Start with the paperwork
Ask for the registration certificate, insurance details and service records before you arrange a visit. Compare the vehicle identification number on the documents with the number on the car. If a loan is involved, ask how it will be cleared and transferred.
A tidy set of documents does not prove a car is trouble free, but missing or mismatched details are a good reason to pause.
See the car in daylight
Look for uneven panel gaps, different paint shades, worn tyres and leaks beneath the engine. Check that the windows, lights, air conditioning and dashboard controls work. On a cold start, listen for unusual noises and watch for warning lights that stay on.
Take a real test drive
Drive on more than one type of road if the seller agrees. Notice how the car starts, brakes, turns and changes gear. If you are unsure, pay for an independent inspection before committing. The inspection cost is usually smaller than an unexpected repair.
Agree on the handover
Confirm the final price, what comes with the car, how payment will be verified and when ownership documents will be transferred. Keep a written record of what both sides agreed. Never rely on a screenshot as proof that a payment has cleared.