Over the years I have bought many used cars and trucks, both from private owners. Maybe its just luck, but I like to think it is because of my "intelligence gathering" ability that only on a single occasion did I buy a lemon. Over the years, I have developed some questions to ask sellers and things to look for when checking out a potential purchase.

Use the phone to get as much information as possible to determine if a trip to see the vehicle is worth it. This is especially important if it is miles away.

• Make sure that you control the conversation to find out as much about the car as possible.
• Establish your creditability by impressing the seller with your car buying savvy and that you know what you are talking about. This will keep the seller from attempting to snow you.
• Be courteous, but firm. Whenever the seller gives a "wrong" answer, express your displeasure. Frown, click your tongue, murmur something unintelligible, or whatever. Remember you are buying a car, not trying to make a new friend.

• Get a good description of the vehicle, and a "feel" for the person doing the selling.
• Find out the exact model, equipment, options, color, etc.
• Ask about its condition, mileage, repairs done and repairs still to be done?
• Get the history of this particular car.
• Ask if service records are available and make sure to view them if you go out to see the car.
• Ask why the vehicle is being sold. Be suspicious of the answer to this question. The owner will probably not confide in you if he is selling a car with a history of problems. Valid answers include, “I no longer need the vehicle,” “I bought a replacement,” “my growing family,” “I need to pay for college,” or medical expenses. Don't hesitate to ask this question several times - once over the phone and once or twice when you actually go to see the car. You might be able to pick up the real reason the car is being sold.
• Find out how long it has been owned. Be wary of a vehicle that has been owned only a short time. Could the owner found a serious problem and now wants to unload it, or they buy vehicles to turn them over. Look out for a car that still carries a temporary tag.
• Come right out and ask the question, is there anything wrong with the vehicle that needs fixing? You might be surprised and get an honest answer.
• How long has it been up for sale? A great buy should be sold soon. A lemon might find few buyers.
• Is the seller the title holder? Is the title available? This will prevent future headaches. If an out-of-state title, find out why.
• Is the seller a private party or a dealer. Be wary of someone who advertises as an individual, but turns out to be a dealer. Can you trust him or her with other answers? There is nothing wrong with dealing with a dealer, provided they are up front about it.
• Be especially suspicious if the seller gives too many "doesn't know” to reasonable questions or gives contradictory answers.
• Make sure the seller will allow the vehicle to be reviewed by a third-party service technician before purchase.
• Finally, ask about willingness to negotiate the price.

If you are still enthusiastic about the car, you are ready for a personal inspection. When you arrive look at the surroundings as closely as the vehicle. There are many clues to be seen.

• If the owner shows you lots of records, receipts, etc., great. At best it shows the owner has maintained vehicle. At worst, it shows than you won’t have to invest in fixing too many problems. Make sure to check the inside of the driver’s door for more repair information.
• You will also be able to see from the paperwork if the same company has serviced the vehicle, or if it has been sent to multiple repair shops. In and of itself multiple repair shops is not a problem, but if the shops are in different states, or counties, you’ll learn where the vehicle has spent its life, and be able to see if that information jives with the seller’s story.
• Avoid a car with cobbled up wiring or one with wiring hanging from under the dash.
• Look around the seller’s garage. Is it neat and clean?
• Asked where the car is normally parked. Then, look for oil drips and fluid stains there. If the owner says the vehicle has always been garaged, make sure that there is place for it to be parked there regularly, not parked there before you arrived.
• Find out who drives the vehicle and how it is used. A well-maintained, high-mileage vehicle might be a better buy if the miles are predominantly from highway driving as compared to one with low mileage that has deteriorated by sitting outdoors subject to the elements. Look carefully at cars driven by teens and people in their early twenties. Young people have more accidents and drive their vehicles hard.
• Be wary of vehicles owned by the “economically challenged.” They may have often been pressed to make the payments, let alone pay for preventive maintenance.
• Finally, after I buy a car, I ask again if there is anything wrong with the car. While you cannot get your money back, the seller may be more willing to divulge needed repairs at that point. It could save you lots of time tracing down a problem or even a breakdown on the way home.