Buying a car should be an exciting experience. Whether you’re finding a family-friendly model to take the entire team away in or a stylish convertible with which to enjoy some summer sun, you should be looking forward to getting the keys to a new vehicle. But there is one thing that remains important when buying a new or used car, and that’s safety.

Making sure that you’re remaining safe and secure when purchasing a car is essential. There are a few key areas that you can focus on to help keep things secure. Here at Cazoo, we specialise in finding the right car for you, but we’re also here to make sure you can get one as safely as possible. Let’s dig into the details.

Where to buy a used car from

There have never been as many options when it comes to where you’re able to buy a car from. Let’s take a look at some of the key areas.

Dealership, independent garage, supermarket or trader

Buying from a dealership, independent garage, car supermarket, or trader is a popular choice, offering a wide selection of models at one site. They can also assist with payment options, including finance, and may offer part-exchange for your old car.

Be aware of "driveway dealers," individuals who buy and sell multiple vehicles for profit and are legally required to register as traders. They must follow trading standards, so you can request a refund or repair if issues arise.

Downsides include potentially paying a slight premium and additional fees. While most dealers have good practices, some may pressure you to buy, so always check reviews beforehand.

Private Seller

Buying from a private seller is a popular, cost-effective way to purchase a car, often at a lower price than through dealers. Sellers are typically open to negotiation, and you can communicate directly to gather details about the car. However, there’s less buyer protection, limited finance options, and you’ll need to handle inspections, MOT history checks, and paperwork yourself.

Online

Buying online, often through dealers, is highly convenient, allowing you to complete the process from home, including financing and paperwork. Cars can even be delivered to your door. The downside is you can’t inspect the car in person beforehand, and while money-back guarantees are offered, returning a car can be a hassle.

Auction

Auctions can be a great way to find cars at lower prices. Once sold, the car is yours immediately. However, there’s minimal buyer protection, limited opportunities to inspect the vehicle, and a risk of hidden issues.

Watch out for scams

When buying a car, watch out for virtual vehicle scams where fraudsters clone real ads, take payment, and disappear with no car to deliver. Be cautious of unusually low prices; it’s often a red flag. If a seller refuses to let you view the car, walk away. Always verify the car’s details, ask plenty of questions, and never pay or transfer money until you’ve seen the vehicle in person. Viewing the car at the logbook address and running a history check can help you avoid scams and ensure everything is legitimate.

What should I check before buying?

So now we’ve covered off your options when buying a car - and the positives and negatives associated with each - what should you consider before you actually visit the vehicle? Let’s take a look.

Budget

Establishing a firm budget right at the very start can help to avoid any disappointment down the line. Don’t just factor in the headline cost of the vehicle, either; consider additional expenses such as tax, insurance and general running costs.

It could be worth checking out how much an average service is for the vehicle you’re looking at, as well as the cost of replacing key components such as tyres or brakes. It’ll help spare some surprise later on.

Research

Research is king when it comes to buying a used car, so do as much as possible. Check to see if there have been recalls for the car you’re looking at, and visit forums to see what other owners have experienced with their vehicles. You could ask friends and family if they’ve had any experience with that particular car.

You can also consult our expert reviews and check out our dedicated YouTube channel to learn more about the car you’re looking to buy.

Features

It’s a good idea to pull together a ‘wish list’ of features you’re looking for in your next car. Modern cars can be kitted out with all sorts of features, but focusing on the ones you need can help make the decision easier. You may want to check that the car you’re looking to buy has air conditioning or satellite navigation. Modern smartphone integration systems such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are often modern ‘must-haves’, too, so check to see if these are fitted.

Remember, our car listings here at Cazoo cover many key features you’re looking for in a car - but don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and ask a retailer about anything you need to know.

Space and practicality

There’s no point buying a small car that doesn’t fit your needs, or an overly large vehicle which will prove a hassle to park unless you really need it. Do some research about how much space a car offers and the type of boot space that it can deliver.

If you’re after more passenger space, then you might want to consider a seven-seater.

History

A solid history is key to hassle-free motoring, so making sure a car has a clean backstory can pay dividends later on. The Government's MOT checker page is a great place to start, as it’ll show how a car has fared in recent MOT tests and whether it has failed recently. A bonus is that it’s free.

Many third-party companies can reveal if a car has outstanding finance or whether it has previously been written off. These can be very helpful and don’t cost much, either.

Alternatives

You might not get the exact car you want, so we’d recommend getting together a list of alternatives that you’d still be happy with. These could be similar models with similar engines, or something entirely different.

Again, use your budget and equipment ‘wish list’ to help guide this.

Warranty/Maintenance

If you’re looking for added peace of mind after buying a vehicle, then you may want to see if a warranty or maintenance package is offered with a car you’re looking at. This is unlikely to be available with a private seller, but many dealers and independents provide warranties, certainly to cover the first few weeks of ownership at the very least.

Many sellers also provide warranties separately, so it could be worth researching these to find out if they provide the cover you need.

What do I need to check on the vehicle itself?

Okay, so you’ve found what looks like the right car for you. It’s within budget and has all of the features you need, but what next? Well, you need to look at the car in person, and here are some of the areas we’d suggest paying close attention to.

History and information

Whenever you’re looking at a used car, make sure you get as much information as possible. Ask the seller for old documentation, receipts relating to repairs, and check the service manual for regular stamps at the correct intervals.

