The IsItAGoodCar blog.
Honest, data-led guides on buying used cars in the UK. Just the facts you need to buy with confidence.
Latest intelligence
Car Cloning Check: How to Spot a Cloned Vehicle in the UK
Car cloning is a sophisticated form of vehicle identity theft that leaves buyers drastically out of pocket. Learn what it is, the financial risks, and the precise physical and documentation checks you must perform before buying a used car.
How to Negotiate a Used Car Price in the UK: The Ultimate 2026 Guide
Walking onto a forecourt or driveway without a negotiation strategy is a guaranteed way to overpay. Learn how to combine concrete data points, MOT history, and market valuations to negotiate purely on evidence.
High-Mileage Used Cars: The Definitive UK Buying Guide
Don't let a high odometer reading scare you away from a bargain. Learn how to evaluate high-mileage used cars, spot hidden wear, and buy with confidence.
Catalytic Converter Theft & Used Cars: How to Spot Missing or Bypassed Cats UK
Avoid £1,500 exhaust repair traps and instant MOT emissions failures. Learn how to spot stolen, missing, straight-piped, or dummy catalytic converters on UK used cars.
Cat C and Cat D Write-Off Cars: Legacy Categories, DVLA Rules & Buyer Risks
Discover what Category C and Cat D write-off markers mean in the UK. Compare legacy categories with Cat S/N, learn DVLA VIC rules, and check insurance risks.
Used Car Tyre Inspection Guide UK: Tread Depth, Age & Defects
Buying a used car in the UK? Learn how to inspect tyres for legal 1.6mm tread limits, 20p test, DOT age codes, sidewall bulges, and uneven wear patterns.
Engine Wet Belt Problems UK: Ford EcoBoost & PureTech Failure Guide
Learn how engine wet belts in Ford 1.0 EcoBoost and Stellantis 1.2 PureTech cars cause catastrophic engine failures, how to spot degradation before buying, and replacement costs in the UK.
Cut-and-Shut Cars in the UK: How to Spot a Welded Write-Off
A cut-and-shut car is a dangerous, illegal vehicle made by welding two crashed cars together. Learn the essential physical checks and digital history searches to avoid buying a death trap on the UK used car market.
ULEZ and Clean Air Zone Compliance Guide for UK Used Cars: Avoid Daily Fines
A simple mistake in checking a vehicle's emissions standard could leave you facing daily charges of up to £12.50. Learn how to definitively check if a car is compliant.
Cat N Write Off Check: Non-Structural Damage Realities
A Cat N write-off means the car suffered non-structural damage. Discover the realities of buying, fixing, and insuring a Category N vehicle before you make a decision.
Mileage Anomaly Check: Why Consistency in History Matters
A deep dive into why consistency in a car’s history matters, how to identify a mileage anomaly, and what you should do if you find one.
Car Mileage Verification: Protecting Your Car's Value
Discover why car mileage verification is essential for protecting your investment, how to spot mileage fraud, and steps to confirm a vehicle's true history.
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