Reading time: 5 minutes
Last updated: September 2026
Written by: The Motodan Team
Category: Buying Advice
Buying a used car is a big decision.
You might have found one you really like, the price looks right and it appears to be in great condition. But before you get carried away with the shiny paintwork and start imagining it on your driveway, there are a few questions worth asking.
And you don't need to be a mechanic or a car expert to ask them.
A good dealer should be happy to explain the car's history, condition and what is included with the purchase.
Here are some of the questions we'd recommend asking before you buy.
1. Can I see the service history?
This should be high on your list.
Ask to see the car's service history and, where available, supporting invoices or receipts.
Don't just look for the words "Full Service History" and leave it at that. Look at the dates, mileage and what work was actually carried out.
Things to look for include:
- Regular servicing
- Oil and filter changes
- Manufacturer-recommended maintenance
- Evidence of major work that may have been carried out
- Any gaps in the history
- Whether the mileage appears to make sense
As we covered in our guide what does 'full-service history' really mean?, a full-service history doesn't guarantee a perfect car — but it can tell you a lot about how it has been looked after.
2. What is the MOT history like?
The MOT history can give you a useful picture of how the car has performed over time.
You can look at:
- Previous MOT dates
- Recorded mileage
- MOT failures
- Advisories
- Repeated issues
- Whether the mileage appears consistent
Don't automatically be put off by an advisory from several years ago. Cars are used, things wear out and repairs get carried out.
What's more useful is looking at the overall pattern.
For example, if a previous advisory was for worn tyres and the tyres have since been replaced, that's very different from seeing the same issue repeatedly.
3. How many previous owners has the car had?
It's perfectly reasonable to ask how many owners the car has had.
But, just like mileage, the number of previous owners doesn't tell you everything.
A car having several previous owners doesn't automatically make it a bad car.
Equally, a one-owner car isn't automatically perfect.
The more useful question is whether the car's ownership history makes sense alongside its age, mileage, condition and service history.
4. Has the car had any previous accident or insurance damage?
This is an important question to ask.
A reputable dealer should be able to explain what they know about the vehicle's history and any relevant checks that have been carried out.
If a car has previously been involved in an accident or has an insurance history marker, you should understand what happened and what category or record applies before making a decision.
Don't be afraid to ask:
“Is there anything in the vehicle’s history that I should know about?”
If you’re unsure about the answer, ask for clarification.
You should feel comfortable understanding what you’re buying before you commit.
5. What checks have been carried out on the car?
Ask the dealer what checks have been carried out before the car was offered for sale.
Depending on the vehicle and dealer, this might include things such as:
- Vehicle history checks
- MOT history
- Mechanical inspections
- Road tests
- Checks of tyres and brakes
- Checks of fluid levels
- Inspection of the interior and exterior
- Checks for warning lights or obvious faults
It's also worth carrying out your own checks when viewing the car - our guide to 10 things to check before buying a used car takes you through some of the things to look for.
It’s also worth asking whether anything identified during preparation has already been dealt with.
You don’t need to know exactly what every mechanical check involves.
The important thing is understanding what has actually been checked and prepared before you’re buying the car.
6. What condition are the tyres and brakes in?
Tyres and brakes are two things worth asking about because they are wear items.
Ask:
“What condition are the tyres in?”
And:
"How much life is left in the brakes?"
You can also check the tyres yourself for:
- Tread depth
- Uneven wear
- Cracks
- Bulges
- Other visible damage
Remember that a used car doesn't have to have every consumable brand new.
The important thing is understanding their current condition and whether anything is likely to need attention soon.
7. Is there anything the car will need doing soon?
This is one of our favourite questions because it's about being realistic.
No used car is completely immune from future maintenance.
Ask the dealer:
"Is there anything you know of that the car is likely to need soon?"
Depending on the vehicle, this could include routine maintenance or age- and mileage-related work.
For example:
- Servicing
- Tyres
- Brakes
- Timing belt
- Battery
- Clutch
- Other maintenance specific to the make and model
The answer won't necessarily be that nothing will ever need doing.
And that's okay.
You're buying a used car, not a brand-new car fresh from the factory.
8. Can I take the car for a proper test drive?
Absolutely.
A test drive isn't just about finding out whether you like the car.
It's an opportunity to see how it feels and whether anything stands out.
Pay attention to things such as:
- Starting the engine
- Clutch operation, if manual
- Gear changes
- Steering
- Braking
- Suspension
- Warning lights
- Unusual noises
- How the car feels at different speeds
- Whether anything feels unusual or doesn't operate as expected
Don't be afraid to take your time.
If you're unsure about something you notice during the drive, ask about it.
9. What warranty is included?
Make sure you understand exactly what warranty is included with the car.
Ask:
- How long does it last?
- What does it cover?
- Who provides it?
- How would I make a claim?
- Are there any important exclusions or conditions?
It's much better to understand this before you buy rather than trying to work it out afterwards.
At Motodan, our cars come with a complimentary 3-month Motodan warranty, covering mechanical works during that period, along with 12 months' complimentary roadside assistance.
Extended warranty options are also available at the point of sale.
10. What happens if I have a problem after buying the car?
Hopefully, nothing will go wrong.
But it's still worth understanding what happens if you do have a problem after purchase.
Ask the dealer:
"If I have an issue after I buy the car, who do I contact and what happens next?"
A good buying experience shouldn't simply stop when you drive away.
You should know who to contact and what the process is if you have a question or concern afterwards.
And remember, buying from a dealer also gives you legal protections that you wouldn't necessarily have when buying privately.
Don't be afraid to ask questions
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when buying a used car is feeling like you have to pretend you know more than you do.
You don't.
If you don't understand something, ask.
If you see something you're unsure about, ask.
If you want to know why something has been done, ask.
If the answer doesn't make sense, ask again.
You're potentially spending thousands of pounds on a car. Asking questions isn't being difficult - it's doing your homework.
Buying with confidence
You don't need to ask a hundred questions before buying a used car.
You just need to ask the right ones.
The answers should help you build a picture of the car:
Its history.
Its condition.
Its mileage.
How it has been maintained.
What has been checked.
What might need doing.
And what happens after you buy it.
Combine those answers with your own checks, a proper test drive and the vehicle's history, and you'll have a much better understanding of what you're actually buying. And before you get too focused on a particular car, it's worth making sure the car itself is right for your lifestyle – our guide to how to choose the right used car for your lifestyle can help.
Before you buy – a quick question checklist
☐ Can I see the service history?
☐ Does the MOT history make sense?
☐ How many previous owners has the car had?
☐ Has the car had any previous accident or insurance damage?
☐ What vehicle and mechanical checks have been carried out?
☐ What condition are the tyres and brakes in?
☐ Is there anything the car is likely to need soon?
☐ Can I take the car for a proper test drive?
☐ What warranty is included?
☐ What happens if I have a problem after buying it?
Motodan's honest tip
Don't be afraid to ask what might need doing next.
Buying a used car doesn't mean everything will remain perfect forever. Understanding what maintenance may be coming up can help you budget properly and make a more informed decision.
Motodan fact
There is no such thing as a silly question when you're buying a used car.
If there's something you don't understand, ask.
A good dealer should be happy to explain rather than make you feel uncomfortable for asking.
Motodan's final word
The right questions can tell you far more than the shiny paintwork ever will.
Take your time, look at the history, check the condition, ask questions and take the car for a proper test drive.
You don't have to be a car expert.
You just need to understand what you're buying and feel comfortable with your decision.
And if you're unsure about something, ask.
That's what questions are for. ❤
Spidersnet