Buying your first car? Used car buying guide for beginners in the UK - Detailed.

A detailed guide to buying a used car in the UK for beginners and people buying their first car. In this video I will talk about budget, age, mileage, service history, cambelts, MOT, Tax, Insurance, transfer of ownership, where to buy and basic health checks you can make to help you make a wise decision when buying your first car.

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This video is a guide intended to help people who are learning to drive with a driving instructor in the UK, it is by no means a replacement for driving lessons with an appropriately qualified driving instructor.

Laws and driving rules may be different in your country. The makers of this video cannot be held liable for any consequences caused by any information that is in any way inaccurate, misleading or missing. The makers of this video are not liable for any person's driving other than their own, it is the responsibility of the person driving a vehicle to ensure they drive safely and within the law. The makers of this video are also not liable for any person failing a driving test as a result of the information provided in the video.

[sheks]

I took some notes below:

Finding a car:
1. Age is more important than mileage. Age kills the car more than driving it (especially motorway driving is light on the car).
2. Better to get a more expensive but newer and reliable car even if it's on instalments the interest will be cheaper than repairs.
3. Full-service history is very important.
4. Find a car online rather than going to a garage. You will have much more options. (For example, auto trader)

Preparation:
1. Keep £50 a month to cover for unexpected repairs, £100 would be even better.
2. Cam belt replacement is important. You can find it in the manufacturer’s recommendation.
3. MOT is different than servicing. MOT is checking whether essential bits in the car work. Servicing is replacing some bits in the car for longevity.
4. Bring someone along that knows what he is doing. To make sure you’re not buying a lemon (I had to google that one XD).
5. Check MOT history of the car online. Check whether the faults have been fixed.

Car Checks:
1. Check for oily mess in the engine. Oil Filler cap shouldn’t be white form the inside. (Tiny bit is ok). Dip stick also should be black.
2. Check fluid levels. Mainly coolant, oil and brakes.
3. Check suspension by bouncing corners of the car. Car should settle quickly.
4. Exhausts shouldn’t have black oil when starting the car.
5. Windscreen shouldn’t have cracks.
6. Try windscreen wipers and jets.
7. Check tyres for wear. You might need to replace them soon.
8. Brake disks should be clean after driving for 5 mins.
9. Look at lower edge of the car around the body to see if there is any rust.
10. Paint on bumper might mean it had a repair. You might want to know how big the repair was.
11. Panel gaps should be even. Between the door and the body, between the boot and the body. Uneven gaps might be caused by uneven chassis after an accident.
12. Check oil leaks under the car.
13. Make sure you have the locking wheel nut. Otherwise, you can make any repairs on the wheels.

Test Drive:
1. Make sure you are comfortable. Driving position feels good for you.
2. Try all the buttons and screens etc. make sure everything is working. Check glove box closes. Check rear sensors by driving backwords close to an object.
3. Handbrake shouldn’t be too high.
4. Try all the gear. They should be working. Make sure you try reverse as well.
5. Clutch shouldn’t be too firm or too high. If it is then it might need replacing soon.
6. Listen to noises while driving. Rev engine and check for weird sounds. Suspension shouldn’t make metallic sounds on bump.
7. Braking should pull the car to one side.
8. Check warning lights on the dashboard.

Transferring ownership:
1. Tax is not transferrable. You have to tax the car when you get it. (Google: tax my car). Section 10 in the V5C form should be helpful to do this.
2. Get insurance: if you’re at fault, third party pays only for the other person car, comprehensive pays for your car as well.
3. Cheaper insurance: Adding 2 older people to your insurance might reduce your premium. Increasing your excess will reduce your premium (Excess is what you pay every time you make a claim). Pay insurance yearly instead of monthly.
4. V5C form has who is responsible for the car. Make sure the seller has one. Fill out section 6 to register it in your name. both should sign section 8. The person selling the car is responsible to send it to the DVLA. Take section 10 with you when you buy the car.

Good luck.

[ArminThapa]

i don't even have a license yet n m here 😅

[DuilioPalacios]

Thank you for your videos, I was a driver in Venezuela and I had to take lessons to present the test here in the UK; and your videos were a great additional resource to help me understand the different rules.

[SimulationNPC]

As an American I still watch and love these videos because they're a gold mine of information. Thanks Richard! You help so many people.

[PriyankaSeepaul]

Oh my god I was literally just looking at cars yesterday, this couldn’t have come at a more perfect time Thankyou!!

[lilsmartie]

I passed my test 2 days ago with 2 minors! (watching this guys videos in the upcoming days to my test really helped) and i can’t believe i’m here watching this video, insurance is scary but i’m in disbelief and grateful to be able to be worrying about it 😅good luck everyone!

[edwardtye]

Another tip is check both number plates: if they both say, for example, 'General Motors' at the bottom, then it's a good indication that the car hasn't been in a head-on collision or been rear-ended.

[felixgreen]

Can’t believe I passed and finally got here! I had to relearn a lot in a relatively short time and your videos were class, could easily watch 20-30min videos w ease. Your anxiety videos especially helped me understand myself and driving more🫡 . You’re top class fella and teacher!

[patjoethebaker]

Thinking of buying my first car at the moment, thanks so much for this video Richard.

[chhandaburmaan]

This is such a useful video. I barely knew anything about buying a used car but this video has given me so much confidence and also cleared up some of the jargon that confused me. 😀

[dozadjalo]

WoW this is very helpful.
Keep doing what you are doing mate because you are very good in helping people.

[abbielewis]

I’ve got my test in just over a week and I’m starting to look at cars, this was super helpful and easy to understand, I’ve been watching your other videos as well in preparation. I just wanted to say thank you so much for helping so many confused people (like me). x

[hyeeunlee]

JUST BRILLIANT! and what I exactly needed before going for the test drive. Thank you very much!

[jean-marieanseline]

Thanks Mr Flanders
Really helpful
All your passion and dedication to everyone needing your help and knowledge.
Lot of thanks from deep of my heart

[hunnibee]

Another great video! Thanks, very useful, I'm sure I'll come back to this again one day!

[rahibmiah]

Passed my test yesterday! 🥳 Thank you for all your videos!! I’m still watching after this!!

[Sread]

Excellent video with clear explanations and great tips! Thanks

[chrisisthelife]

Thank you for doing this- it was very helpful and exactly what I needed!

[TheMidnightmagician]

Love all your videos. Helped me on my learning journey. Really grateful

[rdrift]

No shortcuts, thorough, simple. Thank you.