Buy your next used car with your eyes open.
Practical guides to buying a used car safely: HPI checks, Cat S/N write-offs, mileage fraud, outstanding finance, EV battery health and more.
Best used family SUVs to buy in 2026
Space, safety and sensible running costs — the used family SUVs that score well on reliability and value right now, and the checks to run before you buy.
Buying a used EV: the battery-health checklist
The battery is 30–40% of an EV’s value, so its health matters more than mileage. Here is how to judge a used electric car’s battery before you buy.
Outstanding finance on a used car — what it means and what to do
If a car still has finance owing, the lender — not the seller — legally owns it. Buy without checking and you could lose the car and your money. Here is how to protect yourself.
How to spot a clocked car: 7 mileage-fraud red flags
Mileage fraud — "clocking" — is more common than ever with digital odometers. These seven red flags help you catch a wound-back car before you buy.
Cat S vs Cat N write-offs explained (and should you buy one?)
Insurance write-off categories sound scary, but a Cat N or Cat S car can be a bargain — if you know what you are buying. Here is the difference and the checklist.
What is an HPI check and do you actually need one?
An HPI-style check tells you if a used car is stolen, written off, still on finance or clocked — the four things that can cost you thousands. Here is what it covers and when to run one.