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48 Phonebox Magazine | October 2025TESTING TIMES AHEAD!Buying yourself a car is an exciting time, whether it%u2019s new or used. And September%u2019s number plate changeover created a good period for just that, pushing up the choice of used cars, reducing demand and presenting real savings. But the dream can turn into a nightmare if you end up with a bad purchase. And while there are plenty of reputable used car dealerships and sales centres supplying desirable, quality vehicles, there are also unscrupulous characters who wouldn%u2019t hesitate to take your cash in return for a dodgy motor. They are the ones to steer clear of. But how do you do that?The trick here is weeding out the good cars from the bad and, while there is no water-tight guarantee to this when buying a used vehicle, there are certainly several sensible steps you can take to protect yourself from ending up with a poor example that isn%u2019t all it seemed when you fi rst saw its advertisement.Take your time when looking at any used car, ensure you know all about what you%u2019re buying, and be happy that your new dream machine drives as you would want it to.A little preparation and some thought can go a long way towards protecting yourself in what should be an enjoyable and exciting time, but could end up as an unwanted memory.PHONEBOX%u2019S TOP TIPS ON WHAT TO DO WHEN BUYING A USED CAR:History checkFirst and foremost, get a history check done on your potential next car. It%u2019s not expensive and is money well spent if the check discovers a car with a history that the owner didn%u2019t want you to know about. History inspections will fi nd a colour change, a plate swap, suspicious recorded mileage, or if a car has been stolen or damaged. DocumentsThat V5C is an important document as it tells you who the current registered keeper is. Ideally you want that to be the person you are buying from or at least someone who legally owns the vehicle. Ask for any other documents, receipts or owner manuals that might come with the car too.Phonebox Motoringwith Tom JohnstonMOTIf the car is older than three years it will have an MOT history. History checking services will cover this, but you can also do it yourself on the Government%u2019s Gov.uk site. Service histories are also useful but, as they are not a legal requirement, they can be harder to track. If someone has looked after their car well, though, you%u2019d expect them to have a full, stamped service book.MileageWe would all like a second-hand car that has been used by a single person who only does about 5000 miles a year. But actually, that%u2019s not especially good for a car. A higher mileage example that has been serviced and looked after is nothing to be afraid of. What you don%u2019t want is a %u2018clocked%u2019 car %u2013 one that has had its mileage tampered with. Be sure that the given mileage tallies with the age and %u2018feel%u2019 of the car.Overall impressionsStand back and take a good look at the car. Does it sit well in the road? Is it really what you are looking for and will it do the job for you? Are you happy with the condition of the bodywork %u2013 is it dent and rust free? Check for any signs of oil or water leaks from the engine area. BodyworkAs vehicles get older, the chance of a small dent, scratch or scrape increases. It%u2019s unusual to fi nd something without at least a scuff ed wheel. Look at the extent of any damage and for signs of rust. You can always use blemishes as a bargaining chip when you're hammering out a deal.Last month signified the introduction of the %u201875%u2019 registration plate on new cars. But that also meant a fresh stock of used cars becoming available as drivers sold or part-exchanged their current vehicles. Time for a road test, then. But what should you look for?