Additionally, rental cars are often uniquely or oddly equipped for their market. Given that they are built for rental fleets and not consumer ownership, many attractive features are left off. Sometimes inferior materials are used in the interiors as no one will "own" them initially. Be sure that any car you consider from a rental fleet has very low miles and all the desired features.
Repossessions
If you or someone you know have ever had a car repossessed you know what the repo man does. He comes and steals your car back and returns it to the bank because the owner defaulted on the payments. If someone is unable to pay their loan, they are also probably unable to pay for car repairs and maintenance. It is likely that the vehicle has not had loving care. Banks typically have repossession sales from time to time and good deals are available. But be cautious. Take a mechanic along to review the car. Additionally, sometimes owners sabotage cars they know are going to be repossessed. It's that "if I can't have it, you can't either" kind of thinking. Be careful.
Inheriting Cars
Family inheritance is a sweet way to acquire a used car. If someone passes away and leaves you with a wonderful used car, be gracious -- even if it's not the ideal car. Getting the car for free or for a song should encourage you to put some money into it. If the car is unsuited to your needs, sell it and find something that is. The education of selling will make you a better buyer when the time comes. For more information about selling a used vehicle read the article "Selling Your Used Car."
Checking The Vehicle's Condition
Take notes when out in the marketplace looking at vehicles. After looking at five or six of the same model, similar problems may begin to surface. Patterns of failure will alert you to avoid that car or at least a few years of its production. In general, wear patterns will be consistent. Pampered cars, those that have been lovingly and regularly cared for, will stand out in more ways than just having shiny paint.
Shop for cars in the daylight. Shop on your day off or take time off to look. At the very least if you find something you like at night, go back in the daylight to look again before buying. There are things that show up in the daylight that can't be seen at night. If possible, bring along a friend. This is particularly important for women given that you may be visiting an unfamiliar neighborhood, meeting with strangers and people who may want to take advantage of you. Company serves as a deterrent to crime and provides a witness should something untoward occur. Having a friend along also provides another pair of eyes to see things you miss (in part because they aren't buying). Surprises that might crop up later will be avoided. "I can't believe I didn't see that dent." Believe it. Given that it takes longer to find the right used car, anxiety and desire discourage awareness. Focus on the task and attempt to be relaxed so you don't miss anything important.
An mechanical inspection is critical before deciding to buy anything. Don't wait to find a mechanic until one is necessary. Look for someone who is a specialist in the models under consideration. Someone working exclusively on the product you want is the person for you. Once you find him/her treat them well. This is the person who will evaluate the cars you are considering. It may even be possible to convince the mechanic to join you at an auction. Generally you'll pay them for their expertise. But sometimes a good bottle of wine can build a wonderful relationship.
Legal Considerations
With the exception of the superstores, used-car dealers do not offer a three-day return policy for used cars. In most states, once the car is driven off the lot, that vehicle is yours. Be very careful with your signature. Read everything you sign. Bring a magnifying glass if necessary. The print is purposefully small to discourage scrutiny. Check (and initial) every page of everything you read or sign. Sometimes unscrupulous dealers slip in extra pages, stamp carbon copies with disclaimers or hide pages with different text on them in the stack. More than likely, those will be the ones you are given to take home. Then, if a problem occurs, the copy you have ends up being the one with the disclaimer on it and the seller's copy has vanished.
Used cars are not covered by lemon laws like new cars. If you purchase a lemon and need multiple repairs, the responsibility for all the bills will be yours. Reoccurring unplanned repairs can ruin your financial health. There are, however, certain implied warranties of performance that go along with purchasing any major appliance that may apply to used cars as well.
