| Spending a little time now may save you | | | | Plus, other limits or costs may apply. |
| serious money later. Go to a reputable | | | | Before you buy the car, ask if it's |
| car repair shop and ask if you can bring | | | | still under warranty or service |
| the vehicle by for a look-over. While | | | | contract, and review that baby |
| you're there, ask what cars they have to | | | | carefully.Some states will require |
| repair most often. Take heed. Also, ask | | | | vehicle sellers to pass a vehicle |
| what the inspection includes, how long | | | | inspection before a sale is made. That's |
| it takes, and the price. Always get this | | | | not always the case, though. To find out |
| information in writing - just to be | | | | what your state requires, contact your |
| safe.Once the vehicle has been | | | | state Attorney General's office or a |
| inspected, ask the mechanic for a | | | | local consumer protection agency. Hey, |
| written report with a cost estimate for | | | | it's just a phone call. And it could |
| all necessary repairs. Be sure the | | | | save you a real headache later!Whether |
| report includes the vehicle's make, | | | | you end up buying a used car from a |
| model and VIN. Go over it with a | | | | dealer, a co-worker, or a neighbor, |
| fine-toothed comb and make sure you | | | | follow these tips to learn as much as |
| understand every item. If you decide to | | | | you can about the car:Examine the car |
| make an offer to the dealer after | | | | carefully yourself using an inspection |
| approving the inspection, you can use | | | | checklist. You can find a checklist in |
| the estimated repair costs to negotiate | | | | many of the magazine articles, books and |
| the price of the vehicle.Remember, | | | | Internet sites that deal with buying a |
| private sellers generally are not | | | | used car. My favorite book that I've |
| covered by the Used Car Rule and don't | | | | used several times is How to Buy and |
| have to use the Buyers Guide. However, | | | | Maintain a Used Car by Brad Crouch.Once |
| you can use the Guide's list of an | | | | I bought a used car in August, and never |
| auto's major systems as a shopping tool. | | | | thought to test the rear defroster. |
| You also can ask the seller if you can | | | | Guess what? Come November, I found out |
| have the vehicle inspected by your | | | | it didn't work. If you're shopping in |
| mechanic. If he/she says no... beware. | | | | the summer, don't forget to check the |
| No matter how nice the car appears, | | | | heater. And if it's cold as ice outside, |
| something fishy is going on.Now, a | | | | still turn that air on full blast and |
| private sale likely will be on an "as | | | | make sure it works!Ask for the car's |
| is" basis, unless your purchase | | | | maintenance record. If the owner doesn't |
| agreement with the seller specifically | | | | have copies, contact the dealership or |
| states otherwise. If you have a written | | | | repair shop where most of the work was |
| contract, the seller has to live up to | | | | done. They may share their files with |
| the contract. The car also may be | | | | you. Talk to the previous owner, |
| covered by a manufacturer's warranty or | | | | especially if the present owner is |
| a separately purchased service contract. | | | | unfamiliar with the car's history. Have |
| But that doesn't mean that the warranty | | | | the car inspected by a mechanic you |
| and service contract are transferable. | | | | hire. |