Plain-English guides
for UK vehicle buyers
Written for the person about to spend real money. No dealer-friendly equivocation, no SEO filler, just what each term, document and number actually means when you're deciding whether to buy.
- Expert, independentUnbiased, practical advice
- Plain EnglishNo jargon, no fluff
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New to used car buying?
Start with our essential checklist to cover the basics before you buy.
Download checklist- Buying9 min read
Questions to ask a seller before travelling to view a used car
The questions to ask a UK used car seller by phone or message before you travel: V5C, service history, MOT advisories, price, and red flags to listen for.
Updated 2 Aug 2026Read - Inspection9 min read
Used EV battery health: what the data says and how to check it before you buy
How to verify battery state of health on a used EV: SoH readouts, warranty transfer, a worked pence-per-mile comparison, and when to walk away.
Updated 2 Aug 2026Read - Legal8 min read
Buying a vehicle you have not seen: distance sales, deposits and your rights
Your rights when buying a car or van unseen in the UK: distance-selling cancellation, Consumer Rights Act protections, deposits, payment methods and scams.
Updated 2 Aug 2026Read - Specialist vehicles8 min read
Van payload, GVW and the overloading trap: a used-buyer's guide
How GVW, kerb weight and payload fit together on a used van, why plated figures beat brochure claims, and checks that stop you buying an overloading problem.
Updated 2 Aug 2026Read - Specialist vehicles8 min read
Damp and weights: the two checks that decide a used motorhome or caravan
How to check a used motorhome or caravan for damp and weight problems: moisture meter bands, habitation history, MTPLM versus MIRO, and licence limits.
Updated 2 Aug 2026Read - Inspection9 min read
Reading an MOT history: what advisories actually mean
Plain-English breakdown of DVSA MOT records: pass, fail, dangerous, advisory, and the recurring-fault patterns that quietly tell you the car has a problem.
Updated 10 May 2026Read - Inspection8 min read
Spotting mileage clocking: 7 checks before you pay
Why clocking a 100,000-mile car to 60,000 is worth £3,000-£5,000 to a dishonest seller, why it's now easy to detect, and the seven specific checks that catch nearly every case.
Updated 10 May 2026Read - Buying10 min read
Cat C, Cat D, Cat S, Cat N: what each really means for your purchase
UK insurance write-off categories without the jargon: which ones are safe to buy, how the discount typically works, and what you need on the paperwork before you sign.
Updated 10 May 2026Read - Ownership8 min read
V5C logbook walkthrough: every box and what it should match
What to actually check on the V5C before you pay: the seven cross-references that catch most frauds, the markers that change the price, and what an honest seller can produce on demand.
Updated 10 May 2026Read
Better information. Better decisions.
CompareForecourt helps you check key details, compare similar cars and estimate running costs, so you can buy with confidence.
- Check MOT history & advisories
- Estimate running costs & tax
- Compare similar cars side by side
- Spot missing information in listings
