How
To Buy A Used Car
Buying
a used car, also known as a "pre-owned vehicle", can save
you a considerable sum of money, but needs to be done very carefully
to avoid being overcharged or purchasing a "lemon".
What
is a "lemon"? A lemon is a car that has a history
of major problems or potential for major problems that may cost the
buyer a good deal of money and trouble. If you have decided you may
like to buy a particular car, you should first run its VIN (Vehicle
Identification Number) through Carfax's
Lemon Check to find out whether it has a history of serious
problems. You can also order reports from Carfax on the full history
of the car, including findings of odometer fraud or major flood or accident
damage.
You may
also contact the National Automobile Dealer's Association, (800) 274-2277.
For a small fee they will run a title search on a vehicle.
Where
to shop for a used car: You can check out used cars at a
dealership's used car lot, at lots where private sellers rent the space
to show their vehicles, through the newspaper classifieds or online
at an auction site like eBay
or the classified section of search engines like go.com.
Also, make sure to check out the dozens of used car websites, partially
listed here at the Google
search engine:
http://directory.google.com/Top/Shopping/Vehicles/Autos/Internet_Sales/
You can
buy the car directly online from some of these websites, while others
direct you to local dealerships and private individuals in your area.
These sites can provide very useful research from which to negotiate
a good price for your car.
!
When
shopping for a car through private individuals, make sure you meet the
car seller in a safe, public location.
!
Before
you buy, you should have the car inspected for any hidden defects. Find
a reputable mechanic in your area by consulting the Better
Business Bureau: http://bbb.org/
!
Most
private sellers will ask that you pay by check, traveler's check or
money order.
!
You may purchase a warranty to cover the cost of future repairs or buy
the car "as is", with no coverage in case of future repairs.
If you choose to purchase a warranty, make sure the warranty in the
contract is the same as it appears on the buyer's guide posted on the
car's window.
Learn more
about warranties at the Florida
Department of Motor Vehicles website: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dmv/usedcar.html#14
Used
Car Buying Guides by State:
California:
The
California State Department of Automotive Repair offers useful guides
to buying a used car or out-of-state car, finding a reputable automotive
repair dealer, and how to file a consumer complaint:
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/stdPage.asp?Body=/geninfo/default.htm
!
Under California law, some makes and models of cars in certain counties
are required to have an emissions test or "smog check" to
make sure the vehicle is complying with vehicle emissions laws. Find
out if your car is one of them:
http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/smogweb/Smogcheck/default.asp
Florida:
The
Florida Department of Motor Vehicles offers an good, comprehensive guide
to buying a used car:
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dmv/usedcar.html
State
of Florida info on taxes and titles:
Learn more about Florida sales taxes on motor vehicles:
http://sun6.dms.state.fl.us/dor/tips/tip02a01-21.html
Florida
DMV faq's on obtaining a title:
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dmv/faqtitle.html
Other
Useful Websites:
Jeff Ostroff
hosts an irreverant, opinionated but useful site on car buying and selling,
including financing a car loan, how to shop for an extended warranty,
and avoiding car dealer scams:
http://www.carbuyingtips.com/
The Department
of Transportation's Auto Safety Hotline lets you report safety defects
and obtain information on child safety seats, motorcycle helmets, tires
and equipment, crash test results, vehicle safety recalls, and traffic
safety information:
1-800-424-9393 or 202-366-0123
