Questions to ask when buying a used car
The right questions do two jobs: they get you information, and the way the seller answers tells you even more. Ask them before you travel to see the car, and again when you are standing next to it.
Updated 14 October 2026
About the seller and ownership
1. Are you the registered keeper, and is the V5C in your name at this address? 2. How long have you owned it? 3. Why are you selling? 4. Is there any finance outstanding on it?
A clear, consistent answer to each is a good sign. Hesitation over the V5C or the address is not.
About its history
5. Has it ever been in an accident or written off? 6. Is there a full service history, and can I see the invoices? 7. When was the cambelt changed, if it has one? 8. What did the last MOT advise, and has it been done?
You can check the MOT history yourself before you go: compare it with what you are told.
About its condition
9. Are there any warning lights or faults? 10. Does everything work: air conditioning, electric windows, infotainment? 11. Are there two keys? 12. When were the tyres and brakes last replaced?
About the sale
13. Can I take it for a test drive on a mix of roads? 14. Can I have it inspected by a mechanic? 15. How would you like to be paid?
A seller who refuses a test drive or an inspection, or insists on cash only, is giving you a reason to walk away.
Check what you can verify
Everything above can be answered dishonestly. The records cannot. Odomint shows the full MOT history and mileage free for any registration, and an Odomint Check adds finance, write-off and stolen checks, so you know which answers to trust.
Questions for a dealer, rather than a private seller
Buying from a dealer gives you more legal protection under the Consumer Rights Act 2015: the car must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described, and you have rights if it is not. Ask what warranty is included, whether the car has had a pre-sale inspection, and for a copy of any checks the dealer has run.
Ask about the total price including any fees, what happens if a fault appears in the first month, and whether you can return the car if something about its history turns out to be wrong. Get every promise in writing: a verbal assurance on a forecourt is very hard to rely on later.
Common questions
What should I ask before viewing a used car?
Whether the seller is the registered keeper at that address, whether there is outstanding finance, why they are selling, and whether there is a full service history.
Should I always test drive a used car?
Yes, on a mix of roads, and be wary of any seller who will not allow it or who will not let a mechanic inspect the car.
How do I know if the seller is telling the truth?
Check what you can verify (MOT history, mileage, finance, write-off and stolen records) against what you are told.
Check any car before you buy it
MOT history, every advisory and the full mileage record are free for any UK registration. An Odomint Check adds outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, stolen markers and salvage history, with a £10,000 data guarantee.