| In the past, when people have been unable to afford | | | | One of the biggest concerns regarding hybrids is the |
| a new car, they often turned to the used car market | | | | batteries. When it comes to the batteries, this is |
| to fill their need. With hybrids having been out on the | | | | where you definitely need to be doing your research. |
| market for a number of years, we are now reaching | | | | The warranties for batteries (in fact for any |
| the point where you can find the rare one on a used | | | | component in a car) will often differ between |
| car lot, or in the classifieds. | | | | manufacturers. This is often a good guideline for how |
| If you have decided to buy a used hybrid, what do | | | | long the manufacturer expects the parts to last. As |
| you look for? How does buying a used hybrid differ | | | | batteries can be expensive to replace, you should |
| from buying a regular car? In many ways it doesn't | | | | take this information strongly into account when you |
| differ at all. As with buying any used car, you need | | | | consider your purchase. If you are not careful, you |
| to start by researching your choice. Firstly, you need | | | | might end up spending more than you saved by |
| to search the Web. Does the particular make or | | | | needing to replace batteries soon after you buy the |
| model year have many problems? | | | | car. But, before you get worried, look at the |
| Second, you need to look at the car itself? What is | | | | warranty for the specific model you are considering |
| the odometer reading? If you get a history of it (via | | | | buying. |
| CarFax or some other system) has it been in an | | | | Lastly, you should realize that in most (if not all) |
| accident? Often, you can set your mind at ease | | | | jurisdictions, any tax credits for the purchase of an |
| regarding a car by purchasing from a certified used | | | | environmentally friendly car such as a hybrid will only |
| car from a dealership. | | | | apply for new car purchases. |