Asking the right questions before and during a viewing can save you a wasted trip, or a bad buy. Ask them in a friendly way; honest sellers are happy to answer.
Before you go to see the car
- “Is the car registered in your name at this address?” The seller should be the registered keeper on the V5C, and you should view the car at the address on it.
- “What is the registration?” A genuine seller will give it. Run a free check before you travel: it shows the MOT history, recorded mileage and whether the details match the advert.
- “Why are you selling it?” A clear reason is reassuring; a vague one is worth a follow-up.
- “Is there any finance on the car?” Even if they say no, check for outstanding finance yourself.
About the car's history
- “How long have you owned it?” A very short ownership may mean a problem the seller discovered. Compare it with the number of previous keepers, and see how many owners is too many.
- “Has it ever been in an accident or written off?” Check the answer against the write-off record.
- “Does it have a service history?” Ask to see the book and invoices, and check the mileage goes up steadily.
- “When was the cambelt changed?” (If the engine has one.) It's an expensive job that's often due on older cars.
- “Are there any known faults?” In a private sale, the seller's description matters legally, so note what they say.
During the viewing
- “Can I see the V5C?” Check the name, address and VIN, and that the V5C looks genuine.
- “How many keys are there?” Replacement keys can be expensive, and a missing key can be a theft warning sign.
- “Has the recall work been done?” See how to check for recalls.
- “Can I take it for a test drive?” Use our test drive checklist.
Answers that should make you walk away
- “The V5C is in the post” or “I'm selling it for a friend.”
- Refusing to give the registration or let you check the car.
- Pressure to pay a deposit before you've seen it, or to pay in cash only.
- Answers that don't match the car's records.
Key points
- Get the registration before you travel and check it.
- Ask about ownership, finance, accidents, service history and keys.
- Know your rights: dealer vs private seller.