Buying your first car? Used car buying guide for beginners in the UK - Detailed. 

I took some notes below: Finding a car: 1. Age is more important than mileage. Age kills the car more than driving it (especially motorway driving is light on the car). 2. Better to get a more expensive but newer and reliable car even if it's on instalments the interest will be cheaper than repairs. 3. Full-service history is very important. 4. Find a car online rather than going to a garage. You will have much more options. (For example, auto trader) Preparation: 1. Keep £50 a month to cover for unexpected repairs, £100 would be even better. 2. Cam belt replacement is important. You can find it in the manufacturer’s recommendation. 3. MOT is different than servicing. MOT is checking whether essential bits in the car work. Servicing is replacing some bits in the car for longevity. 4. Bring someone along that knows what he is doing. To make sure you’re not buying a lemon (I had to google that one XD). 5. Check MOT history of the car online. Check whether the faults have been fixed. Car Checks: 1. Check for oily mess in the engine. Oil Filler cap shouldn’t be white form the inside. (Tiny bit is ok). Dip stick also should be black. 2. Check fluid levels. Mainly coolant, oil and brakes. 3. Check suspension by bouncing corners of the car. Car should settle quickly. 4. Exhausts shouldn’t have black oil when starting the car. 5. Windscreen shouldn’t have cracks. 6. Try windscreen wipers and jets. 7. Check tyres for wear. You might need to replace them soon. 8. Brake disks should be clean after driving for 5 mins. 9. Look at lower edge of the car around the body to see if there is any rust. 10. Paint on bumper might mean it had a repair. You might want to know how big the repair was. 11. Panel gaps should be even. Between the door and the body, between the boot and the body. Uneven gaps might be caused by uneven chassis after an accident. 12. Check oil leaks under the car. 13. Make sure you have the locking wheel nut. Otherwise, you can make any repairs on the wheels. Test Drive: 1. Make sure you are comfortable. Driving position feels good for you. 2. Try all the buttons and screens etc. make sure everything is working. Check glove box closes. Check rear sensors by driving backwords close to an object. 3. Handbrake shouldn’t be too high. 4. Try all the gear. They should be working. Make sure you try reverse as well. 5. Clutch shouldn’t be too firm or too high. If it is then it might need replacing soon. 6. Listen to noises while driving. Rev engine and check for weird sounds. Suspension shouldn’t make metallic sounds on bump. 7. Braking should pull the car to one side. 8. Check warning lights on the dashboard. Transferring ownership: 1. Tax is not transferrable. You have to tax the car when you get it. (Google: tax my car). Section 10 in the V5C form should be helpful to do this. 2. Get insurance: if you’re at fault, third party pays only for the other person car, comprehensive pays for your car as well. 3. Cheaper insurance: Adding 2 older people to your insurance might reduce your premium. Increasing your excess will reduce your premium (Excess is what you pay every time you make a claim). Pay insurance yearly instead of monthly. 4. V5C form has who is responsible for the car. Make sure the seller has one. Fill out section 6 to register it in your name. both should sign section 8. The person selling the car is responsible to send it to the DVLA. Take section 10 with you when you buy the car. Good luck.

i don't even have a license yet n m here 😅

Thank you for your videos, I was a driver in Venezuela and I had to take lessons to present the test here in the UK; and your videos were a great additional resource to help me understand the different rules.

Another tip is check both number plates: if they both say, for example, 'General Motors' at the bottom, then it's a good indication that the car hasn't been in a head-on collision or been rear-ended.

As an American I still watch and love these videos because they're a gold mine of information. Thanks Richard! You help so many people.

Oh my god I was literally just looking at cars yesterday, this couldn’t have come at a more perfect time Thankyou!!

I passed my test 2 days ago with 2 minors! (watching this guys videos in the upcoming days to my test really helped) and i can’t believe i’m here watching this video, insurance is scary but i’m in disbelief and grateful to be able to be worrying about it 😅good luck everyone!

Can’t believe I passed and finally got here! I had to relearn a lot in a relatively short time and your videos were class, could easily watch 20-30min videos w ease. Your anxiety videos especially helped me understand myself and driving more🫡 . You’re top class fella and teacher!

Thinking of buying my first car at the moment, thanks so much for this video Richard.

This is such a useful video. I barely knew anything about buying a used car but this video has given me so much confidence and also cleared up some of the jargon that confused me. 😀

I’ve got my test in just over a week and I’m starting to look at cars, this was super helpful and easy to understand, I’ve been watching your other videos as well in preparation. I just wanted to say thank you so much for helping so many confused people (like me). x

WoW this is very helpful. Keep doing what you are doing mate because you are very good in helping people.

