Before you buy a used HGV, check the paperwork, the history and the truck itself, in that order. That means matching the V5C to the chassis, looking up the annual test history on GOV.UK, running a finance and theft check, and having the truck inspected and test driven by someone who knows lorries. Buying a used lorry online is safe as long as you see the truck, or have it independently inspected, and confirm who you’re paying before any money changes hands.
What should I check before buying a used HGV?
Check the paperwork first, then the history, then the truck. The paperwork shows whether the seller can sell it and whether it’s plated for your work, the history shows how it’s been used and maintained, and the inspection shows what it’ll cost to keep on the road.
Working in that order saves wasted journeys. A seller who’ll send photos of the V5C, plating certificate and service records before you travel is usually worth visiting, and one who won’t is telling you something.
If you’re still deciding where to look, our guide to where to buy a used HGV in the UK compares dealers, auctions and marketplaces.
Which documents should a used HGV come with?
A used HGV should come with its V5C registration certificate, its plating certificate, its current annual test certificate and its service history. Ask for the tachograph calibration record too, and if the truck has a tail lift or a lorry-mounted crane, the latest LOLER thorough examination report.
Check that the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the V5C matches the number on the chassis and on the vehicle’s identification plate. The name and address on the V5C should match the seller, or the seller should be able to explain why not, for example because the truck’s registered to their company.
The plating certificate shows the weights a lorry is plated at, including its gross vehicle weight and axle weights. Make sure those weights suit the loads you carry and the driving licences your drivers hold.
Tachographs have to be inspected by an approved workshop at least every two years, so look for a current calibration plaque on any used HGV you view. If the inspection’s due soon or overdue, factor the cost into your offer.
Tail lifts and lorry cranes count as lifting equipment, so they need regular thorough examinations by a competent person. Ask to see the latest report and check when the next one’s due.
How do I check a lorry’s history?
You can check a lorry’s annual test history for free on GOV.UK with just the registration number. For HGVs, trailers, buses and coaches, the service shows tests from 2018 onwards, including whether each one passed or failed, the mileage recorded and what failed.
Look for a steady pattern across the years. The same fault failing more than once, long gaps between tests or a mileage that goes backwards are all questions to put to the seller.
A paid vehicle history check covers what the test record doesn’t, such as outstanding finance and whether the truck’s been recorded as stolen or written off. If there’s finance outstanding, the lender may still own the truck, so ask the seller to settle it and get written confirmation before you pay.
What should I look at on the truck itself?
Look at the chassis, the cab, the engine and gearbox, the brakes and suspension, the tyres and the body. If you’re not confident judging those yourself, pay an independent HGV mechanic or inspection service to do it, because the cost is small next to an unexpected repair.
On the chassis, look for cracks, heavy corrosion, fresh welding and anything bent, particularly around the crossmembers, the spring hangers and, on a tractor unit, the fifth wheel. On the engine, try to start it from cold, then look for smoke, oil or coolant leaks and warning lights, including AdBlue and emissions warnings.
On the brakes and suspension, check the air system builds pressure normally and holds it, listen for leaks and make sure the truck sits level. The tyres should have legal tread and no cuts or bulges, and mismatched or very old tyres are worth noting when you negotiate.
Body checks depend on what’s on the back. Our guide to finding a reliable used tipper covers the tipping gear, and our used dropside truck guide covers the sides, hinges and bed.
Can I test drive a used HGV before buying?
Yes, and you should, but check you’re licensed and insured first. You need category C1 on your licence for vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg and category C for anything heavier, and the seller’s insurance may not cover you.
Drivers who passed their car test before 1 January 1997 usually have C1 already, but check your licence rather than assume. On The Commercial Trader, test drives are arranged directly with the seller, so agree who’s insuring the drive when you book the viewing.
On the drive, check the gearbox changes cleanly, the brakes pull up straight, the steering doesn’t wander and any retarder works. Listen for knocks from the suspension and whines from the axles.
Will the truck work where you need it to?
Before you buy, check the truck meets the rules for where it’ll operate. If it’ll work in Greater London and weighs more than 12 tonnes, it needs an HGV Safety Permit under Transport for London’s Direct Vision Standard, which since 28 October 2024 means a three-star rating or the Progressive Safe System fitted.
Emissions matter too. To drive in London’s Low Emission Zone or a Clean Air Zone without paying a daily charge, an HGV generally needs to meet the Euro VI standard, so check the Euro rating on the paperwork.
Is it safe to buy a used lorry online?
Yes, buying a used lorry online is safe if you check the truck and the seller before any money changes hands. Most problems start when a buyer pays a deposit, or the full price, for a truck they haven’t seen to a seller they haven’t checked.
On The Commercial Trader, you contact the seller of any used truck for sale directly through the listing, so you agree the viewing, inspection and payment between you. That puts the checks in your hands, so make full use of them.
How do I avoid scams when buying a truck online?
Don’t pay anything until you’ve seen the truck, checked the documents and confirmed who you’re paying. Scams usually rely on a price well below similar trucks, pressure to act fast and a reason you can’t view it.
Be wary of a seller who says the truck’s abroad or in storage, asks for a deposit to hold it, or wants you to pay through an escrow, shipping or delivery service you haven’t heard of. Fake escrow and delivery services are a well-known trick.
If the seller’s a business, look it up on Companies House and ring a number you’ve found independently, not just the one in the advert. When you pay by bank transfer, most UK banks run a Confirmation of Payee check that tells you whether the account name matches who you expect.
If you think you’ve been targeted, stop contact and tell your bank straight away. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report it to Report Fraud, the service that replaced Action Fraud in December 2025, and in Scotland, report it to Police Scotland on 101.
What do I need to do after buying a used HGV?
Tax it, insure it and, if you’ll use it for business, add it to your operator’s licence. Vehicle tax doesn’t transfer with the truck, so you must tax it before it goes on the road.
You need a goods vehicle operator’s licence to use a goods vehicle over 3,500kg gross plated weight for business. If your licence has room for another vehicle, you must tell the traffic commissioner within one month of the truck coming into your possession.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check an HGV’s MOT history online?
Yes. GOV.UK’s free MOT history service covers lorries, trailers, buses and coaches as well as cars and vans. For HGVs it shows annual test results from 2018 onwards, and you only need the registration number.
Do I need an operator’s licence to buy a lorry?
No, you don’t need one to buy a lorry, but you do need one to use a goods vehicle over 3,500kg gross plated weight for business. If you already hold a licence with room for another vehicle, you must tell the traffic commissioner within one month of the truck coming into your possession.
What licence do I need to drive a 7.5 tonne lorry?
You need category C1, which covers vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg. Drivers who passed their car test before 1 January 1997 usually have C1 already, and everyone else needs to pass a C1 test.
Should I pay a deposit before viewing a used truck?
No. Don’t pay anything for a truck you haven’t seen in person or had inspected by someone you’ve chosen yourself. A genuine seller will understand, and pressure to pay a deposit first is a warning sign.
Can I return a used truck bought through a marketplace?
That depends entirely on the seller, so agree any returns terms in writing before you pay. On The Commercial Trader, returns and test drives are arranged directly with the seller, not through the marketplace.
