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