Shopping for a new car, even if it’s only new to you, can be a very stressful endeavor. Most of us tend to think with our hearts instead of with our heads. Here are some pointers on used car shopping to keep in mind to avoid buying a lemon.
1. Be very careful where you buy. There are a lot of dishonest people out there doing anything to make a buck in EVERY line of work, but when it comes to used cars there are a lot of bottom feeders. Don’t even consider shopping somewhere you have not researched thoroughly. Contact the Better Business Bureau, check the business’s status with the Attorney General’s office in your state. Be skeptical; if something seems "off", it probably is.
2. Know what you want and how much you can afford. Know before you head out what kind of car you want and what you should pay for it. Review your budget to make sure you will be able to afford the payment before you go shopping. The website www.kbb.com will tell you the blue book value of any car; that will tell you what you should expect to pay. Do some research on what vehicles are rated well and which are not. Also look into the maintenance costs of a vehicle. European car manufacturers expect a higher level of maintenance than most American consumers are willing to pay for, and when that maintenance is not done, the repairs are very pricey.
3. Always ask to see records. Always, always ask for a Carfax on the vehicle and to see any maintenance records available. The Carfax will be able to tell you if the vehicle was in a flood or if it has been in any major accidents. Always avoid flood vehicles no matter what a deal they may seem like. You should also be very hesitant about buying anything with a reconstructed title. Maintenance records will give you an idea of how well the car was taken care of by its previous owner; compare these records with the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule to get a complete picture of wether or not it was maintained correctly. Avoid vehicles that have not been well maintained or that have no records.
4. Don’t be distracted. If you go out shopping for a Honda Accord, don’t let the salesmen tempt you with that shiny Volvo they have sitting on the lot, unless of course you go home and do some research on the vehicle first. NEVER believe what the salesmen tell you about the mechanical soundness of any make or model car. Most of them actually know very little about mechanical issues with the cars they sell, and if they do know, they aren’t going to tell YOU; they are trying to sell you the car. Also, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is, always keep that in mind.
5. Have it looked at. If possible, bring the vehicle to YOUR mechanic to be checked out. If you are a regular customer, they may not even charge you for a new purchase inspection. Ask to have the brakes, tires, steering, suspension, exhaust, fluids, belts and hoses all checked. Ask not only if they are ok but if there are any signs of wear and if there is anything that you will probably have to address in the near future. It’s also a good idea, if the vehicle is a ‘96 or newer, to ask to have the computer scanned and checked to see if there are any pending or history codes (a sign that the vehicle has a problem that will make it set the "check engine" light soon); that all the system monitors have been set (if not, it could be a sign that the battery was disconnected to clear an illuminated "check engine" light); and to make sure that the "check engine" light is functioning like it should (some used car salesmen have been known to remove the bulb that illuminates the "check engine" light in order to sell a car that has issues).
If the car is located too far away from your mechanic, find someone near but not associated with the business selling the car, who can check it out for you. A good place to go for a reference is an auto parts store; the guys who work at the counter should be able to direct you to a local, respectable facility that can help you out. Buying a vehicle that you have not had evaluated by an independent mechanic is just asking to be ripped off.
6. Read the paperwork. Review the sales contract very carefully. Be leery of any warranties that you have to pay for, and research them just as well as you researched the car you want to buy. Most of them are very expensive and pay for very little.
