Winter can actually be a great time to buy a used car in the UK. Prices tend to be lower, and there's less competition from other buyers. However, some sellers take advantage of the season to offload cars with hidden problems, outstanding finance, or fresh accident damage.
If you're buying a car in December 2025, these tips will help you spot anything dodgy. Check out our winter car buying guide for more advice on making the most of winter car shopping.
1. The "Fresh Winter Write-Off" Being Passed On Quickly
Icy roads in November-December lead to minor and major accidents. Many damaged cars get patched up cheaply and listed for sale within weeks, long before any obvious signs of repair are visible.
What scammers do
- Repair panels with filler and quick paint.
- Hide alignment or steering issues caused by the impact.
- List the car at a bargain price to move it before buyers start asking questions.
How to spot it - physical checks you must do
- Paint inspection: Look at the car from different angles in daylight. Run your hand along panels - fresh paint feels smoother than original. Check for colour mismatches between panels, especially around doors, bonnet and boot edges.
- Panel gaps: Stand at the front and back of the car. All gaps between panels should be even. If one door gap is wider than the other, or bumper gaps are uneven, that's a red flag.
- Steering wheel alignment: Start the engine and drive straight on a flat road. If the steering wheel sits off-centre when going straight, the car needs wheel alignment. This isn't necessarily from an accident - it could be from hitting potholes or kerbs. Use this to negotiate the price. On expensive cars with adaptive cruise control, 360 cameras, or similar systems, alignment can cost over £250 because those systems need recalibrating by the manufacturer.
- Check underneath: Get down and look under the car. Look for fresh welding, mismatched paint, or signs of recent repair work on the chassis or suspension mounts.
Pro tip
Understanding what the
MOT test actually covers helps you know what to look for. A
Carpeep check can show if a car has been written off, but you still need to physically inspect it to see if repairs were done properly.
Why winter increases the risk
Cold weather makes paint look more uniform, hiding bad repairs. Rain masks imperfections. Buyers don't inspect cars for as long because nobody wants to stand outside in freezing weather.
2. Outstanding Finance Dump Before Christmas
December is a peak month for sellers trying to offload cars still on outstanding finance. Some are intentionally fraudulent. Others are simply struggling financially and hoping the buyer won't run a check. Learn more about why finance checks matter before you buy.
Signs the car may still be on finance
- Seller "lost the logbook" or promises to "post it later."
- Price looks too good for the mileage or spec.
- Seller insists on meeting away from their home.
Consequences for you
If you buy a car with active finance, the lender still owns it. They can legally repossess it at any time, even if you paid in full.
The finance trap
I've seen buyers lose cars worth thousands because they didn't check for outstanding finance first. You cannot tell by looking at a car if it's on finance. A
Carpeep check shows all active finance agreements across major UK lenders before you hand over any money. For peace of mind, run this check before you even view the car seriously.
3. Clocked Mileage
Clocking has exploded in the past 3 years, especially for used diesels. Any car can be clocked or have mileage blockers installed. The general wear and tear of the vehicle should match up with the mileage.
How to spot clocked mileage - physical checks
- Steering wheel wear: Look at the top of the steering wheel where hands rest. On a low-mileage car, it should look almost new. Heavy wear, shiny patches, or cracks suggest much higher mileage.
- Pedal rubber: Check the driver's footwell. The accelerator, brake and clutch pedals should have rubber pads. If they're worn smooth or metal is showing through, the car has done more miles than claimed.
- Seat condition: Look at the driver's seat. Check the side bolsters (the raised parts on the sides). Heavy wear, sagging, or fabric damage suggests high mileage. Compare it to the passenger seat - if the driver's seat is much more worn, that's suspicious.
- Gear knob and handbrake: These get polished with use. A shiny, worn gear knob on a "low mileage" car is a red flag.
- Service history: Check service stamps carefully. Dates and mileages should increase logically. Look for photocopied stamps, different handwriting, or stamps from garages that don't exist.
Clocking is now extremely common on ex-fleet diesels between 80k-140k miles, the exact cars most people buy as winter bargains.
Mileage verification
A
Carpeep check automatically flags mileage discrepancies by comparing MOT records over time. If the mileage drops or jumps suspiciously, you'll see it highlighted. This gives you peace of mind, but always verify with physical inspection of wear patterns too.
4. "Winter Bargain" Cloned Cars
Cloned cars spike in December because criminals know buyers don't want to spend weeks comparing small details in freezing weather. Many buyers also want a quick deal before holiday travel, which leads them to accept sketchy situations. Read our complete guide on how to spot a cloned car.
How cloning works
A stolen car gets the identity of a nearly identical legitimate car:
- Same make, model, year.
- Stolen plates fitted.
- Fake logbook and forged service history.
How to check for cloning - step by step
- Check VIN in multiple places: The Vehicle Identification Number must match in ALL these locations: dashboard (visible through windscreen), driver's door frame sticker, engine bay plate, and the V5C logbook. If any don't match, walk away immediately. A Carpeep check provides the last 5 digits of the VIN - it's important you check these match the car you're viewing.
