Used Cars

• Buying a used car privately
• Tips for buying a used car privately
• Questions to ask when Buying a Used Car
• Buying a used car checklist

Vehicle inspections and history checks

Some people don’t buy used cars as they’re worried about being ripped off, but with a few precautions buying privately or through a second-hand car dealer could save you thousands.

When you’re looking to buy a car, it’s important to make sure there are no nasty surprises waiting for you after the sale, which is why completing a vehicle check and thorough inspection is so important. Our history check is the most comprehensive check in the UK and will reveal any issues with the car’s history. It will tell you whether or not there’s any outstanding finance, if it’s been scrapped, written off, stolen or if we’ve found any mileage discrepancies.

In addition to the history of the car, you also need to check the car is in good working order. It can be easy to be fooled into buying a faulty car if you’re not aware of the ways problems can be disguised. We’ve provided our top tips on things to look for, but if you need help you can call on the RAC’s vehicle inspection service. Our inspectors will travel to the car, to complete a full inspection and road-test for you, and give you a full written report of their findings so you can negotiate on price if you need to, or simply know when to walk away.

What you should check before you buy

When you’re viewing the car, give it a good once over before you commit. Start with the exterior. Check paintwork for consistency, as this can be a sign of repainting or any bubbling which could indicate rust. Check that all doors and windows open smoothly, and that tyres aren’t worn down on one side (which could indicate an uneven suspension).

On the inside of the car, you should check for signs of wear – this will probably go hand-in-hand with a high mileage, which might also show on the odometer. Test the car’s functionality and make sure everything works from seatbelts to all the electronics. Check to make sure that all of the warning lights work when you turn the engine on and that all of the lights are working properly.

You can also measure the fluid levels in the engine for oil, coolant, brakes and clutch. If they’re not topped up at the right level, you might want to ask yourself how long this has been the case and what damage might have been done as a result. You should also see if there are any leaks from the engine or gearbox.

Different types of used car dealers

So how can you be sure you’re buying a quality used car? At the RAC, we work hard to look after the best interests of our customers and we go to great lengths to make sure that the cars we list are of a high standard:

• RAC Approved Dealers offer the Buy Sure guarantee. Approved Dealers prepare all of their vehicles to our specialised 82-point standard and offer customers a full history check, warranty and breakdown cover.
• RAC Dealers provide a complimentary 3-month warranty and breakdown cover and they use RAC guidance to make sure their vehicles are prepared to a high standard.
• Franchised Dealers are associated with their respective manufacturers and maintain cars to franchise standards.
• Independent dealers who can be privately owned and may offer benefits such as warranties, breakdown cover and multi-point checks, so make sure you review this before you buy a second-hand car.

Fixing your budget

It‘s important to set your budget at a realistic level. There are a range of finance options, such as car loans you pay back in instalments, trading in your old vehicle for a discount, or temporary hire. You might also want to verify the going rate of a car before you buy with our car valuation tool. Our online valuation offers a range of prices so you can quickly find out what price you’d expect to pay if you’re looking to buy through a dealer, private seller or via part-exchange.