Used car buyer's checklist

Ask these by message

Four questions can save you a wasted trip:

• What is the mileage and is the odometer original?
• How long is the inspection valid, and what was noted last time?
• Is there hire-purchase debt or any other encumbrance that restricts transfer?
• Why are you selling?

Ask for the answers in Vaihtokaista messages or otherwise in writing. Keep the listing and the messages: they help show what the seller said. Do not send personal identity numbers publicly or unnecessarily in the conversation.

Check background information

Tarkista auton tiedot Traficomista rekisteritunnuksella tai VIN-numerolla. Tekniset tiedot, katsastustiedot ja verotiedot ovat maksuttomia; omistaja- ja historiatiedot voivat olla maksullisia.

Compare the mileage with the available inspection history and service documents. A lower reading or other inconsistency needs explaining. By itself, that does not prove tampering: it may also be due to an odometer change or a recording error.

Check for unpaid vehicle tax and any driving ban. Make sure the seller is the owner or has the owner's permission to sell. A car owned by a finance company is not treated as an ordinary debt-free private car.

Take someone with you

Another person may notice things you could miss when excited. If you are not familiar with cars, take an experienced friend or ask for a professional assessment.

Look at the car in daylight and when dry

Wet surfaces and darkness hide scratches, rust and paintwork. Arrange to view it in daylight and allow enough time.

Body

• Rust: sills, wheel arch edges, lower tailgate edge, door sills and underbody. Also check underneath the car safely.
• Paintwork and accident repairs: differences in panel shade, uneven gaps and paint on seals.
• Glass: chips, cracks and any replacements. A replaced windscreen alone does not prove an accident, so ask why.

Interior

• Does the wear on the steering wheel, gear lever and seat match the stated mileage? Wear is a clue, not a sure measure.
• Moisture and mould: check the mats and the boot floor. Find out why there is water or a smell.
• Test electrical functions: windows, mirrors, heating, air conditioning, lights and dashboard warning lights.

Engine bay and underbody

• Oil leaks around the engine and transmission and under the car.
• Coolant level and appearance, and the oil level. Do not open a hot cooling system.
• Battery age and the condition of the terminals.
• Tyre tread, damage and the DOT date code showing when they were made. Also assess ageing: tread depth alone does not tell you the tyre's condition.

Cold start

Ask that the car is not warmed up beforehand. A cold start can reveal noises and smoke you would not notice when warm. If the car is warm when you arrive, ask why.

Test drive

Make sure you have a driving licence, that you are allowed to drive, and that insurance is in place. If possible, drive for at least 15 minutes at different speeds and also try a higher speed in a safe place.

• Brakes: the car stops straight and the pedal or the car does not vibrate abnormally.
• Steering: the car drives straight and the steering feels smooth.
• Transmission: automatic gear changes are smooth; in a manual, the clutch does not slip.
• Suspension: listen for rattles on uneven surfaces and other unusual noises.

VIN

Check the VIN on the car and compare it with the registration details. The number is often found at the bottom of the windscreen, in the engine bay or on the door pillar. An unexplained discrepancy or an altered-looking identifier is a reason to stop the deal.

Condition inspection

If the price is significant or the condition seems doubtful, arrange an inspection at a garage or inspection station before buying. Ask for the price and what the inspection includes in advance: the cost depends on the service.

If the seller does not agree to a reasonable inspection, find out why and consider whether you want to take the risk.

What to include in the bill of sale

Draw up the bill of sale in two copies and record:

• The seller's and buyer's identification details and contact information.
• Make, model, registration number and VIN.
• Mileage and any uncertainty about the true mileage.
• Sale price and payment method.
• Faults mentioned by the seller and other condition information.
• Transfer date, time and signatures.

A precise description protects both parties. It helps show what the buyer knew and what was agreed about the car's condition. Keep the documents and messages.

Payment

Confirm the car exists, the seller's identity and the right to sell before paying. A bank transfer leaves a record, but even that does not by itself guarantee a safe deal. Do not pay in advance for a car you have not seen to an unknown seller.

Vaihtokaista does not handle car sale payments and is not a party to the deal. Be wary of payment links or claims that the service guarantees payment. Payment for a financed car is handled in the way agreed with the finance company.

Change of ownership and insurance

Take out your own motor insurance preferably on the day of purchase and make sure you are insured before driving. In certain situations, the previous owner's insurance cover continues for seven days, but you should not rely on this without checking the situation.

Submit the change of ownership to Traficom within seven days of the sale. Responsibility for registration lies with the buyer, not the listing service.

Kun ostat yritykseltä kuluttajana, sinulla on kuluttajansuojalain mukaiset oikeudet. Vaatimukset osoitetaan myyjälle. Etä- ja kotimyynnissä peruuttamisaika on yleensä 14 päivää auton vastaanottamisesta; pelkkä ilmoituksen löytäminen verkosta ei tee kaupasta etämyyntiä.

Sales between private individuals are governed by the Sale of Goods Act. There is no right of cancellation under the Consumer Protection Act, but even a private seller may be liable for a defect. “Sold as seen” does not remove liability for misleading information or for hiding material information.

If a problem appears, notify the seller in writing as soon as possible. Keep the messages, listing, bill of sale and evidence of the car's fault.

• Ask for the mileage, inspection, encumbrances and reason for sale in writing.
• Compare the mileage with the available history.
• Inspect it in daylight and take someone with you.
• Cold start, test drive, and checking the underbody and rust.
• Confirm the VIN and the seller's right to sell the car.
• Consider a condition inspection before buying.
• Record the mileage and the faults mentioned in the bill of sale.
• Make sure insurance is in place before driving and register the change of ownership in time.
• Do not pay in advance for a car you have not seen to an unknown seller.