Buying safely

Meet in public, in daylight

Arrange the first viewing somewhere busy — a supermarket car park, a gas station forecourt, or the dealer's own lot. Bring someone with you and tell a third person where you are going.

Inspect before you fall in love

Check for rust along sills and wheel arches — salt air is unforgiving here. Look for mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and water lines inside the cabin from flooding.

Take the car to a mechanic you chose, not the one the seller recommends. An hour on a lift is cheaper than a gearbox.

Verify the paperwork

Ask for the registration certificate and confirm the chassis number matches the vehicle. Check that the licence and insurance are current, and that duty was paid on imported units.

Confirm the seller is the registered owner. If they are selling on behalf of someone else, get that in writing.

Pay in a way you can trace

Bank transfer or a manager's cheque at the branch beats cash in an envelope. Never send a deposit to hold a car you have not seen, and never pay through gift cards or crypto.

Report anything off

Every listing has a report link. Suspicious pricing, stolen photos, or a seller pushing for a deposit before viewing — tell us and we will review the listing.