Once you’ve found...

Once you’ve found the perfect used car, negotiated the price and carried out a history check, it’s tempting to think that you’ve done everything and the job’s finished. But you’d be wrong.

You should also check the authenticity of the registration certificate, or V5C, because the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has warned used buyers to be on the lookout for stolen or forged documents. And it’s not the first time the DVLA has urged vigilance. It originally issued an alert in February, but more of the rogue papers could now be in circulation. So, to make sure you’re not a victim, how can you spot a forgery?

Genuine certificates carry the same mauve background colour on both sides of the Notification of Permanent Export (V5C/4) slip – but the suspect ones are pink on the reverse. If you’re in any doubt, ring the organisation’s hotline on 0870 214 1878. Get it wrong, and you could be left out of pocket, or even in danger if the car you end up buying has been given the once-over by a gang of careless crooks.