The Garage · Journal
Guides for proving and protecting your car
No-nonsense advice on checking history, servicing, and the paperwork that makes a car worth more when it’s time to sell.
- ·Buying a used car
Used car checks before you buy: the full checklist
Most of the checks that save you from a bad used car are free and take minutes. Here's the full list, in the order to do them.
- ·Selling a car
Does full service history actually add value? The numbers
"FSH" is the most common phrase in used-car adverts for a reason. Here's what documented history is actually worth in pounds — and why.
- ·Servicing
Interim, full or major service: what's actually included
Garages quote "interim", "full" and "major" services like everyone knows the difference. Here's what each actually covers — and when you need which.
- ·Buying a used car
How to check any car's MOT history for free
A free government service reveals every MOT a UK car has had — mileage, advisories and failures. Here's how to read it before you buy.