Before travelling to the car
Confirm the registration, asking price, mileage, seller type and location. Run the available history checks and read the MOT record. Ask whether there are warning lights, known faults, recent repairs, service invoices and two keys.
Save the advert so you can compare its claims with the vehicle. If the seller changes the price, location or story significantly before you arrive, reassess the trip.
1. Identity and seller
- Match the registration and colour to the advert and paperwork.
- Match the VIN/chassis number on the vehicle with the V5C and history evidence.
- Understand who is selling the car and why.
- View at the registered keeper or dealer address where practical.
- Do not let urgency replace verification.
2. Bodywork, glass and tyres
Walk around the car slowly in good light. Look for paint colour differences, overspray, uneven panel gaps, dents, cracked lights and windscreen damage. Check all four tyres, including the inner shoulders where possible.
3. Engine bay and start-up
Where practical, ask the seller not to warm the engine before you arrive. Check oil and coolant levels/condition, obvious leaks, damaged hoses, loose covers and signs of fresh cleaning that could hide a leak.
At start-up, warning lamps should illuminate as expected and then go out normally. Listen for unusual rattles or knocks and look for persistent smoke or warning messages.
4. Interior and electrics
Test the windows, mirrors, locks, infotainment, climate control, heated equipment, cameras, parking sensors and seat functions that the car is supposed to have. Check that dashboard warning lights are not being hidden by a dead display or suspicious modification.
Interior wear should broadly make sense for the mileage and age. It is context, not a mileage test on its own.
5. Test drive
- Clutch / gearbox: smooth take-up or engagement, no slipping, harsh changes or reluctance to select gears.
- Steering: no unexplained pull, excessive vibration or dead spots.
- Suspension: listen for knocks over rough surfaces and speed bumps.
- Brakes: straight stop, firm pedal, no grinding, strong judder or steering pull.
- Engine: smooth response through a sensible range of load and speed, without warning messages.
- Temperature: reaches normal operating temperature and remains stable.
After the drive, look underneath and under the bonnet again for new leaks, smells or anything that changed once the car was hot.
6. Paperwork and service evidence
Check the V5C details, service record and invoices. Compare the dates and mileages rather than relying on stamps alone. Significant MOT repair claims are stronger when there is an invoice or other evidence to support them.
If a warranty is included, get the provider, duration, claim limit and important exclusions in writing.
7. Before paying
Make sure the vehicle, seller and documents all match the story. Resolve any outstanding finance or other important provenance issue. Record the final agreed price and material promises on the receipt or invoice.
Do not pay because you are emotionally committed after travelling. The viewing is a verification exercise. If the car fails the checks, leaving without it is a successful outcome.
Use the report as your viewing plan
A good pre-purchase report should make the physical inspection more focused. If the MOT repeatedly mentions suspension, spend more time listening for knocks and checking repair evidence. If tyres are near the limit, measure and price them. If the valuation only works at a lower number, use the findings as negotiation evidence.
CarSussed is designed to turn the remote evidence into those practical actions, while clearly separating what was confirmed from what still needs checking at the car.
Turn the evidence into a decision.
CarSussed checks the available vehicle evidence, explains the risks and gives you the questions and viewing actions to take before buying.