{"id":4999,"date":"2021-09-19T21:40:21","date_gmt":"2021-09-19T21:40:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carexamer.com\/blog\/?p=4999"},"modified":"2026-03-12T14:58:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T14:58:07","slug":"a-guide-to-buying-a-car-on-autotrader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carexamer.com\/blog\/a-guide-to-buying-a-car-on-autotrader\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Buying a Car on AutoTrader"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span>Estimated reading time: <\/span>8<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buying a car on AutoTrader<\/a> is something the majority of car buyers have looked into at some point or another. AutoTrader is one of the largest vehicle retailers in the UK. It has a wealth of different vehicles and sellers all offering youtube cars you want at a competitive price, and the level of choice and competition makes it an incredible resource. It even acts as a database of vehicle information, whether you choose to use it or not. Truly it really is a strong tool. Always start with mot history.<\/a> The problems that come into play when buying a car from AutoTrader however are the usual issues that come with buying a car online. Mainly, that\u2019s the fact that it\u2019s online. Buying anything over the internet can be daunting, but when it\u2019s something as big and as important as a car, it matters more than ever. That\u2019s where we come in. The CarExamer team has looked at countless vehicles found on AutoTrader. Whether it\u2019s from a private seller or a dealer, we\u2019ve seen it all. This is the general advice we\u2019d give to anyone thinking about doing it. Check Gumtree<\/a>, CarGuru<\/a>, Ebay<\/a>, Motors<\/a>, Facebook marketplace<\/a>, online buying guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Find Suitable Vehicles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As with any car buying journey, the first step is with finding a car. You need to have a serious think about what you want from your next vehicle. AutoTrader can be an overwhelming place if you go in unprepared, but at the same time, it’s also a great place to see what\u2019s on the market. The really great thing about it though is the level of specificity you have available to you. You can add criteria in your search for distance, price, age, mileages, seats, transmission, make, model, doors, tax, emissions, fuel consumption\u2026 Pretty much anything you can think of to get your perfect combinations and use what matters to you the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, the best thing to do is to set your criteria. That\u2019s if you don\u2019t have a car in mind already. Have a think about what you want from a car. Maybe you want something to fit the whole family, or something economical. Maybe you want a new car that you find fun to drive. Either way, there\u2019s something for everyone. Think about the price you can afford to pay for a new car, and how old you think it should be, or how many miles it should have on it. These are all big factors that affect the price and the reliability of a vehicle, after all. Ideally, have a favourite or order you\u2019d like to use to check them out to make a decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Check Out the Seller<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you have all that done, simply pick a handful from the listings. With AutoTrader, you can pick them from sellers anywhere in the UK, or within your range to make sure they\u2019re easy to get to for you. Many dealers also have delivery, but it\u2019s still easier for viewings if they aren\u2019t too far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, you should do your homework on the seller of the car. If it\u2019s a private seller, you’re limited on what you can find out about on AutoTrader. They are listed as a private seller, without a name, and even their phone number is replaced with a number made by AutoTrader to protect them. The only thing you could do is to search google using image search and the picture of the vehicle to see if it is listed elsewhere, or copy and paste a sentence from the description into a search engine, as this will bring up other listings. Really, though, there\u2019s not much you can do other than have a conversation with the seller and find out about them this way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If they are a dealer, the standard rules apply. Check out the business online, the reviews, any websites they have etc., TrustPilot, their Autotrader reviews\u2026 Check anything you can find to make sure they are someone worth speaking to. This can help you fine-tune the selection of cars you picked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Arrange a Viewing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019re happy with the car and the dealer online, the next step when buying a car from AutoTrader is generally to arrange a viewing. Any seller should be happy for you to come and take a look at the car you\u2019re buying before you buy it. Deposits are generally not advised either, but it\u2019s a judgement call if you want them to hold the vehicle for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arrange a viewing with the seller somewhere that is safe for you both and where you will be able to properly see the car. Ideally, take it out for a test drive and make sure it\u2019s all up to scratch and what you\u2019re happy to drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also a prime time for you to inspect the car and make sure everything is as it should be. Check that the car is as described, and then check the condition of it. Look for damage or wear and tear<\/a>, and check the health of the important parts that you have access to. It\u2019s worth looking under the bonnet for the condition of the engine and to look for corrosion, rust or general damage. Paintwork and interior health can also affect the value of the car although they won\u2019t cause costly repairs like other areas will. You can also get a professional to do all of this for you, which is where services like carExamer come into play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Check the Vehicle History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As well as checking out the car physically, it\u2019s good to do your homework before you part with your cash too. That\u2019s even more important when you\u2019re buying a car from AutoTrader. Not every seller is reliable or reputable after all, and anyone can use the service. This is another reason professionals like CarExamer offer fully comprehensive car inspections<\/a> on the physical vehicle and its history alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the main areas to check here are things like the MOT history, to check the car is legal and if it has any hidden issues. The service history<\/a> is always a great thing to have as it shows the car is looked after. Without it, this can devalue the car, and you can use that to your advantage too. Previous owners can show you that the car might be troublesome too. Any outstanding finance is also a deal breaker as you can be left without your car or your money if you get on the wrong end of this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Negotiate the Sale<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After you have checked out the vehicle(s) and made your decision, the only thing left to really do is to negotiate a sale. Car sales aren\u2019t light work after all. If the seller is private, then you need to think about the process you\u2019ll use to buy the car. You can pay however you like, as AutoTrader doesn\u2019t host the sale for you. They make their money on sellers listing their cars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally speaking, the best thing to do here is to go to the seller in person, and with a contract. Dealers will do this anyway, but for private sellers, bring your own to have something binding and protect yourself. Then, do a final check of the vehicle. Make sure that you pay however is safe and comfortable for you, and make sure the current owner is able to sign the car over to you before you hand over any money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could use an escrow or holding service as a 3rd party, but this costs more money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All in all, buying a car on AutoTrader is much like anywhere else. It\u2019s an incredible tool to browse a huge selection of cars, but it is really just a  tool to find cars. To vet and buy the cars, you’re still very much on your own or at the hands of any professionals you use to manage the sale. Always make sure you protect yourself and your money when buying any car, and do all the research you can to make sure you\u2019re getting a fair and safe deal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Is AutoTrader safe for buying a used car?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No. AutoTrader is one of the largest and most used vehicle marketplaces in the UK. However, it is primarily a listing platform. Buyers should still check the vehicle history, verify the seller and inspect the car before completing the purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What should I check before buying a car on AutoTrader?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before buying a car on AutoTrader you should check the MOT history, service records, vehicle history report, seller reputation and whether there is any outstanding finance on the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you trust private sellers on AutoTrader?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No. Many private sellers are genuine, but buyers should still proceed carefully. Always view the car in person, confirm the seller is the registered keeper, verify proof of purchase or right to sell the car form the car keeper and never transfer money before verifying the vehicle and documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should I get a vehicle inspection when buying from AutoTrader?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes. A professional vehicle inspection can identify hidden mechanical problems, accident repairs or diagnostic issues that may not be visible during a basic viewing or test drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can I avoid scams when buying a car online?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To avoid scams, always meet the seller in person, verify the vehicle documents, check the VIN and history records, avoid paying large deposits online and ensure the vehicle is legally transferred before completing payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n