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Drivers warned over used car check that can help avoid £1,000 repair bill

ended 13. July 2026

Drivers are being urged to consider an independent inspection before buying a used car, as hidden faults could leave them facing unexpected repair bills within the first month of purchase.

AA Cars issued the warning after research found more than a third of used car buyers (36%) uncovered a fault they believed existed when they first bought the car, and more than one in five buyers (22%) discovered the hidden fault within the first 4 weeks of owning it.

Experts at the used-car buying platform AA Cars say buyers should take the time to properly check a vehicle before committing. Some faults are not always obvious from an online advert, a quick look around the car or a short test drive. The research suggests many faults only become apparent once buyers have already paid for the car and started using it day to day, when any repair costs may fall on them to resolve.

Just as most people would not buy a house without a survey, AA Cars says drivers should take a similar approach and get a vehicle check when buying a used vehicle, particularly if they are spending a significant amount of money or buying from an unfamiliar seller.

For many drivers, the faults led to a repair bill soon after buying the car. Among those who discovered a hidden fault, nearly one in four (24%) said the repair cost more than £500 to fix the issue, while 9% said it cost more than £1,000.

  • What do the findings show? What do they reveal?
  • Do you have any tips or. tricks for buying a used car?
  • Do you have any anecdotes about buying a used car? Any issues or negative experiences?

Responses today.

1 responses from the Newspage community

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Editor
Samuel Mather-Holgate
Managing Director & IFA at Mather and Murray Financial
The findings reveal a simple truth- a shiny used car can still be a financial trap.

This is especially true with luxury second-hand cars and expensive models. The risk is not just that something goes wrong, but that when it does, the repair bill can be brutal. Complex electronics, automatic gearboxes, hybrid systems, air suspension and specialist parts can turn a hidden fault into a four-figure problem very quickly.

Buyers should check the MOT history, service history, mileage, finance status and warning lights, but for higher-value cars an independent inspection is the sensible move. It may feel like an extra cost at the time, but it could save thousands.

My rule would be - the more expensive the car, the less you should rely on trust.