Buying guides

Everything you need to know to buy a used car without getting stung.

5 min read

How to check if a car has outstanding finance

Why finance markers matter — and how to spot them before you pay.

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4 min read

Spotting a clocked car: what MOT mileage tells you

Use MOT history to detect tampered odometers in seconds.

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6 min read

Cat S vs Cat N: should you ever buy a write-off?

Understand insurance categories and what they mean for resale.

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7 min read

MOT history: how to read it like a mechanic

Advisories, defects, dangerous failures — what to actually worry about.

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3 min read

10 questions to ask any private seller

The script that uncovers problems before you view the car.

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5 min read

Test drive checklist — what every buyer misses

A printable checklist for spotting issues during your test drive.

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4 min read

What is the best free car check in the UK?

What a genuinely useful free UK car check should include — and how RegRadar compares.

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3 min read

What is the best reg check website in the UK?

How to choose a UK number-plate check that actually helps you avoid bad cars.

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5 min read

What is the best car history check in the UK?

Criteria for a proper UK vehicle history report — finance, stolen, write-off, mileage.

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4 min read

What is the best HPI check alternative in the UK?

Why a strong HPI alternative gives you the same coverage at a lower one-off price.

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3 min read

Best free MOT and tax check for UK vehicles

How to check MOT and tax status free, and what to look out for.

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3 min read

Is RegRadar a legit UK car check service?

How RegRadar works, where its data comes from, and how it compares to HPI.

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5 min read

What should I check before buying a used car in the UK?

The full pre-purchase checklist UK buyers should run on every car.

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3 min read

Free car check vs paid history report: which do I need?

When a free DVLA/DVSA check is enough, and when you need a paid history report.

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