Warranty
You may want to consider a warranty to cover your used car against mechanical faults. A motor trader will offer you a warranty or try and achieve a higher price for the car by saying a warranty is included, but you're not obliged to take their recommendation.
Note: always check a warranty's small print to see exactly what's covered.
Breakdown Cover
Whether you're after just roadside assistance or a comprehensive package that includes home breakdown callout, you can find great deals on breakdown cover here.
Register Car with the DVLA
The buyer is only required to do this if the seller has an old style two-part registration document (V5). Take the top half of the document and forward it to the DVLA as soon as possible. With a three-part V5 document or a modern V5C registration certificate, it's the seller's responsibility to inform the DVLA.
Get a Valid MOT Certificate
All UK cars over three years old must possess an MOT certificate to be road legal, and certificates are valid for one year. MOTs can be carried out at over 18,000 authorised garages in the UK (look for the three triangle symbol), and the cost of the test should not exceed £50.35 (at the time of writing) for an average car.
Note: An MOT certificate does not guarantee that a car is roadworthy, merely that the car was roadworthy enough to pass the test on the day it was submitted.
Tax the Car
You can apply for a tax disc online, at the post office or by phoning 0870 850 4444. To apply for a new tax disc, you'll need:
- V10 Vehicle licence application
- Your Registration Certificate
- Insurance certificate or cover note
- Valid MOT certificate if the car is over three years old
- The correct fee
Next: A Brief Guide to Consumer Rights When Buying a Car
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