Used cars

Above all else you want to find a car that’s in good condition. Look over the outside and inside of the car for any signs of wear or damage, such as uneven tyre wear, rust and fluid leaks. You should also check that things like the lights, air conditioning, and electrical systems are working properly.

Not every aspect of a car’s condition is easy for an untrained eye to judge, so it's worth conducting a car history check, too. This will tell you if the car has been stolen or written off, as well as give you details about its past ownership and maintenance records.

Once you’ve found a used car you like, we recommend scheduling a test drive to assess its performance. Pay attention to how it drives, the steering response, and any unusual sounds from the engine or brakes.

It’s also worth asking what used car warranties dealers offer; some also offer 14-day money back guarantees. 

A typical annual mileage is around 7,000-8,000 miles, so multiply that by the age of the car for a rough idea of what’s typical for the car’s age. Don’t be put off by a car that’s done more miles if it has been well looked after. High-mileage cars often spend a lot of time on motorways, which puts very little strain on the transmission and brakes. A low-mileage car could show more signs of wear and tear than a similar car which has covered many more miles. Learn more about what is a good mileage on a used car.

Used cars can be very reliable. The key is to buy a good example of a make and model with a strong reputation for durability.

Carwow can help. Read our car reviews to help make a shortlist of suitable used cars. Then search for your ideal second-hand car through our used car pages. Use Carwow’s history check service to make sure the car is hiding no nasty surprises.

You can buy a used car through Carwow. There are thousands of cars available through our network of trusted dealers.

Used cars can be bought through main dealers, independent dealers, car supermarkets, auctions, and private sales.

If you are buying a used car from a dealer, you will need to pay VAT at the standard rate of 20%. There’s no VAT to pay if you are buying from a private seller.

Yes, you can usually test drive a used car. It’s important that you are insured, though. A dealer will usually sort this for you, but it’s easy to arrange temporary insurance cover if you need to.

Your legal rights vary depending on how the car is bought and whether you are buying from a private seller or a business.

You have extensive rights if you buy online from a business. Purchase a car this way and you have 14 days in which you can reject the car if it’s not for you – it doesn’t have to be faulty.

If you buy in person from a dealer then you can’t return the car unless it has a significant fault. If the fault is bad enough for the car to be ‘not as described’, ‘not fit for purpose’, or ‘not of satisfactory quality’ and occurs within 30 days of purchase you can reject it.

Between 30 days and six months, the seller must be given at least one chance to repair the fault.  If the repair fails, then any refund will be adjusted based on the use of the car.

After six months, you would need to be able to show the fault was present at the time you bought the car, even if the problem may not have been obvious at the time.

If you buy from a private seller, you cannot return the car easily. You have very little legal protection unless you can prove that the seller lied about the car.

Yes, you can finance a used car. Hire purchase and personal contract purchase may be available, or you can raise the funds to buy a used car through a personal loan.