Paperwork
Verify the seller’s identity and right to sell, and the VIN on the papers and on the car. Make sure there are no liens or wanted flags. Avoid buying on a power of attorney unless you are sure the scheme is legal.
Body and interior
Look at panel gaps, paint colour and thickness, and repair traces. Inside, test every button, check the airbags and sniff for damp.
Engine and suspension
Cold start, no knocks or smoke, fluid levels and colour. On the test drive, pay attention to the brakes, gearbox and how the suspension handles bumps.
Diagnostics and independent inspection
Take the car to a workshop you choose, not one the seller recommends. A scan and a lift give more information than a roadside look.
The deal
Sign the contract at an official service centre. Don’t hand over money before the paperwork, and afterwards only against signed documents.