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Car guides & valuation
Value, buy, sell: our guides to make the right calls, backed by real prices.
Gifting a Car to a Family Member in the UK: The Paperwork
Gifting a car to a family member in the UK still needs a V5C update and fresh tax. Here's what transfers automatically and what the new keeper must sort first.
ValuationHow Much Is My Car Worth? Free UK Valuation
Find out how much your car is worth in the UK right now: what really moves the price, a free way to check it, and how to get an exact figure fast.
ValuationFree Car Valuation Without Giving Your Personal Details
Get a real car valuation range without handing over your email or phone number first. What a tool actually needs, and when giving details is worth it.
ValuationDoes Mileage Affect Car Value? The Real Numbers
Mileage moves a used car's price more than almost any other factor. Here are the real percentage bands, high vs low mileage, and how to spot a clocked car.
ValuationPrivate Sale or Part Exchange: Where's the Real Price Gap?
Part exchange is faster but usually pays less than a private sale. Here's the real percentage gap, when part exchange still wins, and how to work out your own numbers.
SellingSell My Car Privately: The Full Checklist
Get the V5C and a real valuation ready first. The checklist for selling privately: safe viewings, safe payment, and closing the paperwork with the DVLA.
SellingThe V5C Logbook When Selling a Car: What to Fill In, What to Keep
Tear off the V5C/2 new keeper slip for the buyer, notify the DVLA the same day, and keep a copy of the details before you post or upload the rest of the V5C.
SellingCar Tax Refund When You Sell Your Car: How the DVLA Refund Works
Sell your car and the DVLA automatically refunds any full months left on your tax, sent by cheque to the address on the V5C, usually within 6 to 8 weeks.
SellingUsed Car Selling Scams: How to Sell Safely
The used car selling scams that catch out UK sellers most, from fake transfers to overpayment traps, and the one habit that stops nearly all of them.
BuyingUsed Car Checklist Before Buying: The Walkaround and Test Drive
The used car checks that actually catch problems before you buy: a panel by panel walkaround, the documents to verify, and what to test on the drive itself.
BuyingFree HPI Check: What It Shows, and What Stays Paid
A full HPI check isn't free, it usually runs a few pounds to around twenty. Here's what gov.uk gives you at no cost, and the two things only a paid check can confirm.
BuyingHow to Negotiate a Used Car Price: What Actually Works
Negotiating a used car price works best with numbers, not charm. Here's the method: a target price set in advance, faults costed out, and what to say when the seller won't move.
BuyingBest First Cars With Cheap Insurance in the UK
Low insurance group picks under budget for new drivers: which cars actually cost less to insure, and the group numbers that matter more than the badge.
BuyingCat N and Cat S Cars: Are They Worth Buying?
A Cat N or Cat S write off can sell for 20 to 40% under market. Here's the real risk buyers miss, and how to spot a genuine bargain before you commit.
SellingSORN and Scrap Car Certificate of Destruction UK
You don't need a SORN to scrap a car through an authorised ATF, but skip the Certificate of Destruction and you're still liable for tax and fines.
SellingSelling a Car With an Old Address on Your V5C
An old address on the V5C doesn't stop a private sale. The new keeper still gets registered, but your tax refund and any DVLA post can go missing.
SellingSelling a Car With Outstanding Finance: What's Actually Legal
You don't legally own a financed car until it's settled. Here's how to sell it anyway, either by clearing the balance first or as part of the sale.
BuyingBuying an Ex-Lease or Ex-Fleet Car: Is It Worth It
Ex-fleet cars come with strict servicing and full history, and high motorway mileage often beats low urban mileage. Here's what to check before buying.
SellingCan I Sell a Car Without an MOT? The Rules Explained
Selling a car with no valid MOT is legal if you advertise it clearly, but the buyer can't legally drive it home. Here's how to do it right.
BuyingFree Recall Check Before Buying a Used Car (UK Guide)
Run a free DVSA recall check by registration or VIN before you buy. A recall follows the car, not the previous owner, so it becomes your problem on day one.
BuyingCloned Number Plate Check Before Buying a Used Car
A cloned car wears a genuine plate that hides a different vehicle underneath. Here's the five minute VIN and DVLA check that catches it before you pay.
SellingKeeping a Private Plate When You Sell Your Car
Sell a car with a private plate still on it and the plate goes with the vehicle. Here's the V317 retention process that keeps it, and what it costs.
ValuationCar Valuation for Probate UK: What HMRC Actually Needs
HMRC asks for a defensible open market value at the date of death, not a paid appraisal. Here's how to value a car for probate and when to pay for one.
BuyingMOT Advisory Items When Buying a Used Car: Worry or Not
A handful of MOT advisories usually means honest upkeep, not a warning sign. Here's which ones are safety critical, which are cosmetic, and how to use them to negotiate.
ValuationDoes Service History Affect Car Value? What Actually Matters
A blank service history knocks far more off a car's price than most sellers expect. Here's the real gap, what closes it, and what buyers check first.
BuyingBuying Back Your Written Off Car: Is It Worth It?
The buy back price on a written off car isn't negotiable, it's a fixed cut of the insurer's valuation. Here's how to work out if taking it pays off.
ValuationCar Valuation for Divorce Settlement UK: What Counts as Evidence
Courts don't require a paid dealer appraisal for an ordinary car in a divorce. Here's what counts as evidence, and where the real disputes actually happen.
ValuationDiminished Value After a Car Accident UK: Can You Claim?
A repaired car can lose resale value after a crash, but your own comprehensive policy won't pay it. Here's who actually pays, and why most claims fail.
SellingVoluntary Termination on Car Finance: Hand the Car Back
Once you've paid half the total payable under PCP or HP, Section 99 lets you hand the car back and owe nothing more. Here's the real maths behind it.
BuyingRight to Reject a Faulty Used Car: The 30 Day Rule Explained
The Consumer Rights Act gives you 30 days to reject a faulty used car for a full refund, but only against a dealer. Here's what applies and what doesn't.