You could always ask the seller - if it’s a private seller - why they’re getting rid of the car and how long they have had it. Any extra information is always useful.

General condition

It’s easy to take a general view of a car’s condition. Check the bumpers for any car park scrapes and look at the primary body panels to see if it has been resprayed. Tell-tale signs include slightly mottled paint or a colour which looks slightly flatter than the rest. Inspect the alloys - if fitted - to ensure they haven’t been damaged. If so, there might be a point that could reduce the cost of the car.

Inside, look at the seats for any wear marks and side bolsters which may have collapsed. Get a general feel for the car - if it’s nice and clean, then it’s likely the seller will have taken pride in the car.

Tyres

Tyres are very important and a significant expense to replace, so check that the ones on any car you’re looking at are in good condition. Look at the sidewalls to check for any lumps or cuts, and look at the tread depth of the tyres, too. The legal limit in the UK is 1.6mm - most specialists recommend changing them well before that point, however - and you can check the tread of any tyre using a dedicated gauge. These are inexpensive and can be purchased online.

You may also want to look at the brand of tyre fitted. If they’re budget tyres, then there’s a chance the car could’ve been maintained on a shoestring budget, so pay close attention to the rest of the vehicle if this is the case.

Electrical

Electrics play a key part in any car and which is why we’d always suggest trying out as many of the electrical components fitted to a vehicle as possible. Test all the buttons and make sure the air-con is working. Delve into the touchscreen if fitted, to try out all the menus, and give every button and control a press. If a car has a sunroof, try this too, to ensure everything works as it should.

If there are any issues, they could prove costly to fix - so make sure you check beforehand.

Mileage

Mileage is a big part of a car’s history. You should see a car’s recorded mileage via the online MOT checker mentioned earlier, and it’s worth seeing if this figure tallies with the one in the car.

While less common than before, ‘clocking’ still occurs. This is when a car’s mileage is mechanically reversed to make it look like the vehicle has travelled fewer miles than it actually has. One key way that’ll highlight this is the condition - if the interior and exterior of the car look very worn, but the mileage is low, then there could be some foul play at hand.

Questions to ask

• What vehicle checks have been carried out and when?
• How many previous owners does the car have? (This can also be found on the V5C document.)
• Has the car ever been involved in a collision, and if so, where was it repaired?
• When is the car’s next service and MOT due?
• Is the car, or has it ever been, modified? (This can affect insurance and car depreciation.)
• Is the car still under warranty, and if so, how long is left?
• When was the vehicle last serviced and MOT’d, and do you have a history of these records?
• About any specific requirements you have, such as towing capabilities, for example.

Test drive

The test drive is your chance to check for any underlying faults. Listen for squeaks, rattles, or unusual noises, which could indicate loose parts or suspension issues. Test the brakes for confident stopping without squeaking or wobbling. A wobble in the pedal suggests warped pads, while a wobble in the steering wheel could point to unbalanced tires or brake problems. Finally, check the suspension by turning the wheel fully in a large, open area and driving slowly forward, then repeating in reverse. Listen for knocking or rubbing.

How to get the best deal

Okay, so you’ve test-driven the car, inspected it, and everything seems just right - but how do you get the best deal now it’s time to buy? Let’s take a look at your options.

Negotiate

Negotiating is common when buying a used car, especially from private sellers, though some dealers also allow it. Be aware that some dealer groups have fixed prices.

Stay calm and ask questions, highlighting any issues like worn tyres or kerbed alloys. These problems are expensive to fix and can be used as leverage to lower the price, provided you're happy to sort them out later.

Some dealers might offer extras like paint protection or servicing. Ensure these are genuinely useful and a good alternative to a discount.

Agree on collection or delivery

Once you've agreed on the price (in writing), arrange collection or delivery. If buying from a private seller, you'll likely drive the car away immediately. If delivered, inspect it for transit damage upon arrival.

Next, arrange payment. Dealerships offer various finance packages to help spread the cost. When paying, you'll typically need your driving license, employment details (for finance), additional ID and address proof (like a passport), and your chosen payment method (cash, card, or cheque).

For private sellers, agree on a payment format. Bank transfers are advisable; ensure details are correct. Paying with cash is risky due to carrying large sums and the inability to prove payment if issues arise later.

What happens when you’ve bought your used car?

We’re not quite done. Once you’ve purchased your used car, there are some additional steps to bear in mind.

Receive paperwork

This is usually done during the selling process, but you should always make sure that you’ve got all the right paperwork before leaving the seller’s property. This includes the V5C new keeps slip, which essentially acts as proof that you’re now the new owner of the car. You and the seller will have to inform the DVLA of a change in ownership, too.

Sort insurance and tax

Before you go anywhere in your new car, you’ll need to make sure that it is both taxed and insured. You can get your car insurance online - make sure to compare quotes to get the best price - or even arrange temporary insurance so that you’re at least covered to get the car back home.

Tax is not transferable between owners, so you’ll also need to sort this via the Government’s website. You can only tax a car once it’s insured, though, so make sure that you’ve got cover before you start this process.

Servicing and repairs

You may also need to organise any repairs or fixes if you’ve spotted them during the purchasing process. In a case of ‘strike while the iron is hot’, it’s sometimes best to get these sorted right away, particularly if it’s linked to something important like brakes or tyres.