Buying a used car is one of the biggest purchases most people make — and one of the easiest to get wrong. These free guides walk you through everything you need to know to spot a bad buy before you hand over a penny.
Category S, N, A and B explained in plain English. Learn what each write-off category means, how it affects value and safety, and why private sellers don't have to tell you.
Read the guide →How to read an MOT record like a mechanic — what advisories really mean, spotting mileage discrepancies, and the warning signs that should make you walk away.
Read the guide →How car tax is calculated, why the rules changed in 2017, what you'll pay for your vehicle and the simple checks that stop you overpaying.
Read the guide →A step-by-step checklist covering paperwork, the test drive, bodywork, mechanicals and negotiation — everything to check before you buy.
Read the guide →Clocking, cloning, outstanding finance and "too good to be true" listings. Learn the most common UK car scams and exactly how to protect yourself.
Read the guide →Put what you've learned into practice. Enter any UK number plate for an instant check — MOT history, road tax, emissions and more, straight from official DVLA and DVSA records.
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