In 1985, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adopted a Used Car Rule that called for new guidelines to be used in the sale of pre-owned vehicles. Dealers objected to the language in the bill because they did not want to have to inspect cars they were selling. What the FTC eventually settled for is the "Buyer's Guide" window sticker. It tells you most everything about the car, except what might be wrong with it. The labels may vary in form but their contents must be the same. They include three key provisions not previously associated with used car purchasing. The first provision is a statement telling the potential buyer to "Ask the dealer if you may have this vehicle inspected by your mechanic, either on or off the lot." The second provision is a word about verbal promises. "Spoken promises can lead to misunderstandings. We will gladly put all promises in writing." The guide also contains some statements and places to check to see if the car has a warranty and the dealer's responsibilities. There is a space where a service contract is listed as available for an extra fee. The final, most important provision carries an "As Is" warning. What you see in front of you is what you get -- "As Is." Any repairs that arise after the sale is consummated are your responsibility. With this new FTC label, the customer is warned that if anything goes wrong with the "new" used car, it is up to the buyer to make repairs. It also states that some major defects may be listed on the back of the form. At least this labeling gives clear messages to the buyer and is better than pre-FTC provisions. For more information about warranties, read the article "Used Car Warranties: To Buy Or Not To Buy."
Blemishes
If you smoke, buying a smoker's car won't be an issue. If you don't, buying a car with a smoky smell can be a big issue. The smell is hard, if not impossible, to eliminate even with steam cleaning. Pass up a vehicle like this and wait for one owned by a nonsmoker, especially if you have allergies.
The worst thing to do is to buy a car that has been in a serious accident. Learning to be an accident detective is the best way to avoid this problem. Read the article "Evaluating A Used Car: Finding A Sound Vehicle" to learn the sleuthing techniques that will help you avoid purchasing a damaged vehicle. Sight down the side of cars to see that the sheet metal matches up with evenly. Check to see that the color of the car is consistent from panel to panel. Look under the hood, in the doors, wheel wells and trunk for signs of repainting, such as specs of paint that are the wrong color. The doors and hoods should close easily without any catching, fitting tightly to keep from leaking water. Significant accidents bend the frame, mess up the alignment and loosen the body. The car may never really be safe again -- no matter what you do. If a car has been in a wreck, look for another. Even a serious fender bender can mean major trouble in the long run. Be on the safe side by avoiding wrecked vehicles.
Don't Buy Desperate -- Take Your Time
It can be very disappointing to finally pick out a car and then lose it to another buyer. It probably seemed like the only perfect car in the world. Remember that you found that vehicle and there is another excellent car out there with your name on it. Don't give up and don't become too attached to a car. The next one might be even better.
Don't get discouraged and settle for less than the vehicle you want. Try to look at four cars a week for a month at the very least. You will become an expert on the model you like and know a good value when one appears. Take all the time necessary. Look long and hard because finding a good used car takes a conscious and committed effort.
Returning A Used Car
If you buy the totally wrong car that turns out to be a mess, there are some steps you can take to attempt to return it. If the lemon was purchased from a private party, less protection is available. Get need an attorney immediately and if the disputed amount is under a certain dollar value (check your state) small claims court is an option. The Fair Credit Act offers some protection if the car was purchased from a dealer or paid for partially or fully on a credit card. Contact the Better Business Bureau and the issuer of the card to find out about options. The bank needs to stop payment and go to bat for you. If you were uninformed about a major problem, you will have a stronger case. Stopping payment on a personal check before it clears is a possible relief. In all instances, immediately stop the flow of money to the seller and contact a lawyer who specializes in consumer law.
Sometimes it can be effective to leave the car at the dealer's lot and drop off the keys. This is a strong message and makes a seller pay attention. Still have your attorney at the ready. In most states, most of the time, the law favors the dealer's contract. However, few in business are willing to earn a bad reputation in their community. Take heart, even in the most hopeless cases, dealers have taken back vehicles. The added cost of attorneys fees, lost days of work and the hassle need to be avoided. The best thing to do is to prevent this from ever happening by being vigilant.
There is no substitute for doing the research. Ask people about the cars they own and query people who drive cars that interest you. Read everything available about purchasing a used car. Surf the Internet for information as well and read the article "Used Car Buying Help From The Internet." Preparation will keep you rolling in the right direction. And by all means, enjoy finding and purchasing your car.
