Vehicle guide
How do I check a vehicle before buying it remotely?
Do not let distance turn the purchase into a payment-first transaction. Establish whether the seller is a trader or private individual, verify the vehicle independently, inspect it live and preferably in person through a qualified third party, and agree the payment, delivery and cancellation position in writing before committing money.
A remote buyer cannot directly test the seller’s description against the physical vehicle before committing money. Independent identity checks, a live viewing, retained promises and controlled payment reduce that evidence gap.
Verify the seller before the vehicle
- 1
Establish whether the seller is a trader or private individual; your rights and the evidence available differ significantly.
- 2
Verify the trader’s registered name, address and contact route independently, or confirm why a private seller’s identity and address connect them to the vehicle.
- 3
Be cautious where the seller will communicate only through messaging, refuses a live viewing, pressures you to reserve immediately or changes the receiving bank account.
Make the viewing live and specific
- 1
Ask the seller to show the registration, VIN, V5C, odometer, dashboard warning lights, cold start and known defects during one continuous live video call.
- 2
Direct the camera yourself: request close-ups of panel gaps, tyres, glass, keys, service evidence and any area that the advert does not show clearly.
- 3
Complete fresh identity, MOT, recall, finance and history checks using the registration or VIN you have independently confirmed.
Get an independent physical check
- 1
Arrange an inspector who answers to you, not the seller, and confirm what their inspection excludes before booking.
- 2
Give the inspector the advert and history findings so they can compare the physical vehicle with the claims and focus on any recorded repairs or anomalies.
- 3
Treat a video viewing and inspection as complementary: neither removes a provenance marker or guarantees future reliability.
Put the complete deal in writing
- 1
Save the advert, images, messages and written answers about condition, mileage, history and specification before they can be changed or removed.
- 2
Record the total price, deposit, delivery charge, inspection arrangements, included items, promised remedial work and the cancellation or return terms.
- 3
For a qualifying distance purchase from a trader, obtain the required pre-contract information and cancellation process in a form you can retain; do not assume the same rights apply to a private sale or a deal concluded in person.
Control payment and delivery
- 1
Use a traceable payment route to an account consistent with the verified seller and independently confirm any last-minute change of payment details.
- 2
Avoid paying the balance before the agreed checks are complete and the vehicle, documents, collection or delivery arrangements are identified in writing.
- 3
At handover, compare the physical vehicle, VIN, mileage, condition, keys and documents with the agreement before accepting it, and record any discrepancy immediately.
Your practical checklist
Tick each item as you work through the vehicle, documents and evidence. An unticked item stays open—it does not become a clear result.
Useful sources and next steps
Questions buyers ask
Do I always have 14 days to return a vehicle bought online?
No. The seller’s status and how the contract was concluded matter. Distance-sale rights can apply to qualifying trader sales, but do not assume the same cancellation right for a private purchase or a deal concluded at the premises.
Is a recorded video viewing enough?
It improves the evidence but cannot reproduce a physical inspection or road test. Use it to verify identity and visible claims, then consider an independent inspection before paying the balance.
Check the vehicle in this guide
Start with the free official-data snapshot. We will keep anything not returned clearly marked as unknown.
What vehicle are we looking at?
Enter the registration, or upload a clear photo of the number plate. You will confirm anything read from an image before a check runs.
Images are processed only to find registration candidates and are not retained by Car Assistant. We do not extract other V5C details.