Thanks Mr Flanders Really helpful All your passion and dedication to everyone needing your help and knowledge. Lot of thanks from deep of my heart

No shortcuts, thorough, simple. Thank you.

JUST BRILLIANT! and what I exactly needed before going for the test drive. Thank you very much!

Finally a buyers guide that goes through everything without requiring you to have the knowledge of a freakin mechanic like all the other guides.

Probably the most informative video in relation to buying your first car after getting the license in UK even though its years old, thank you!

I Passed my driving yesterday, a big thank you to yourself also my driving instructor. Looking to buy my first car.

I passed my test today and this video is really going to help me when car shopping. Thank you! Really crisp and clear explanation's, with plenty of knowledge to back it up, good job.

Excellent video with clear explanations and great tips! Thanks

I would rather save up 3000 instead of paying 100 a month In my opinion

Another great video! Thanks, very useful, I'm sure I'll come back to this again one day!

Passed my test at first attempt today!!! Your videos helped me a lot before the test, and now this one's going to help me for my car hunting. Thanks a bunch!!!

Passed my test yesterday! 🥳 Thank you for all your videos!! I’m still watching after this!!

This is a very informative and great video just what I needed as I’ve started to look for my first car and know next to nothing about them!. Keep up the good work

Love all your videos. Helped me on my learning journey. Really grateful

Well... I already have my own car since almost 4 months but I'll take for sure all these good tips.

Thank you for doing this- it was very helpful and exactly what I needed!

Absolutely brilliant video. The MOT place I took the car to the other day left the wheel nut on the passenger seat. I almost threw it away as thought it was just a bit of their kit they'd left by mistake. Glad you mentioned it in the video! Also the stuff about the mileage is golden knowledge thanks.

bloody brilliant video my friend - im a first time buyer and this is wonderful

Thank you so much. This is exactly what I am after recently. Thank you.

Wow this is alot to take in.Quite comprehensive and detailed. I learnt a lot from this and will defintely take the information from here to decide what car to buy

I will download this video for my future reference. And it deserves on a video gallery at my home.

Thank you alot for this video im currently looking at cars mainly used cars from car dealerships for the past few months

I just passed my driving test today! Your videos have been so helpful. Thank you so much!!♥️♥️♥️

Thank you very much for sharing with us this information . I do know anything about a car but I want to buy a car and your information helps me what to look when you buy a car.

passed yesterday your videos defitnely helped and your the best on youtube im staying subscribed! wish you the best!!

Thanks for your time... I like your arguments and suggestions...

i really wish i had such comprehensive and eloquent guides specific to my country.

Thanks for this, been learning to drive for a while and my instructor recommended me to get a cheap car to practice in before my test. I look forward to the days I no longer have to take the bus.

am about to check out a car to uy on Sunday... all of the stuff mentioned is very useful! thanks!

Thank you very much for this super informative video :) Can you please start a small 'Car review' series? The way you explain everything in each of your videos is excellent and I am sure we all would love to have your inputs on different cars. Thank you!

Another tip, check what monthly payments you can get with less interest. Finance options with dealerships take interest and commision, so you may find the banks like nationwide offer better rates on the amount you would borrow from dealerships

I passed my test this week and received my license in the same week as well (yesterday). I’m still so overjoyed. Someone told me recently when you start driving and pass it’s like having a new born baby. I’m so thrilled. Waiting to save up and buy a car. Got to be patient.

Brilliant video straight to the point

Just passed my test this week so this is a super useful video to by my first car. Thanks so much 😄👍

I love this man. He's so helpful. ❤

Passed my driving test today second attempt luckily 15 minors so just made it but a part of it I think was due to some of your videos now looking at cars to buy and what to look for I'm 26 so abit late to the game but oh well. Thanks for the videos

Very well explained my dear, thank you. God bless you…!!

This video is so helpful, thank you so much!

I passed my test a few days ago and am very grateful for your videos. They have helped me immensely so thank you! I have just stumbled across this video which I am looking forward to watching as tbh I have no idea what I'm looking at when it comes to cars. I will continue to watch your videos as I still have a lot to learn, so thanks again!

This video is a god send, so clear, thankyou

I really enjoy your videos ! Thank you :)

Thanks for that Richard! very helpful ☺

Buying from a dealer is always safer than buying from another owner, because you engage all the consumer law protections that comes with it. If it turns out the car has a defect that you missed, for example, the dealer is legally obligated to make the necessary repairs, offer you a partial refund, or you can return it for a full refund. Also remember to check the sound system. My Mazda had a rattling problem in the speakers, took it back to the dealer and they replaced it completely free of charge. That's something you can't get from a private seller after purchase, but you can certainly use it to knock several hundred pounds off from the price!

