Used cars: How to avoid a lemon



Used cars: How to avoid a lemon

Simple fact: There are tons of used cars out there. But you can minimize your own stress finding the right one by following a few easy guidelines.

Selection, pricing and quality can vary greatly. Your search can start with websites specializing in used-car sales as well as classified ads in local newspapers and specialty publications. And to reduce the risk of purchasing a trouble-prone vehicle, identify models with a good reliability record before you begin shopping.

Whether you shop at dealers, “superstores” (like CarMax), independent used-car stores or private owners, it’s important to inspect the vehicle in person and take it for a test drive before you buy.

Make sure to look over the vehicle thoroughly and, if possible, take it to a mechanic for a complete inspection. A repair shop that routinely does diagnostic work might cost around $100 but can be a lifesaver if they spot a problem. If a private seller is reluctant to let you drive the car to a shop, offer to follow the seller to the shop where the inspection will take place.

While you’re looking at a car, remember to dress in old clothes and trust what you can hear, see and smell. Take along a friend for help, and try to do your inspection in broad daylight on a dry day.

Here’s a quick checklist for the car’s exterior:

• Check each body panel and the roof, looking for scratches, dents, and rust.

• Look carefully at the vehicle glass to make sure there are no cracks or large, pocked areas.

• Have your friend confirm that all lights are working.

• Spend a fair amount of time looking at the tires: A car with less than, say, 20,000 miles on the odometer should probably still have its original tires. Be wary of a low-mileage car with new tires; the vehicle’s odometer may have been rolled back. Also check that all four tires are the same. Any different tires may show that they have been replaced.

And here’s what to look for in the interior:

• Open the car door and sniff the interior to notice any musty, moldy, or mildew smells -- could indicate water leaks. And you can probably tell right away if the previous owner was a smoker.

• Try out all the seats and notice if the upholstery is ripped or badly worn, particularly in a car with low mileage.

• Turn the ignition switch, but without starting the engine, see that all the warning lights illuminate for a few seconds and go off when you start the engine. Note if the engine is hard to start when cold and if it idles smoothly.

In terms of deciding what the car is worth, you’ll need to check its book value. This is the figure you’ll find in printed pricing guides or on used-car pricing websites. These guides list a vehicle’s base retail value. To get a more accurate figure, you must factor in any options as well as the vehicle’s mileage and con­dition. Some websites let you do this online and then give you adjusted figures.

Or, you can check websites or printed pricing guides including those from Consumer Reports, as well as Kelley Blue Book, the National Automobile Dealers Association, and VMR, which also list used-car values. Printed guides can often be found in libraries. Checking several sources will give you more pricing information when you begin haggling with potential buyers.

Mike Quincy

Automotive Specialist

Consumer Reports

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