| Something happens to many people when they | | | | warranty actually covers a substantial number of |
| get serious about buying a particular used car. The | | | | items, your risk is usually moderate to low. You |
| excitement of a new car - well, "new" to them, | | | | will want to understand the warranty in terms of |
| the prospect of getting a really good deal, and the | | | | what's covered and for how long. With few |
| buying process itself tends to clog the synapses | | | | exceptions, you don't want to trust the current |
| and cause people to neglect, forget, ignore - take | | | | condition of the car to the future protection of |
| your pick - the basic precautions that one should | | | | the sellers's warranty unless the car is still under |
| take before buying a used car. | | | | the original factory warranty. |
| What follows are the five mistakes far too many | | | | #5. Buyers sign the check before checking |
| buyers make when buying a used . By knowing | | | | everything. |
| what they are, you can avoid making them | | | | Before you sit down to complete the paperwork, |
| yourself. | | | | take a walk around the car. Check to see if there |
| #1 Buyers don't get the facts on a specific used | | | | any new dents or dings. Open the hood and |
| car before they buy. | | | | check to be sure that there are no oil leaks that |
| Before you get serious about any one car, it's | | | | might have developed. If repairs or maintenance |
| important to get the facts concerning: | | | | were to be performed, ask for proof that it was |
| Reliability and Repair Record | | | | done as agreed. Then take the car out for one |
| Consumer Reports offers a section in their Buying | | | | last test drive |
| Guide entitled "Frequency of Repair Records. In it | | | | Before you Sign: |
| you'll get an excellent picture of the repair records | | | | 1. Read everything . . . twice! |
| of the vast majority of recent model used cars. | | | | 2. Be sure that anything you sign has all the |
| If the Car Been Subjected to a Recall | | | | blanks filled in. |
| Consumer Guide - Auto Series, publishes a Used | | | | 3. Be sure that the wording on any agreement, bill |
| Car Rating Guide in which they offer a general | | | | of sale and/or warranty is specific, clear and |
| assessment of individual used cars, technical data, | | | | exact in its meaning. |
| price ranges and a detailed description of the recall | | | | 4. An Odometer Mileage Statement must be |
| history. | | | | provided stating that, to the best of the seller's |
| Owner Satisfaction with the Car | | | | knowledge, the odometer has not been tampered |
| In addition to speaking directly with friends who | | | | with. The odometer statement can be made part |
| have owned the car you're considering, you might | | | | of the bill of sale. [In some states this is part of |
| also want to turn again to Consumer Reports. | | | | the title.] |
| They offer charts showing how their subscribers | | | | 5.Be sure you fully understand and agree with the |
| rated their satisfaction with recent model cars. | | | | warranty - if it has one. |
| #2. Buyers fall in fall in love with the car in front | | | | 6. Bill of sale should include the following items: |
| of seller. | | | | ● Date of sale |
| Far too many consumers fall in love with a | | | | ● Year, make and model description |
| particular car and let their desire to own that car | | | | ● Tag number and state of registration |
| cloud their better judgment. Once a car seller - | | | | ● Vehicle Identification Number (Check it |
| especially a professional - knows a person is | | | | against the VIN # on the title.) |
| hooked on a car, that person has all but | | | | ● Odometer reading |
| abandoned the opportunity to negotiate a good | | | | ● Amount paid for car and type of |
| deal. | | | | payment |
| #3 Buyers fail to give the car a "full" inspection. | | | | ● Conditions of the sale, if any |
| Most used car buyers don't take the time or | | | | ● Sellers and buyer's names, addresses |
| make the effort to thoroughly check out the car. | | | | and phone numbers |
| This includes having it inspected by a third party, | | | | One more thing: |
| independent mechanic. Neglecting this step often | | | | Buyers make a big mistake when they're not |
| results in costly repair bills or worse, owning a car | | | | prepared to "walk away" from the deal. If it |
| that is not worth fixing. As part of the inspection | | | | doesn't feel right, if something seems amiss, if |
| process, it pays to order a CARFAX report on | | | | your "gut" seems to be telling you that your |
| the car you're considering. | | | | prospective purchase is a mistake . . . walk away. |
| #4 Buyers don't take the time to understand | | | | You can always find another car. Your money is |
| their Used Car Warranties | | | | harder to replace. |
| If a franchise dealer offers a warranty and the | | | | |