Check the paperwork
Don't buy a car without a V5 (registration document or log book) and don't fall for the old 'The paperwork's at Swansea' (the HQ of the DVLA) excuse. Check that the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) quoted on the V5 matches those on the MOT certificate and the car: look at the VIN plate on the engine, on the chassis - usually under the carpet to the right of the driver's seat - and any numbers etched on the windows.
Look for signs that these numbers and plates have been altered or tampered with. Make sure that the registration plate matches the plate quoted on the MOT and V5. Check that the person selling the car is the person named on the V5. If not, why not? Make sure the mileage of the car tallies with the number quoted on the V5.
First impressions
Look for obvious signs of wear and tear, accident damage or rust, but be realistic - a 10-year-old car is quite likely to have a few minor rust spots. Do all the panels match? Are there any odd rippling or orange-peel effects? Are there signs of paint overspray, i.e. on window seals? Are the gaps between panels more or less equal, and do all the doors hang and open and shut correctly? Look around the wheel-arches for signs of botched filler repair or corrosion. This could be hidden by plastic wheel arch covers.
