Buying a used car process

pred02

Hi,

I am buying my first used car in the UK. I do have a UK driving license, but need to know what is the general process around buying a used car. The car is going to be a city car for 2000 GBP or so, like a VW Polo or similar.

1. I am looking on Gumtree and auto trader, is there any other sites you recommend. is it preferred to go via a dealer or a private seller?

2. Once I test drive the car and make the offer, how do I go about completing the purchase and transferring registration from a private seller?

3. At what point do I arrange for the insurance? After I pick up the car and drive it home, before or after insurance is done? I currently do not have insurance.

Thanks

Sparx

1. They are your usual places, plus local garages and dealerships. Could be better to buy via garage/dealer as you often get a 3-6 month warranty chucked in.

2a. You can pay cash, bank transfer the funds or pay by card if dealer/garage - whichever method you choose MAKE SURE you get a written receipt!! It's helpful if it states the date/time, make/model, condition, price and method of payment - signed by both the seller and yourself. It's handy to know their home address as well if a private sale.

2b. You take the V5 slip fill in your details and post it to the DVLA.

3. I'd recommend arranging the insurance 'quote' beforehand, then upon arrival and you've paid - ensure the insurance is paid and active before you drive away. Otherwise you're driving uninsured and could have it impounded by the police before you can even get home...

AdrianC

For £2k or so and below, dealers usually provide relatively poor value, and very little benefit over a private seller.

The seller is legally responsible for filling your details in on the V5C registration document and sending it to DVLA, the registration authority, who will then send you a registration document in your name. The seller should give you the green V5C/2 slip, which will allow you to tax the car in your name online or at a PO. You will need to tax it as soon as you buy it.

You need to insure it before you drive it home - you need to make sure you're insured before you even test-drive it...

pred02

You need to insure it before you drive it home - you need to make sure you're insured before you even test-drive it...

If I do not current have a car and insurance policy, and I am test driving a number of different vehicles how do I go about doing this? Thanks

Rover_Driver

Sparx wrote: »

2b. You take the V5 slip fill in your details and post it to the DVLA.

As in post 3, the seller is responsible for notifying the DVLA of the sale, and giving the buyer the green 'New Keeper Supplement' part of from their V5C.
The buyer keeps the 'New Keeper Supplement' and does not send it to the DVLA.

Le_Kirk

pred02 wrote: »

If I do not current have a car and insurance policy, and I am test driving a number of different vehicles how do I go about doing this? Thanks

In this case you would be better off at a dealer as they will (normally) allow you to test drive on their multi-car trade insurance. If buying privately it is usually incumbent upon you to arrange one-day cover. If you are looking at several used cars from private sellers, this becomes burdensome.