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Home > Consumer Focus Archive > Buying a Car > Buying a Used Car
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Consumer Focus: Buying a Car
This is an archived document. |
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Buying a Used Car
 Sometimes it starts with an odd sound that you never heard before, or it starts with a shimmy that just doesn’t feel right, or it starts when you are sitting on the hood of your old car on a warm summer day waiting for the tow truck to come and get you off the shoulder of an interstate highway. And sometimes it starts when you find out there are new safety features available and decide it is just plain time to upgrade into another car. But sooner or later we are all faced with replacing our old cars. This guide will give you some things to consider when you are shopping for your new “used” car.
Posted: July 16, 2005
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 Before you shop and before you buy
Research
is the key to buying a car. If you know exactly what kind
of used
car you are looking for,
how much it is worth, and what you are willing to pay for
it, it will be much easier for you to negotiate for a good
deal. Luckily, there
are great websites now that compare car models and provide
information about safety, fuel
economy, model
ratings, prices, and general
car buying tips.
Once you find a car that you like, you should also be prepared to do some more research.
- Examine the car yourself using an inspection checklist.
- Test drive the car under varying road conditions on hills, highways, and in stop-and-go traffic.
- Review the car's maintenance record.
- Talk to the previous owner.
- Have the car inspected by a mechanic you hire.
- Use the car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number to secure a vehicle history from either the state or a private vehicle history company.
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 Dealerships vs. Individuals
Let’s face it, there are a lot of cars out there to choose from, and you have to decide if you want to buy from a dealer or from an individual. There are advantages to both choices, so here are some things to consider.
- When you buy from a dealer, you have the option of paying up-front or financing the car.
- You also have the advantage of using the Buyer's Guide (a sticker on the car which describes any warranty).
- There may be less pressure on you to buy if you purchase the car directly from the owner than at a dealership.
- You may be able to negotiate a lower price with an owner than with a dealership.
- If you buy a car from someone you know and trust you are more likely to get full disclosure about any defects.
Regardless of whom, you buy the car from, remember there may be damage to the car that the seller does not disclose or does not know about.
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 Used Car Inspection Checklist
When you shop for a used car, you may find the following checklist helpful. Make sure you or your mechanic check for leaks, cracks, breaks, odd noises, and missing or inoperable parts in the systems of the car. Here are a few key problems to look for. You can also find a more complete list online.
- Frame and body: Is the frame straight and solid?
- Engine: Is there excessive oil leakage? Are the belts in place? Is the block or head cracked? Is the exhaust normal?
- Transmission and drive shaft: Is the transmission fluid the right color and seepage normal? Is the transmission solid? Is the drive shaft in good shape?
- Cooling system: Does the water pump function properly? Is there any leakage, including any from the radiator?
- Electrical system: Does the battery leak? Do the alternator, generator, battery, and starter work properly?
- Brake system: Do the warning lights work? Is the brake pedal firm under pressure? Does the vehicle stop in a straight line? Check the hoses, drum and lining for soundness. Are structural and mechanical parts solid?
- Steering system: Is there too much free play in the steering? Are the front wheels aligned properly? Check the power unit belts for cracks or slippage and the unit fluid levels.
- Fuel system: Is there any visible leakage?
- Accessories: Do gauges and warning devices work? Do the air conditioner, heater, and defroster work?
- Tires: Check the tread for depth of wear, unusual wear patterns, the tire sizes for matching, and for any other obvious damage.
- Wheels: Look for any visible cracks, damage, or repairs. Check for loose or missing mounting bolts.
- Exhaust system: Check for leakage and exhaust smoke when the engine is running.
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 “AS IS” vs. Warranty
Once you find a car you like and are ready to make an offer on it, pay close attention to how the car is being sold. As is vs. warranty is an important distinction to note when you buy a used car since the most important job a car does is keep us safe. Owners who sell cars “ As Is,” offer no warranty and take no responsibility for any damage, safety issues, or deficiencies that the
car has. Watch out for lemons when you buy as is. Accidentally buying a cars that can’t pass inspection, don’t run properly, or can’t carry the load you need them to, may be difficult to get fixed or return. Remember, implied warranties or verbal promises that a car will run are difficult or impossible to enforce in court. Warranties in writing are preferable to buying “AS IS” because they give you the security of knowing that if specific systems of the car don’t function properly, the dealership that you purchased the car from will pay for repairs. Always remember, if you have a problem that you think is covered by a warranty or service contract, follow the instructions to get service. If a dispute arises, there are several steps you can take. |
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A Word About
Certified Used Cars
Since the mid-1990s, dealers have been
selling a special type of used car - the "certified" used car. Cars
which have been leased or traded-in are evaluated to see if they
qualify for certification. Vehicles that qualify are usually in
very good condition, with low mileage. The dealers have their mechanics
perform a detailed inspection and they offer various warranties.
For example, one major car dealer conducts a 112-point inspection,
then offers a warranty of 12 months or 24,000 miles, plus 24-hour
roadside assistance for 2 years. Certification can mean different
things to different car manufacturers, so it's important to check
with each dealer to get the details of their certification program.
Review the warranties carefully to see which repairs are covered
and which are not. You can check the websites for car manufacturers
or contact dealers for information on their certification programs.
Buying a certified used car is a way
to pay much less than you would for a new car, and still get recent
models and features. The warranties should offer greater peace of
mind because the dealers have taken the guesswork out of what condition
the vehicle is in.
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Check for Car Safety Features
One of the most important considerations
when looking for a car is what safety features they have. You should
be able to understand what they are and what they are worth to you.
If you haven't bought a car in many years, you may not be familiar
with some of the newest safety features. Some features are mandatory
and some are optional. Safety features on many recent models include:
- Front and side air bags.
- Head injury protection such as
head air bags (shield you from impact with the upper interior
of the car).
- Anti-lock brake systems (ABS).
- 4-wheel drive with traction control
(usually with ABS).
- Automatic dimming rear-view mirrors
(to reduce glare).
- Daytime running lights.
- New child seat attachment systems.
- Built-in child safety seats.
For detailed information on these features
and the crash-test rating of the car you are interested in, check
out the National Highway
Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) web page on
"Buying
a Safer Car." |
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Other Resources
This is just a brief overview. For more information, check out these resources:
Read this publication online or order it from our FCIC Car Page:
Websites*:
* Names of resources and organizations
included in this online article are provided as examples only,
and their inclusion does not mean that they are endorsed by
the Federal Citizen Information Center or any other Government
agency. Also, if a particular resource or organization is not
mentioned, this does not mean or imply that it is unsatisfactory.
*If you click
on these links, you are leaving FCIC's website. Please bookmark
us before you leave so you can return easily. FCIC is not responsible
for the content of these websites.
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We will not retain or use this
information for any other purpose.
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For
more information on other popular consumer issues check out
FCIC's Consumer
Focus Archive.
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