Skip advert
Advertisement

Buyers' essential used tips

We team up with an RAC specialist to reveal eight essential tips for anyone buying a car second-hand

Everyone knows you need to check the clutch and brakes on a potential second-hand buy. But how do you actually do it? Identifying problem areas is the easy bit; examining them prop­erly is a job for the experts.

That’s why we’ve enlisted the help of John Gregory, a technical advisor at the RAC. He’s been with the breakdown firm for 25 years: first as a patrolman, then as a vehicle inspector. John takes us through eight essential checks for any used purchase.

Advertisement - Article continues below

See our RAC expert talk you through the used car checklist in video

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,644 off RRP*Used from £9,295
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £27,005Avg. savings £9,350 off RRP*Used from £9,995
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £4,213 off RRP*Used from £10,995
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,603 off RRP*
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Volkswagen Transporter Sportline brings GTI style to the van world
Volkswagen Transporter Sportline - front

New Volkswagen Transporter Sportline brings GTI style to the van world

The new Volkswagen Transporter Sportline gets a choice of diesel, plug-in hybrid and electric power
News
4 Feb 2026
Some Chinese car brands are doomed to disappear, warns Skoda boss
Skoda Kodiaq - front cornering

Some Chinese car brands are doomed to disappear, warns Skoda boss

Skoda’s sales and marketing boss warns “there will be a consolidation” of the number of Chinese car brands around
News
3 Feb 2026
Government spends £4.7 million on Ford Pumas, helping electric SUV top the sales charts
Ford Puma Gen-E - front tracking

Government spends £4.7 million on Ford Pumas, helping electric SUV top the sales charts

Over 1,200 Ford Puma Gen-E models were registered in January, each eligible for the £3,750 Government grant
News
5 Feb 2026