C1.9 How to Buy a Car¶
How to Buy a Car in the UK? How to Buy a Used Car?
New Cars
Buying a new car in the UK is quite similar to the process in China. First, research the car you want online, including its specifications, price, whether a test drive is possible, and the location of your nearest dealership. Then, visit the official brand dealership to make the purchase. It's a good idea to prepare questions for the salesperson in advance, such as queries about insurance costs, after-sales service, MOT, road tax, and servicing. Some dealers may recommend specific types of insurance. Remember, car insurance is mandatory in the UK. You can buy it yourself online; a previous guide article details how to buy car insurance in the UK.
As there are incentives for buying new cars in the UK, many dealers offer various benefits. These can include deals on insurance, MOT, and servicing; interest-free finance plans; and discounts on UK Road Tax. For information on government road tax rates, visit: [https://www.gov.uk/calculate-vehicle-tax-rates]. Specific offers should be confirmed with the salesperson.
Used Cars
Buying and selling used cars is very common in the UK, especially among international students selling their cars after graduation. The main advantage of buying a used car is the lower price. The used car market is well-established in the UK. Purchasing channels include:
Buying from a car dealership, following a process similar to buying a new car, often including test drives, vehicle checks, and promotional offers.
Buying from a used car dealer, which can range from large dedicated used car companies to private sale platforms.
However, buying a used car carries risks, such as inadvertently purchasing an illegal/stolen vehicle, one with hidden problems, or one with incomplete paperwork. Be cautious and ensure you:
Before buying, check for the V5C registration certificate (log book). This is the vehicle registration certificate issued by the driving and vehicle licensing agency. It contains specific details about the car and the registered keeper, proving the vehicle is legal and compliant. For detailed information about the V5C, see the official website:
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/new-and-used-vehicles
This means you should ask the seller for the vehicle registration number, make and model, and its MOT (Ministry of Transport) test history. You should also check if a SORN has been declared. A SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) is a legal requirement when the vehicle keeper stops using a vehicle on public roads and ceases to insure and tax it. However, if a vehicle is not being driven but is simply kept at home without a SORN, the keeper is still legally required to insure and tax it. If you do not have insurance and tax, and also do not have a SORN, you will automatically be fined £80 for not having a SORN, and will receive additional fines for having no insurance and no tax.
Official SORN link:
：https://www.gov.uk/sorn-statutory-off-road-notification
2. Check that all the details provided by the seller match the information held by the UK's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). This includes checking for any serious recall issues, the vehicle's colour, its tax status, whether a SORN has been declared, and all other relevant information. You can check this by entering the vehicle registration number on the official website: https://www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla
3. Check the annual MOT status and its history for any issues or failures. If the record is blank, it might be because the keeper has declared a SORN, as mentioned before. Check this on the official website by entering the vehicle's registration number: https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-status
4. Arrange a test drive in advance. If possible, go on the test drive with the owner and ask questions about the car. It is essential to purchase temporary car insurance before the test drive to cover any potential issues that may occur. Without insurance, you would be liable for any damage to the car or any incidents during the drive. During the test drive, you can ask the owner various questions about the vehicle. Negotiate the price after the test drive is complete. Sellers generally prefer buyers who can pay the full amount outright.
5. Using a larger, reputable car marketplace offers more security. Documentation is usually more complete, which saves time. Later, when you graduate and want to sell the car, you can often use the same platform to resell it directly.
6. Conduct a vehicle history check. This check reveals how many previous owners the car has had, whether there are any outstanding fines or unpaid road tax, if it has been involved in any accidents, the number of repairs, etc. You can perform some checks yourself using the steps mentioned above, but this takes time. Typically, a comprehensive history check is done by a specialist service for a fee, usually ranging from a few pounds to around ten pounds. Most major car trading platforms offer this service, for example:
Theaa
web：http://www.theaa.com/vehicle-check
Autotrader
web：https://www.autotrader.co.uk/vehiclecheck
HPI
Here is an introduction to platforms where you can buy used cars.
Cargiant
The largest used car marketplace in the London area. It has a fast turnover of stock, allowing you to buy and drive away on the same day. Test drives can be arranged in advance.
web：https://www.cargiant.co.uk
Autotrader
This car trading platform includes both new and used cars. In addition to official dealerships and specialist car retailers, private sellers also list their vehicles here. You can use it to both buy and sell cars. Sellers from various regions across the UK are represented on the platform.
web：https://www.autotrader.co.uk
Motors
This is also a UK-based platform for buying and selling used cars. Most of the cars listed have already undergone a history check; those that have will be clearly marked. You can also sell your own car on this platform.
