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Practical UK vehicle buying, ownership and registration guidance from REGUP.

Test driving a used car guide infographic showing insurance requirements, a 20–30 minute route plan, and key checks to identify vehicle problems before buying.
buying guide•8 min read•

Test Driving a Used Car: Insurance, Route and What to Listen For

Sort insurance first, then drive for 20 to 30 minutes across town roads, a rough surface, a hill and a faster road. Includes UK insurance rules, a route plan and a fault checklist.

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Buying a car online in the UK: four checks before committing to a purchase
buying guide•9 min read•

Buying a Car Online: How to Verify, Pay and Protect Yourself

Buying a car online removes the inspection, so verification has to do the work. Here is how to check the vehicle, pay with recourse and use your 14 day cancellation right.

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Driving after an MOT failure rules showing when a vehicle can and cannot legally be driven
buying guide•10 min read•

Driving After an MOT Failure: What the Rules Actually Allow

Failing an MOT does not automatically make your car illegal to drive. What matters is whether your previous MOT certificate is still valid and whether the tester recorded a dangerous defect. This guide explains the rules, retest fees, early testing and the penalties for getting it wrong.

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Used Car Consumer Rights infographic cover showing a blue used car between a car dealer showroom and a private sale sign, explaining dealer vs private sale rights in the UK.
buying guide•10 min read•

Used Car Consumer Rights: What You Can Claim, and From Whom

Your legal rights when a used car is faulty. Consumer Rights Act timeframes for dealer purchases, what applies to private sales, and how to complain.

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UK car sale documents on a desk including a V5C registration certificate, car sale receipt, MOT certificate, car key, and phone showing keeper change completed
buying guide•10 min read•

Car Sale Documents: V5C, Receipts and Transferring Ownership

Every document needed to buy or sell a car in the UK — what the V5C proves, how to complete the transfer, and what a signed receipt must contain to protect both parties.

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Buyer checking a vehicle report on a phone beside a blue used car, with check, compare and decide steps.
buying guide•11 min read•

Used Car Buying Guide UK: Checks, Steps and Decisions

A complete used car buying guide for UK buyers. What to check, in what order, which records matter most, and how to make the buying decision on evidence.

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How to Check Road Tax on a Car by Registration (UK)
buying guide•3 min read•

How to Check Road Tax on a Car by Registration (UK)

Check if a car is taxed by registration using DVLA records. Learn what road tax status means, what happens if tax lapses, and how to check before buying.

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Cat S vs Cat N car write-off categories explained in the UK
buying guide•4 min read•

Should You Buy a Cat S or Cat N Car? What Write-Off Categories Mean

Cat S means structural damage and Cat N means non-structural damage. Both can be legally repaired and sold, but the risks differ. Here is how to decide.

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UK number plate check showing MOT history, tax status, mileage, finance, vehicle identity and valuation
buying guide•3 min read•

Number Plate Check: What Can You Find Out from a Registration?

A number plate check uses a UK registration to look up vehicle details, MOT history, tax status and other recorded information. It is the starting point for any used car check and takes seconds. Enter the registration to see what is available for the vehicle before you go any further.

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Check previous owners of a car in the UK with a keeper history timeline and REGUP vehicle history check
buying guide•3 min read•

How to Check Previous Owners of a Car by Registration (UK)

Learn how to check how many previous owners a car has had, what keeper history means, and why the number of owners matters when buying a used car.

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ULEZ check by registration showing compliant and non-compliant cars in London
buying guide•2 min read•

ULEZ Check: Is My Car Compliant? How to Check by Registration

Check if your car is ULEZ compliant by entering your registration. Covers emission standards, the daily charge, and Clean Air Zones outside London.

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1. How to check if a car is stolen before buying a used vehicle with stolen checks, VIN verification and ownership checks
Stolen Car Check•4 min read•

How to Check If a Car Is Stolen Before You Buy It

How to check if a used car is stolen before you buy. Learn the warning signs, how stolen vehicle checks work, and what happens if you unknowingly buy one.

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