Buying a used car

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What to look for when you are considering buying a second-hand car

Mechanical condition and safety

• Assess the car in daylight.
• Take it for a test drive, but take someone with you if you don't know much about cars.
• If a car has been in an accident, it may be unsafe. Sometimes two damaged cars are welded together to create a new one. These are known as 'cut and shuts' and are unsafe.
• There are companies that can tell you whether a car is an insurance write-off. You can usually find details of these companies online or in motoring magazines.

Stolen cars

If you buy a stolen car, the Police can take it from you and return it to the original owner or the insurance company. You will not get any compensation, even though you bought the car in good faith. You would have to sue the seller for your losses which might prove difficult if you bought privately and the seller has disappeared. Also, if you bought the car on credit you may still have to pay off the loan, depending on the type of agreement you had.

It can be difficult to tell if a vehicle has been stolen. it's identity may have changed. For example, the number plate of a legitimate car may have been transferred to a stolen one; vehicle registrations documents can be forged or obtained by fraud. Here are some signs to look out for:

• The seller cannot produce the V5 vehicle registration document. A common excuse is that the V5 is with the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) for updating. This may well be the case, but it would be wise not to buy until the document can be produced.
• The seller claims the car was bought recently and the V5 is with the DVLA for change of ownership. If this is the case, the seller should have a green slip to prove this.
• There are spelling mistakes, alterations or no watermark on the V5.
• The name and address on the V5 are different from the sellers - ask for proof of identity, i.e. recent utility bill and current driving licence.
• The number plate does not match the V5
• The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), usually found in the engine compartment, stamped into the body work, does not match the V5.
• The VIN numbers have been tampered with.
• The seller cannot show you a current insurance policy for the car.

Cars still owned by a credit company

A car bought on hire purchase or conditional sale agreement belongs to the finance company until all outstanding payments have been made by the owner. If you knowingly buy such a car without the finance company's approval, they might be able to take it back from you. But if you bought it without this knowledge, as an 'innocent purchaser', then the finance company cannot take the car back and will have to pursue the seller. Get advice quickly if you find yourself in this position. You should be aware that this protection does NOT apply to stolen cars.

There are companies online and in motoring magazines who can tell you if a car is clear of any outstanding finance deals. There is usually a small fee involved. If you are buying from a dealer, ask whether this check has been carried out.

Clocked cars

Low mileage can be an attractive selling point, but the clock can be put back to reduce the number of miles shown. Sellers sometimes protect themselves by covering up the mileometer or issuing a disclaimer saying that the mileage may be wrong. To be valid, such a disclaimer must be at least as noticeable as the mileage reading and brought to your attention.

If the mileage is low, but wear and tear on the car looks heavy, the car may have been 'clocked'. Clockers sometimes change the pedal rubbers, steering wheels and gear knobs to hide this. Another sign is that mileometer numbers do not line up correctly.

There are several ways that you can find out about the history of the car:

• Check MOT certificates and service documents for mileage readings taken by mechanics.
• Contact previous owners named on the V5 and ask what the mileage was when they sold the car.
• Get mileage information from companies that research car's history (a small fee is usually payable).
• If buying from a dealer, ask whether they have used trade-only database companies such as IMVA or VMC to check mileage.

Buying privately

Buying privately is usually cheaper than buying from a dealer. But it is also much riskier. The car may be stolen, or it may have been used as security on a loan or hire agreement and may not belong to the seller, even though their name is on the V5.

You should also be aware that you have fewer legal rights when buying privately. If the seller lies about the description or condition, you may be able to sue for your losses, if you can find the seller again!

Some dealers pretend to be private sellers to avoid their legal obligations in order to get rid of faulty or over-priced cars. They advertise in local newspapers, shop windows, or on the car windows. Warning signs include:

• Ads which give a mobile number or specify a time to call (it may be a public phone box, not the seller's home).
• The same phone number appears in several ads.
• When you phone about a car, the seller asks "which one"?
• The seller wants to bring the car to you or meet you somewhere, rather than you going to the seller's home.

Buying at an auction

You can pick up a bargain at an auction, but auctions are probably the riskiest way of buying a used car. You need to know what you are doing. Try going as a spectator first and see how you get on.

If you don't know much about cars, take someone with you who does. Decide the maximum you can afford and stick to it. The entry form attached to the windscreen of the car should give you a rough idea of the car's history.

Your usual legal rights do not apply. You should read the auctioneer's conditions of business carefully before committing to buy.

Making a complaint

If you need to make a complaint about a car you have bought, please contact our partners, Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, or visit the Consumer Direct website.

Alternatively, you can complete the following form and submit direct to Trading Standards:

Consumer Complaint Reporting Form (PDF - 604kb)

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Contact us

• email: ts.es@renfrewshire.gov.uk
• call in or write to us at:
  Renfrewshire Council
  Environmental Services
  Trading Standards
  Renfrewshire House
  Cotton Street
  Paisley
  PA1 1BR