Buying a used car

Hi guys,

If buying a used car on auto trader, what should we do to make sure we're not scammed? I made sure to ask the right questions over the phone and we're going for a viewing today but if we like it we really want to buy it. I'll be running an HPI check on the licence plate before we go. I just am always paranoid that we're going to be scammed and the owner will maybe report the car as stolen after we pay (I have 0 trust in most people).

I've written out a reciept and will make sure to send off the correct section of the V5 to the dvla. Is that all I can do really?

Any help appreciated.

Yes, that's about all you can do.  When we sold a car recently, we collectively wrote out a receipt that said he bought the car for such and such amount of money effective immediately and that it was sold as is so he couldn't come back to us if something went wrong.   There will be a part of the V5 the seller sends in and a part the buyer sends in.  Just make sure the seller signs his part in your presence.

Yes, that's about all you can do.  When we sold a car recently, we collectively wrote out a receipt that said he bought the car for such and such amount of money effective immediately and that it was sold as is so he couldn't come back to us if something went wrong.   There will be a part of the V5 the seller sends in and a part the buyer sends in.  Just make sure the seller signs his part in your presence.

thank you very much.