First Steps After Buying Your Car: Complete UK Checklist

Congratulations on your new car! Before you start enjoying it, there are several essential legal and practical steps you must complete. This comprehensive checklist ensures you're fully legal, protected, and ready to drive.

Immediate Priority Tasks (Day 1)

1. Arrange Insurance (BEFORE Driving)

Legal Requirement: You CANNOT drive without at least third-party insurance.

Immediate Actions:

Before Collection:

• Get insurance quotes online
• Compare at least 5-10 providers
• Choose appropriate level of cover
• Purchase policy

Coverage Options:

• Third Party Only - Cheapest, covers damage to others only
• Third Party, Fire & Theft - Mid-level, adds theft and fire protection
• Fully Comprehensive - Most expensive, covers everything including your car

Required Information:

• Vehicle registration
• Make, model, year
• Your driving license number
• Address and contact details
• Estimated annual mileage
• Where car will be kept overnight

Top Tips:

• Get quote BEFORE buying car (know insurance cost)
• Pay annually if possible (monthly costs more)
• Consider black box insurance if young driver
• Check excess amounts carefully
• Add named drivers if needed

Typical Costs:

• Young driver (17-25): £1,000-£3,000/year
• Average driver (30-50): £400-£800/year
• Experienced driver (50+): £300-£600/year

2. Tax the Vehicle

Legal Requirement: Must be taxed before driving on public roads.

How to Tax:

Option 1: Online (Fastest)

• Visit: gov.uk/vehicle-tax
• Need V5C reference number OR V5C/2 green slip
• Debit/credit card
• Immediate confirmation
• Takes 5 minutes

Option 2: Phone

• Call: 0300 123 4321
• Have V5C ready
• Card payment
• Automated service

Option 3: Post Office

• Bring V5C/2 or V5C
• Photo ID
• Card or cash payment
• Immediate tax disc confirmation email

Tax Costs (Annual):

• Zero emission vehicles: £0
• Most cars (registered after April 2017): £190
• Check exact cost: gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables

Important Notes:

• Road tax no longer transfers with vehicle
• Previous owner's tax is automatically refunded
• You must tax even if buying from dealer
• Can set up Direct Debit for automatic renewal

3. Notify DVLA of Ownership

Legal Requirement: Must notify DVLA within 2 weeks of purchase.

How to Notify:

Option 1: Online (Recommended)

• Visit: gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle
• Need V5C/2 reference number
• Enter your details
• Instant confirmation
• New V5C arrives in 2-5 weeks

Option 2: By Post

• Complete V5C/2 green slip
• Post to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA
• Keep V5C/2 as proof
• Wait 4-6 weeks for new V5C

What You Need:

• V5C/2 new keeper supplement (green slip)
• Your full name
• Current address
• Date you became keeper

What Happens:

• DVLA updates records
• New V5C certificate posted to you
• Old V5C cancelled
• You're now registered keeper

Important Tasks (Week 1)

4. Confirm Insurance Cover

Double-Check:

• Policy start date correct
• Certificates received (email or post)
• Cover level matches what you bought
• All details accurate
• Certificate number noted

Keep Safe:

• Print insurance certificate
• Save PDF on phone
• Note policy number
• Save insurer's contact number

5. Check MOT Status

Even if car has MOT, verify:

Online Check:

• Visit: gov.uk/check-mot-history
• Enter registration
• Confirms:
  • Current MOT expiry date
  • Mileage history
  • Advisory items
  • Previous test results

Set Reminder:

• Note MOT expiry date
• Set calendar reminder 1 month before
• Book test in advance (cheaper)

If MOT Due Soon:

• Book immediately
• Get any advisories fixed first
• Budget for potential failures

MOT Costs:

• Maximum fee: £54.85 (car)
• Average cost: £30-£50
• Retest (after fail): Free within 10 days if minor faults

6. Update Your Address (If Applicable)

If You've Moved:

Driving License:

• Visit: gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence
• Free to change online
• New license posted (arrives in 1 week)

V5C Certificate:

• Wait for new V5C to arrive
• Then update online
• Or include new address when notifying DVLA of purchase

7. Get Spare Key Cut (If Only One Provided)

Essential for:

• Preventing lockouts
• Emergency access
• Future sale value

Options:

Dealer:

• Most expensive (£100-£300)
• Guaranteed compatibility
• Programmed for immobilizer

Independent Specialist:

• Cheaper (£50-£150)
• Quick turnaround
• Check reviews first

Important:

• Modern keys have chip/immobilizer
• Basic key cutting not enough
• Need programming for car

Essential Tasks (First Month)

8. Schedule First Service

Even if "just serviced", plan ahead:

Check Service History:

• When was last service?
• What's the service interval?
• Full or interim service?

