look for excessive wear, tear, or stains on the seats, carpets, and roof. Check if the pedals are worn out, which might indicate high mileage.
• Controls and Features: Test the air conditioning, heating, audio system, and all buttons and switches. Check the condition of the seatbelts.
• Odour: A musty smell could indicate water leaks or even flood damage.

Under the Hood:

• Fluids: Check the engine oil by removing the dipstick, wiping it clean, then reinserting it and pulling it out again. The oil should be brownish and not gritty. If it looks like a frothy milkshake, this could indicate water in the oil, which may suggest a head gasket leak - a serious issue. Another place to check for this is on the bottom of the oil filler cap. The coolant should be free of oil.  If you can, check the transmission fluid, it should be pinkish, not brown (although this step usually requires the car to be on a jack/ramp and is often not practical).
• Oil Leaks: Check for any signs of oil leaks. Look at the ground where the car has been parked for oil stains, and inspect the engine bay for any oil residue. Oil leaks could indicate potentially costly repairs.
• Battery: Check for any leakage or mineral build-up.
• Hoses and Belts: They should not have cracks or excessive wear.

Test Drive:

• Engine: Does the car start smoothly? Listen for any unusual noises when the engine is running.
• Brakes: Do the brakes feel responsive and smooth? Listen for any screeching or grinding sounds.
• Steering and Handling: Is the steering smooth? Does the car respond adequately to your actions?
• Transmission: Whether automatic or manual, the transmission should shift smoothly and respond directly.

Remember, never feel rushed during your inspection. It's your right as a buyer to know what you're getting into. And for an extra layer of security, consider bringing along a trustworthy mechanic for a professional inspection.

4. The Paperwork

Despite what one might expect, the paperwork involved in buying a car isn't that overwhelming. However, there are a few crucial documents that you need to scrutinise during any vehicle purchase.

V5C Registration Document
Issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), the V5C log book is an official record assigned to the registered keeper of a vehicle. It's a red and blue document comprising four A4 pages, which is essential when the vehicle changes hands or the owner's address changes. This document contains an array of specifics about the vehicle, such as the VIN, make, model, colour, and engine details, plus the name and address of the registered keeper. Remember, the keeper is not necessarily the owner; if the car is financed, the finance company legally owns it.

If you're buying from a dealer, they'll typically handle the V5C for you. But if you're buying privately, the responsibility is also on you. Here are some things to bear in mind:

• Check for any signs of tampering on the V5C.
• Look for the ‘DVL’ watermark embedded in the document.
• Pre-2012, the V5C was blue, but a number of blank blue V5Cs were stolen, prompting a change to a red colour. If you see a blue V5C with specific serial numbers (BG8229501 to BG9999030 or BI2305501 to BI2800000), steer clear of the vehicle.
• To reduce the risk of fraudulent sellers, ask to view the car at the address listed on the V5C.
• Never buy a car without a V5C. If it's missing, the registered keeper should order a replacement from the DVLA for £25 before selling the car.

Service History
The service history of a car provides a peek into its maintenance life. The service book, filled with dealer stamps and dates for each service, offers a wealth of information. For cars with digital service records, ensure you obtain a printout. Here's what to watch out for:

• Absent service book stamps could indicate inadequate maintenance.
• Ensure the mileage noted at each service aligns with the MOT information and the car's actual mileage.
• If the car has been maintained privately, insist on viewing receipts and invoices to confirm the reported servicing and maintenance.

I have occasionally bought vehicles without a service history, but that's because I have a good mechanical understanding and the car was too good to pass. But remember that lack of a service history will significantly devalue a car. So, ensure you factor that into the price you negotiate.

5. Negotiate and Finalise the Deal

With the knowledge gained from your research, inspection, and test drive, you're now prepared to negotiate the price. Here are some tips:

• Be Prepared: Use the information you've gathered about the car's condition and the average market price for similar vehicles as leverage in your negotiations.
• Stay Calm and Polite: Keep the conversation friendly yet professional. Be assertive about your points but avoid becoming confrontational.
• Don't Rush: Be patient and avoid expressing too much enthusiasm, even if it's the car you've been looking for. If the seller senses your urgency, they may be less likely to negotiate.
• Be Ready to Walk Away: If the seller isn't willing to negotiate to a price you're comfortable with, don't be afraid to walk away. There will always be other cars on the market.

6. Securing Your Purchase

You've made it - the car is now yours! But before you drive off, there are a few things you need to secure. Even seasoned buyers can overlook these important details!

V5C Transfer

This needs to be transferred into your own name. The seller will usually do this and it can be done online while you wait, or the old fashioned way of filling in the form and sending it to the DVLA. I've bought cars before where I've done it all, and other times when the seller has. But we recommend leaving with the little green part on the bottom of the 3rd page of the V5, titled "6 New Keeper slip - must be given to the new keeper". The last car I bought had an different tax class for a disabled driver, which meant I couldn't do this online and had to go into a post office in order to get the vehicle taxed. If I didn't have the little green slip I wouldn't have been able to do this.

Proof of Purchase

Purchase proof once the purchase is finalised, it's crucial to have a receipt detailing the transaction. Both the buyer and seller should keep a copy. This should include:

• The purchase date
• The buyer's name
• The seller's name and address
• Vehicle specifics, including make, model, mileage, VIN number and registration number
• Written confirmation that the vehicle has been fully paid for
• Signatures of both parties

Keys and Service Records

Remember to request all the keys to the vehicle. Also, ensure you have all service booklets and, if available, the vehicle owner's manual.

Making the Vehicle Road-Legal

In the past, vehicle tax stayed with the car, but nowadays it's the owner who needs to pay the tax. Make sure you've done this before you drive on public roads. To make things easier, our app provides links directing you to the exact spot on the DVLA's website to purchase your tax online in just a few minutes.

And don't forget about insurance! It's all too easy (and believe me, I speak from personal experience here!) to overlook this crucial step. Hopefully, as part of your research, you used the insurance estimators and full quote checks in our app. Make sure you've got your cover sorted for this specific vehicle before you hit the open road. Safety first!

Buying a car is a significant investment, and thorough due diligence is crucial. It may seem daunting, but with tools like KnowYourCar, you can navigate the process confidently and securely. Our aim at KnowYourCar is not just to assist you in making informed decisions when buying a car, but also to make the entire process of car ownership as smooth, cost-effective, and hassle-free as possible.

Happy car hunting and safe motoring!

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