Checking a car before you buy
A short checklist for viewing a car and its documents before any money changes hands.
- Arrange a viewing through Lottraq messages so there is a record of what was agreed.
- Inspect the car in daylight and take a test drive.
- Check the documents match the car: chassis number, registration and the seller’s ID.
- Order a vehicle history report if you want an independent check of the mileage and past records.
- Only pay once you are satisfied. Never pay a deposit for a car you have not seen.
Keep the conversation on Lottraq
If a seller pushes you to move to another channel before you have seen the car, treat it as a warning sign. Messages on Lottraq help us look into a problem if something goes wrong.