| Used cars are not regulated as well as the new car | | | | that you will have to repair yourself. |
| industry is which leaves a lot of room for | | | | You should always take the vehicle for a road test |
| unscrupulous snake oil salesmen to enter the | | | | and if at all possible take it overnight. You should then |
| business. There is no lemon law for used cars so in | | | | take it to your mechanic and have them check the |
| most cases if you buy a vehicle with problems you | | | | vehicle out and let you know what they think of it. If |
| are out of luck. With that said there are things that | | | | it has too many problems pass on it. |
| you can do to avoid problems. | | | | Make safety a primary concern. Buy a vehicle that is |
| First off, doing some research first and have an idea | | | | new enough to include airbags and if possible anti-lock |
| of what you want to begin with. You should have it | | | | brakes as well. |
| down to at least a certain category of vehicle and | | | | Another big thing to watch out for especially after |
| preferably down to maybe three or four models. | | | | the flooding in Louisiana and Mississippi last year from |
| Check the approximate values at a site like so you | | | | Hurricane Katrina is flood damage. There are many |
| have at least some idea of what the vehicle should | | | | crooks who will buy flood damaged vehicles and have |
| sell for. | | | | them detailed and cleaned up and sell them as |
| When shopping for a used car it is even more crucial | | | | perfect. A flood damaged vehicle will be fraught with |
| that you shop in the daytime and in clear sunny | | | | problems from engine problems to the electrical |
| weather so that you can see any blemishes. I have | | | | system and more. One area that is often overlooked |
| seen many cars that looked good in the rain only to | | | | by these crooks is the seat belt retainer cover. If |
| reveal faded paint and blemishes in the sunlight. | | | | you pull the seat belt all the way out you may find |
| One thing you must realize is that there is no used | | | | evidence of mildew or even mud! |
| car factory so you may have to make some | | | | One of the best things to do also is to go to a |
| compromises. Do not compromise on safety and | | | | dealer who uses the new Carfax system which |
| don't by a vehicle that has a laundry list of issues | | | | reports any major issues that vehicle has ever had. |