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Guide for buyers

What to check when buying a used car

You check a used car twice: in the listing, before you bid, and at the handover, before you give the seller your handover code. Here's what to look for at each step.

Updated 22 October 20263 min read

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Before you bid: read the whole listing

Every bid is binding, so the first check happens before you bid.

  • Photos: look at every angle, the dashboard with the mileage, and every marked bit of damage up close.
  • Details: year, first registration, mileage, fuel, gearbox and number of owners.
  • Damage: the list shows which areas are damaged and whether the damage is minor or moderate.
  • Description: the service history, recent work such as the timing belt or chain, tyres and brakes, and any known faults.
  • "Registration document checked": this badge means we checked the VIN and the owner's name on the registration certificate matches the seller's verified ID.

Then work out the total: your bid plus the buyer fee. Set a maximum bid you can comfortably afford, and don't go above it in the final minutes.

History and documents

A car with a clear history is usually a safer buy.

  • The VIN has 17 characters and must be the same on the car and on the registration certificate. You usually find it at the bottom of the windscreen on the driver's side, or on the door pillar.
  • The service book and receipts should match the mileage: dates and mileage that go up over time.
  • The number of owners: fewer owners and a clear history of use make a car easier to judge.
  • Imported cars need their customs clearance documents.

The condition of the car: what to look at

These are general checks worth doing on any used car. Compare what you see with the photos and the damage list in the listing.

  • Bodywork: the same colour on every panel, even gaps between panels, and rust around the wheel arches and below the doors.
  • Glass and lights: cracks in the windscreen, and every light working.
  • Tyres: tread depth and wear. Uneven wear can point to problems with the alignment or the suspension.
  • Interior: wear on the steering wheel, gear knob, pedals and driver's seat should match the mileage. Try the electric windows, the mirrors and the air conditioning.
  • Engine: once it's running, the warning lights on the dashboard should go out. Listen for unusual noises and look for smoke or leaks.

At the handover: the checklist before your code

On Going Once Cars, the handover code is your confirmation that you've received the car. So the last checks happen before you give it:

  1. The seller checks your ID. Bring your ID card or passport.
  2. Check the car against the listing: the VIN, the mileage, the damage and the equipment.
  3. Check the keys and documents: every key, the registration certificate and any papers that were listed.
  4. Sign the sale contract that Going Once Cars prepares.
  5. Only now, give the seller your code. They enter it in the app, and the car is yours.

If the car isn't as described, or keys or documents are missing, don't give the code. Message GOC Support straight away from the handover, with photos if you can.

Warning signs

Stop and check in the app if:

  • someone asks you to pay a deposit or to "reserve" a car outside the app;
  • a payment link or bank account comes from anywhere other than the app;
  • the seller asks for your handover code before you've checked the car and signed the contract;
  • the VIN on the car doesn't match the documents;
  • someone pushes you to act fast, or writes from an address that doesn't end in @goingoncecars.com.

How your money is protected, step by step: how safe payment works.

Quick checklist

  • The listing: photos, details, damage and description
  • The total: bid plus buyer fee, within your limit
  • The same VIN on the car and on the documents
  • A service book that matches the mileage
  • Bodywork, tyres, lights, interior and engine
  • Keys and documents at the handover
  • Your handover code only after checking and signing