Experts are warning drivers that they could face a £300 fixed penalty in addition to six points on their licence if they fall foul of a simple insurance error.
The UK’s used car market is booming with data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showing that car transactions rose by 5.1 per cent in 2023.
Of the seven million used car transactions that took place last year, including a number of the nation’s favourites, like the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Golf.
Many drivers are turning to second-hand vehicles to avoid paying over the odds for a new car as they can be cheaper and there will usually not be a delay in receiving the vehicle.
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Drivers could also be hit with other punishments for not having insurance
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However, one industry expert has issued a warning to drivers to make sure they are aware of any steps they need to take before getting behind the wheel of their newly purchased used car.
Motorists could be hit with a fine worth £300 and six penalty points on their driving licence if they are caught behind the wheel without valid insurance.
Given the number of measures people need to look out for when buying a car, some motorists could overlook some of the most important aspects, such as insurance.
Section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 states that a person is not allowed to use a motor vehicle on the road unless they have valid car insurance.
Nicholas Shaw, director of operations at Dayinsure, has warned that if the vehicle itself is insured, the driver could still be penalised as the individual may not be properly insured.
He urged motorists to check their current policy as they may already have driving-other-cars (DOC) included in their insurance.
Shaw added: “Driving without valid insurance is a serious offence and could result in costly fines, confiscation of the vehicle and a licence suspension.
“It may also make purchasing insurance in the future more expensive and reduce the number of options available to you.
“It is not worth taking this risk, even if you think you will only be driving for a very short time.”
When buying a used car, some dealerships may already have their own policy in place for test driving, although it is good practice to confirm before they drive away.
Naturally, Britons need to be far more careful when buying a second-hand car from a private seller as it could lead to them needing to make extra checks.
Shaw warned that people must be insured on the vehicle before test driving it or driving it after purchasing to escape the fines.
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Drivers should double-check whether the car dealer has insurance policies in place
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According to the latest data from Confused.com, the average price of car insurance is £995 for annual cover, having increased by £366 or 58 per cent over the last year.
Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.