Book Service:

• Dealer (expensive but warranty-safe)
• Independent garage (cheaper, just as good)
• Fast-fit center (oil changes only)

Service Intervals:

• Modern cars: Every 12 months or 10,000-12,000 miles
• Older cars: Every 6-12 months or 6,000 miles
• Check handbook for specific intervals

Costs:

• Interim service: £80-£150
• Full service: £150-£300
• Main dealer: +50-100% premium

9. Check All Fluids and Tyres

Within First Week:

Tyre Check:

• Minimum legal tread: 1.6mm
• Recommended minimum: 3mm
• Check all four tyres
• Inspect for damage, cuts, bulges
• Verify pressure (check door sticker)

Fluid Checks:

• Engine oil (check dipstick)
• Coolant level
• Screen wash
• Brake fluid
• Power steering fluid (if applicable)

Top Up If Needed:

• Buy correct spec oil/fluids
• Refer to handbook
• Don't overfill

10. Familiarize Yourself with Car Features

Read the Manual:

• Yes, actually read it!
• Understand dashboard warning lights
• Learn features properly
• Note service requirements

Test Everything:

• All lights (indicators, brake, reverse)
• Wipers and washers
• Heating and air con
• Radio/infotainment
• Safety features
• Fuel cap release
• Boot release

Locate:

• Spare wheel/tire repair kit
• Jack and tools
• First aid kit
• Warning triangle
• Handbook
• Service book

11. Add to Your Home Insurance (Optional)

Belongings in Car:

• Home insurance may cover items stolen from car
• Check policy
• Consider adding specific coverage
• Note excess amounts

12. Join Breakdown Cover

Essential Protection:

Providers:

• AA (0800 88 77 66) - £7-15/month
• RAC (0330 159 0342) - £6-12/month
• Green Flag - £5-10/month
• Your insurance provider may offer it

Coverage Levels:

• Roadside - Basic recovery to garage
• Roadside + Home - Covers breakdowns at home
• UK Cover - Nationwide recovery
• European Cover - Extends to Europe

Cost:

• Basic: £50-80/year
• Comprehensive: £100-150/year
• Often cheaper through bank accounts

Running-In Period (First 1,000 Miles)

For New or Recently Serviced Cars

Best Practices:

0-500 Miles:

• Keep speeds below 60mph
• Avoid harsh acceleration
• No heavy loads
• Frequent speed changes
• No motorway cruising at constant speed

500-1,000 Miles:

• Gradually increase speeds
• Still avoid maximum revs
• Vary driving conditions
• No towing or max loads

After 1,000 Miles:

• Normal driving acceptable
• Still avoid excessive speeds until 5,000 miles
• Check oil consumption

Why Running-In Matters:

• Allows engine parts to bed in
• Prevents future problems
• Maximizes engine life
• Recommended even for used cars with new engine work

First Month Checklist Summary

Legal Essentials (Complete Immediately):

• Insurance arranged BEFORE driving
• Vehicle taxed
• DVLA notified of ownership change

Safety & Maintenance (First Week):

• Insurance documents saved
• MOT expiry date noted
• Spare key arranged
• Fluids checked
• Tyres inspected and pressures checked
• All lights tested

Administrative (First Month):

• Breakdown cover arranged
• Service scheduled
• Manual read
• All features tested
• Address updated (if moved)
• Home insurance notified

Documentation to Keep:

• V5C/2 green slip (until new V5C arrives)
• Insurance certificate
• Purchase receipt
• Service history
• MOT certificate
• Any warranty documents
• Handbook and service book

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Driving Without Insurance

• 6 points on license
• £300 fine minimum
• Possible court appearance
• Car seized and crushed

2. Not Taxing Vehicle

• £80 fine if paid within 28 days
• £1,000 maximum fine
• Potential court summons
• DVLA can clamp or impound

3. Ignoring MOT Expiry

• Illegal to drive without MOT
• Insurance may be invalid
• £1,000 fine possible
• Points on license

4. Not Notifying DVLA

• Fines and penalties possible
• Road tax reminders go to previous owner
• DVLA enforcement action
• Issues when selling

5. Skipping Vehicle Checks

• Unsafe to drive
• Expensive repairs later
• MOT failures
• Dangerous breakdowns

Ongoing Responsibilities

Monthly Checks

Every Month:

• Tyre pressures and tread
• Oil level
• Screen wash
• All lights working
• Windscreen condition

Annual Requirements

Every Year:

• MOT test (cars 3+ years old)
• Service (per manufacturer schedule)
• Insurance renewal
• Road tax renewal (if not on Direct Debit)

As Needed

Regular Maintenance:

• Wiper blade replacement (yearly)
• Air filter (per service schedule)
• Cabin filter (every 12-24 months)
• Coolant change (every 2-5 years)
• Brake fluid change (every 2-3 years)

Emergency Contacts to Save

Save These Numbers:

Emergency:

• Breakdown cover: [Your provider]
• Insurance: [Your insurer]
• 999: Emergency services

Useful:

• DVLA: 0300 790 6802
• Local garage: [Add your chosen garage]
• MOT test center: [Add preferred center]

Summary

Immediate (Before Driving):

1. Arrange insurance
2. Tax vehicle
3. Notify DVLA

First Week: 4. Check all fluids and tyres 5. Test all features 6. Arrange spare key 7. Verify MOT status

First Month: 8. Join breakdown cover 9. Schedule first service 10. Complete all administrative tasks 11. Familiarize with car completely

Ongoing:

• Monthly checks (tyres, fluids, lights)
• Annual MOT and service
• Keep all documentation safe

Following this checklist ensures you're legal, safe, and ready to enjoy your new car without any nasty surprises. Take your time, be thorough, and drive safely!

Welcome to car ownership - enjoy the journey! 🚗