- Look for tampering: Check VIN plates for scratches, grinding marks, or signs they've been removed and reattached. Fresh rivets or glue residue around VIN plates is suspicious.
- Verify registration plates: Check the spacing and font - UK plates have specific requirements. Look for signs of tampering or plates that don't look properly fitted.
- Check V5C logbook: The seller should be the registered keeper. Match their ID to the V5C. If they're not the keeper or can't show ID, that's suspicious.
- Meet at their address: Always view the car at the seller's registered address, not a car park or random location. If they refuse, walk away.
If the car is cloned, police can seize it immediately. You lose the car, your money, and have no legal recourse.
If you suspect cloning
If something feels wrong, report it immediately using the
official fraud reporting service. A
Carpeep check can show if the vehicle has been reported stolen, which is often the first sign of cloning. Never proceed with a purchase if the check shows any stolen vehicle flags - but always do the physical VIN checks too.
5. Hidden Accident Damage
Some sellers try to hide previous accident damage with quick repairs. This is especially common in winter when poor weather can mask imperfections.
How to spot accident damage - detailed checks
- Panel gaps: Stand at the front and back of the car. All gaps between panels should be even and consistent. Check gaps around doors, bonnet, boot, and bumpers. Uneven gaps suggest panels have been replaced or the car has been in an accident.
- Paint thickness: Use a paint thickness gauge if you have one, or check for obvious signs. Different panels should have similar paint thickness. If one panel is much thicker, it's been repainted. Look for overspray on rubber seals, plastic trim, or glass.
- Colour matching: Look at the car from different angles in good daylight. Check for colour mismatches between panels, especially around doors, bonnet and boot edges. Even slight differences can indicate repairs.
- Check underneath: Get down and look under the car. Look for fresh welding, mismatched paint, or signs of recent repair work on the chassis, suspension mounts, or structural points.
- Door alignment: Open and close all doors. They should open and close smoothly with consistent gaps. If a door is harder to close or sits differently, it may have been damaged and repaired.
Not sure what to look for?
If you're not confident inspecting a car yourself, consider a professional
AA vehicle inspection which includes up to 206-point checks, road tests, and detailed reports on bodywork, mechanical condition, and accident damage. It's especially useful in winter when you want to verify everything works properly before you buy.
6. "Cold Engine Only" Test Drives
Some sellers only allow buyers to start the engine once, from cold, but won't let you restart it after it's warm. That's a winter-specific scam.
What to check on a test drive
Always insist on a proper test drive. Here's what to check:
- Cold start: Start the engine from completely cold. Listen for unusual noises, excessive smoke, or difficulty starting.
- Warm restart: Drive for at least 10-15 minutes, then stop and restart the engine. If it struggles to start when warm, that's a major red flag - could be starter motor, crank sensor, or worse.
- Check for overheating: After driving, check the temperature gauge. If it's running hot or the heater doesn't work properly, walk away.
- Look for leaks: After the test drive, check the ground under the car for oil, coolant, or other fluid leaks.
- Listen for noises: Drive over different road surfaces. Listen for rattles, knocks, or unusual sounds that could indicate suspension, exhaust, or engine problems.
If a seller tells you the battery is "too weak for multiple starts" or won't let you restart the engine when warm, walk away immediately.
Final Advice for Winter Buyers (December 2025)
These tips should help you spot anything dodgy when buying a car in winter. Remember, winter can actually be a good time to buy - prices are often lower and there's less competition. Just make sure you do your checks properly.
Remember: physical inspection is essential. You must check the car yourself or get a professional inspection. However, some problems you simply cannot see by looking at the car.
A vehicle history check reveals things that physical inspection cannot:
Peace of mind before you buy
A
Carpeep check gives you this information before you view the car. It can save you thousands if the car has outstanding finance or was reported stolen - things you'd never know from a physical inspection. Run it before you get serious about any car, but remember it doesn't replace proper physical inspection.
Key Takeaways
Winter car buying comes with extra risks, but you don't have to accept them blindly.
Your winter buying checklist
- Run a vehicle history check before viewing to catch finance, theft, and write-off issues you cannot see. This gives you peace of mind and can save thousands.
- Physical inspection is essential. Check paint, panel gaps, VIN numbers, wear patterns, and do a proper test drive. Don't skip this even in cold weather.
- If unsure, get a professional AA vehicle inspection - they check things you might miss.
- Verify everything: Check VINs match, verify seller is the registered keeper, match service history to claimed mileage.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, walk away. There are always other cars.
- Report fraud using the official reporting service if you suspect a scam.
- Contact Citizens Advice if a purchase goes wrong.
There are millions of used cars in the UK. The right one won't need rushed decisions, vague stories, or missing paperwork. Take the extra few minutes to run the checks. Your future self and your wallet will thank you.
