How to Buy a Car Online in the UK

1 Set Your Budget

Before browsing, decide your maximum spend including insurance, tax, MOT, and running costs.

• Under £3,000 — older, higher-mileage cars. Budget for potential repairs.
• £3,000–£8,000 — solid used market. Most reliable options for first-time buyers.
• £8,000+ — newer cars, lower mileage, often with remaining manufacturer warranty.

2 Choose the Right Car

Think about how you'll use it daily:

• City driving — small hatchbacks are easiest to park and cheapest to insure.
• Family use — estates or MPVs give more boot and passenger space.
• Long commutes — diesels or hybrids are more economical at speed.
• First car — look for cars in insurance group 1–10 to keep premiums low.

3 Check the Car's History

Before viewing any car, run a history check using the registration plate:

• MOT history — check previous results and advisory notes at check-mot-history.service.gov.uk.
• Outstanding finance — a HPI check reveals if money is owed. The finance company can repossess even after you've paid.
• Written-off status — Cat S and N write-offs can be sold legally but should be priced lower.
• Mileage discrepancy — compare listed mileage against previous MOT readings.

4 View the Car in Person

Never buy without seeing it. At the viewing:

• View in daylight — much easier to spot bodywork issues.
• Check for uneven panel gaps, mismatched paint, or signs of accident repairs.
• Look underneath for rust, especially on sills and wheel arches.
• Start the engine from cold — listen for rattles, smoke, or unusual smells.
• Test all electrics: windows, heating, infotainment, lights.
• Take it for a test drive on a variety of road types.

5 Negotiate the Price

Most private sellers expect negotiation. Use MOT advisories, worn tyres, or minor dents to justify a lower offer. Research what similar cars sell for on AllCars first. A reasonable starting offer is 5–10% below asking price.

6 Pay Safely

• Bank transfer — traceable, but only transfer once you have the V5C logbook in hand.
• Cash — bring exact amount, get a signed receipt.
• Never pay a deposit to reserve a car you haven't seen.
• Avoid PayPal Friends & Family or cryptocurrency — no buyer protection.

7 Complete the Paperwork

• Get the V5C logbook — seller sends the main section to DVLA, you keep the yellow slip.
• Notify DVLA at gov.uk/change-vehicle-keeper.
• Sort insurance before driving away — driving without insurance is illegal.
• Road tax does not transfer with the car — check it's valid or arrange your own.