If you need to upgrade your car, buying a used car can work out more economical. As well as saving money on the cost to buy, it can also mean cheap car insurance quotes.

Plus, if you buy from a private seller rather than a dealership, you’re more likely to find higher-spec cars at fiercely competitive prices. But if you’re put off from buying used from a private seller, don’t be – here’s advice from mustard.co.uk.

Check the car has all its official documents

Any car you buy should come with a V5C registration form, also known as the vehicle logbook. The V5C is essentially the car’s birth certificate and is a record of all its most important details, including its vehicle identification number (VIN).

It’s important to check that the details on the V5C match the car itself, for example, its colour and the VIN.  You should also make sure that the registered keeper’s details are correct.

You’ll need the V5C to tax the car so it’s a vital document to have. If there isn’t one, the seller can order a replacement from the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Don’t forget that the car will also need a valid MOT certificate if it’s more than three years old. You can check this yourself, at GOV.UK.

View the car in daylight

If you can, arrange to see the car in daylight hours. Poor light and dusky evenings can hide all sorts of things which could indicate the car’s been heavily repaired. In particular, look out for uneven paint finishes or gaps where there shouldn’t be.

Buying a used car from a private seller will usually mean the car will show signs of normal use, for instance, small dents or scratches. In most cases, these can be easily repaired and can even be used to negotiate a little more off the price, so don’t be afraid to haggle.

Carry out basic safety checks

It’s all well and good that the car comes with an MOT but it’s still important to carry out your own safety checks. This includes checking the depth of the tyre tread and making sure each tyre is evenly worn.

Bear in mind that the legal minimum for tyre tread depth is 1.6 mm so if tyres are close to this, they’re likely to need replacing fairly soon. To avoid spending hefty amounts on new tyres, they should have at least 2 mm to 3 mm of tread depth left. Seat belts should not be frayed or ripped and you should be able to click them into place smoothly, without any pull or drag.

It’s also worth making sure the mileage is what you’d expect from a car of its age and condition. You can do this by quickly checking previous MOT certificates which record the car’s mileage each year. The increase should be steady and relatively consistent but if anything seems amiss, loose screws on the instrument panel or finger marks inside the glass could indicate the odometer has been tampered with.

Take the car for a test drive

It’s important to take the car for a test drive, after all, it’s really the only way you’re going to know how the car handles and if it feels right for you. Before you take it for a spin, check everything works as it should, including indicators, internal lights and the handbrake.

Listen out for squeaky brakes which could mean brake discs and pads need replacing. Gears on manual cars should be smooth in transition and not stick, grind or crunch.

Most importantly, remember that you’re under no obligation to actually buy the car. So, don’t be afraid to simply walk away from it, if it’s not what you’re after.

Remember to arrange car insurance before you drive away

If you decide to buy the car, you’ll need to arrange car insurance before you drive it home, even if it means leaving it with the seller overnight. Driving it home without appropriate insurance in place could land you with a fixed penalty fine of £300 and earn you six penalty points. If you’re taken to court, you could even be banned from driving.

If you can’t wait, consider taking out temporary car insurance which provides flexible cover for as little as a day up to a few weeks or even months. This should then give you enough time to search for an annual policy that suits your needs.

You can search for car cover at sites like mustard.co.uk, where you can compare quotes from dozens of trusted UK providers. Either start a quote or speak to an expert on 0330 022 8825.