You saved thousands for your first car. Don’t guess your way through buying it.
CarGrad is a step-by-step UK guide to choosing, checking and buying your first used car, with 8 printable checklists to take to every viewing.
You saved the money. Now protect it.
Buying your first car may be the biggest purchase you’ve ever made. You might have spent months, maybe years, putting away £3,000, £4,000 or £5,000 to make it happen. And if you’re honest, you don’t know that much about cars.
Most importantly, you don’t want months of saving to disappear because of one bad decision.
CarGrad gives you a process to follow before you hand over the money.
- You don’t want to buy a lemon.
- You don’t want to discover a £1,500 problem two weeks later.
- You don’t want to be pressured by a seller.
- You don’t want to miss something because you didn’t know what to check.
Eight chapters, in the order you’ll need them
From working out what you can really afford to your first month as an owner. You don’t need to be a mechanic. You need to know what to check, what to ask and when to stop.
- Know your real budgetInsurance, running costs and your walk-away number
- Finding the right carAdverts, mileage, MOT history, service history and write-offs
- Check before you travelOfficial checks, history checks, finance, recalls and VIN basics
- The sellerDealer vs private, the questions to ask and spotting pressure
- Viewing the carPaperwork, tyres, bodywork, under the bonnet and warning lights
- The test driveWhat to listen for, feel for and test as a beginner
- Before you payFinal checks, negotiating, paying safely and walking away
- You bought itV5C, tax, insurance and your first month
The Toolkit: checklists you actually use
Print them, or keep them open on your phone while you shop. Use a fresh set for every car you look at.
- My first-car budget
- Car advert quick check
- Questions to ask the seller
- Before-I-travel checklist
- Viewing checklist
- Test-drive checklist
- Before-you-pay checklist
- First 24 hours checklist
“The last ten minutes are where you protect the money you spent months saving.”
Before any money moves, CarGrad has you stop and check the car, the seller, the paperwork, any outstanding finance, how you’re paying, your receipt, insurance and tax. And whether you’re genuinely happy to go ahead.
Walking away costs you an afternoon. The wrong car can cost you everything you saved.
Is CarGrad right for you?
It’s for you if
- You’re buying your first used car in the UK
- You’re buying from a dealer or a private seller
- You’ve saved a few thousand pounds and want to protect it
- You don’t know much about cars and want a clear process
It’s not
- A mechanical inspection. It helps you decide when to get one
- A guarantee about any particular car
- Personal financial or legal advice
Questions
I’m not a car person. Will I understand it?
Yes. It’s written in plain English for first-time buyers, with a glossary of the terms sellers and adverts use. You don’t need any mechanical knowledge.
How do I get the guide?
Pay securely at checkout and the PDF downloads straight away. You’ll also get an email with your download link.
Can I read it on my phone?
Yes. It works on any phone, tablet or computer. The checklists can be printed or kept open on your phone at a viewing.
Does it cover dealers and private sellers?
Yes. It explains the difference, what to ask each one and how your position can differ depending on who you buy from.
Can I see inside before I buy?
Yes. The free sample includes the contents, the introduction, the start of Chapter 1 and the Toolkit overview. Read the free sample.
