Follow the evidence
Each example starts with a plausible advert and follows the questions a buyer should ask before making an offer. An unknown is not automatically a fault. It is a reason to request proof, obtain a diagnosis or budget for work that has not been verified.
Discovery 4: a clean advert with incomplete major-work evidence →
A tidy-looking Discovery 4 has a recent MOT and a service book. The seller says the belts were done, but the available invoice does not identify both belt drives. This illustrative scenario shows why the paperwork check comes before a deposit.
Freelander 2: low mileage, short journeys and an unknown drivetrain service →
A low-mileage Freelander 2 looks reassuring in photos, but its history shows short annual journeys and little evidence of drivetrain maintenance. This illustrative walkthrough separates an attractive mileage figure from actual condition.
Range Rover L405: a polished car with powertrain-specific questions →
The L405 badge covers very different engines and hybrid systems. In this illustrative example, a polished 2018 advert is not enough to prove the exact specification or the condition of a plug-in hybrid system.
Apply the method to your own vehicle
Check the VIN, registration and MOT history; read itemised invoices; observe a cold start; take a deliberate test drive; and ask a specialist to assess concerns that cannot be established in a driveway. Use our service-history checklist, test-drive checklist and diagnostic guide to make a record you can discuss with the seller.