Motofly

Used car guides

Everything you need to buy or sell a used car in the UK with confidence: MOT history, tax, private sales, write-offs, electric cars and more. Written in plain English, checked against official DVLA and DVSA guidance, and updated as the rules change.

Buying

Full service history explained — what FSH means and why it matters

Full service history (FSH) means a car's servicing is recorded from new. Learn what counts, how to check it, and when a missing cambelt change matters.

6 min read
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Buying

How to Test Drive a Used Car in the UK — What to Listen, Feel and Check

How to test drive a used car: what to check, how long to drive, which noises signal trouble and whether you are insured to drive a private seller's car.

7 min read
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Buying

Used car scams in the UK — 10 warning signs and how to stay safe

How to avoid car buying scams in the UK. Learn the 10 warning signs, what a cloned car is, why you should never pay a deposit unseen, and the safest way to pay.

7 min read
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Buying

How to spot a clocked car — mileage fraud checks that work

Learn how to spot a clocked car in the UK. Check MOT history for mileage drops, match service records, and read wear signs before you pay for a used car.

6 min read
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Buying

Best first car for new drivers UK — cheap to insure, run and fix

The best first car for a new driver in the UK: how insurance groups work, what to look for, ways to cut young driver insurance and whether a black box is worth it.

6 min read
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Ownership

Car tax (VED) bands explained: how much will a used car cost?

Car tax bands explained: how UK vehicle tax (VED) is worked out by registration date, what the expensive car supplement is, and who pays when you buy.

6 min read
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Buying

Petrol vs diesel vs hybrid vs electric — which used car should you buy?

Petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric used car? Compare running costs, DPF problems, town vs motorway use and VED to pick the right fuel type for you.

6 min read
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Selling

How much is my car worth? How to value a used car in the UK

Learn how to value a used car in the UK, why part-exchange, private-sale and dealer prices differ, and what actually moves the price up or down.

6 min read
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Buying

V5C logbook explained — what to check and how to transfer ownership

What a V5C logbook shows, how to spot a fake, and how to tell the DVLA about a sale so ownership transfers to the new keeper correctly.

6 min read
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Buying

How to check if a used car has outstanding finance before you buy

How to check for outstanding car finance before buying, what happens if you buy a car with finance on it, and whether the finance company can take it back.

5 min read
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Ownership

Car failed its MOT? What happens next, retest rules and costs explained

Your car failed its MOT. Here is what the defect grades mean, whether you can still drive it, retest rules and typical costs to get it through.

6 min read
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Buying

Cat S and Cat N cars explained — should you buy a written-off car?

What the insurance write-off categories A, B, S and N actually mean, how much cheaper a Cat S or Cat N car should be, and the extra checks to run before buying one.

3 min read
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Ownership

How to check if a car is taxed (and what happens if it isn't)

Check any UK car's tax and MOT status for free in seconds, understand SORN, and learn why tax no longer transfers when you buy a used car.

2 min read
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Buying

How to check a car's MOT history in the UK (free, in 60 seconds)

Every MOT test since 2005 is on public record. Here is how to read a car's full MOT history, what the advisories really mean, and the red flags that should stop a purchase.

3 min read
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Selling

How to sell your car privately in the UK — pricing, photos, paperwork and payment

Sell your car privately for more than a dealer will offer. How to price it, take photos that get clicks, handle viewings safely, take payment and complete the DVLA paperwork.

3 min read
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Buying

HPI check vs MOT history — which checks do you actually need before buying a used car?

A free MOT history check and a paid vehicle history (HPI-style) check answer different questions. Here is what each one covers, what neither covers, and when to spend the money.

2 min read
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Buying

Private seller vs dealer — where should you buy your used car?

Dealers cost more but give you legal protection and a warranty. Private sales are cheaper but "sold as seen". How to decide, and how to protect yourself either way.

2 min read
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Buying

Used car buying checklist for the UK — 25 things to check before you pay

The complete checklist for buying a used car in the UK. Paperwork, history checks, the walk-round inspection, the test drive and what to agree before money changes hands.

3 min read
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Buying

Buying a used electric car in the UK — battery health, charging and what to check

Used EVs are now some of the best-value cars on the market. Here is how to check battery health, understand charging, read the warranty and avoid the mistakes first-time EV buyers make.

3 min read
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Ready to find your next car?

Every Motofly listing shows live tax status, full MOT history and a market price guide, so you can put these guides to work.

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