Find the checks that matter for the car in front of you. Each guide gives you questions to ask, records to compare and details to inspect before you pay.
USED CAR MODEL GUIDES
Buying a used car? Start with the model.
Car Check
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EXPLORE THE FIRST FIVE
Model buying guides
Choose the car on your shortlist. Use the guide to prepare for a viewing, then compare its advice with the specific registration, paperwork and condition. We add guides when there is enough useful detail to make the page worth reading.
Ford Fiesta
A small car can have a very busy life. A Fiesta may have spent years on short trips, long commutes or as a first car. The badge tells you little about how this particular one has been treated.
Volkswagen Golf
Look past the tidy family hatchback. A Golf can be a practical all-rounder, but two examples of the same age can have very different histories. Pin down the exact version, examine the service trail and check what the MOT timeline says before you agree a price.
Vauxhall Corsa
Check the car, not the first impression. A Corsa is often on a shortlist for a first or everyday car. Before focusing on colour or spec, work out what the running costs will be and whether this individual car has a convincing history.
Nissan Qashqai
A family car needs a fuller check. A Qashqai’s raised driving position and useful space can make it appealing, but family use can leave clues. Check the vehicle’s own records, inspect the cabin and wheels carefully, and make sure the version suits the journeys you actually do.
BMW 3 Series
The purchase price is only one number. A 3 Series can be an appealing saloon or estate, but condition, equipment and upkeep vary greatly between examples. Check the precise version, price its running costs and seek evidence for maintenance before you fall for the advert.
HOW TO USE THE GUIDES
Check the record, then check the car.
Start with the registration on the DVLA enquiry and MOT history services. Compare the results with the advert and service invoices. Ask about any gaps or recurring advisories.
Before deciding
- Inspect the VIN, V5C and condition.
- Test drive the exact car you plan to buy.
- Check finance and write-off questions where relevant.
- Consider an independent inspection.
NEXT STEP
Keep the wider history in view.
No model guide can tell you whether one registration has outstanding finance, prior insurance damage or a mechanical fault today. Use our vehicle check guide, car history guide and viewing checklist alongside the model page.