I think you have to consider car brand to determine reliability. There are plenty of new BMW's that will break down faster than an old Honda or Toyota

This was such a valuable video and a life saver!

Very useful tips, thanks!

3 months after I bought my first car, this video pops up. I bought a Mazda 3 sedan 2005 ex export car which needed exterior work and some other stuff done. Plus side: bought her dead cheap and she got fixed up, runs smoothly and I trust the car.

Hi there you are my favourite, keep it up your driving lessons.

Very helpful, thank you for this video!

amazing overview! thank you so much

Appreciate your efforts in making very informative vedio. Thank u

Your video is really helpful, thanks.

Thanks for your information :) very helpful.

i bought a 20 year old car with 15,000 miles that had been garage stored, so had no rust or anything, for £600. This sounds like a good deal but I of course had to change the cambelt, tyres and the gearbox selector shaft seal as they were all original. I don't mind this as I did it all myself apart from the tyres and don't mind mending stuff. I think mileage is more important than age but I do agree with you that older cars can be more unreliable as stuff like rubber seals and boots wear out more based on time than mileage. Interesting to hear your thoughts from being a car dealer. Great video as always :) Edit- I would've been more hesitant if the miles were spread evenly over the 20 years but it had done 14,000 by 2004 and then was used rarely until 2008 when the elderly man who owned it died and the car was left in a garage undiscovered until early this year. All the fluids and belts were changed (apart from the gearbox as it is 'sealed') and it sailed through MOT with no advisories first time. I thought this was a great deal but i guess only time will tell:). I also am not a fan of newer cars so I got a car I wanted that i can keep for thousands of miles without worrying about anything major wearing out like the body engine etc. edit 2- full service history too :)

I saw the summary video of your very helpful just passed thank you again

This is great info I honestly had no idea I knew tyre dread was 1.6 but honestly had no idea what it was

I bought my first car at the weekend, 2013 SEAT Ibiza Toca 1.4 Petrol, ive had loads of fun so far

You are a talented teacher !

Great video, so informative. Wish I'd seen before my first car. Peugeot 207 from 2011. Cost 1500 and then 4k in repairs over 12 months. BS scam advertising but i should of done more due diligence. What a waste. Learnt some stuff though, as well as this video i did my own oil and oil filter change recently. That fixed an oil pressure issue i was having. Super happy and surprised it fixed the issue. I mean the warning isnt coming up, garage was going to try the fuel pump! So my 50 DIY saved me a lot. Gettig shot of this car, know better now so should be able to get better.

This is so helpful!!! Thank you

I passed my test this week, and even managed it with no faults! Your channel has been brilliant and I've learnt so much, so thank you! I also have much more to learn, so please keep the great work up, I will continue to watch your videos 🚕🚗

4:55 This reminds me of my dad's 1999 Type R it was going strong when he got it in 2012 but 10 years later it was starting to show it's age even though he did look after it.

Thank you for such an informative video

Thanks very much for your video, They are very helpful..

Very informative !

Really helpful video. thanks!

looking forward to see you upload more video about reliable and low cost car for learner driver 🙏🙏.

great video thank you so much

this video is very informative ... Thank you

Thank you so much. Helpful indeed

Thank you very very much for your video!!!!

Thanks for sharing it with us

First I want to thank you for your videos .👍. Can you please make a video on if it's ok or when we can start from still in second gear !

You can also go to a dealer you trust, give them your budget and they'll do rest of the work for you. They will likely charge you extra for the search but you know it will run.

Thank you! Legend !!!

a great video! thank you!

Awwww thankyou so much ☺️❤️

Thanks for all the tips! Very useful for first-time buyers like myself :) Do you mind doing a video about buying a brand new car instead?

=) I am obsess with mileages when choosing a used car. After watching this video, a 5 years old car with high mileage and good service history might a better choice rather than a car which is seldomly driven. 😶 Thanks anyway.. Good ahead sir..

Excellent video

You are so nice man.. keep going

Thank you! Planning to buy a car at 17 😄😄

Thanks very much!

This is such a great video. I am in the process i’ve trying to get a car but it is hard with lockdown I’m trying to get a good deal for my garage and also making sure the car is in top condition it’s very hard when you’re not a mechanic.

Wow, what a hotrod rock machine guitar on the wall there with a Floyd Rose baby 😜

Many thanks !

Thanks you for video

The last thing that you mentioned, is only necessary for cars which have the secure bolts. I would add to that, do not buy a car that doesn't have a spare wheel. I do not trust the sealant that they put in the new cars, so you either have to drive on a flat to the tyre garage, or take the wheel off, and have another vehicle take it to the tyre place for you.