How do you avoid buying a lemon?
The last thing you want to happen to you when buying a used car is to get a lemon. According to Consumer Reports, there are several things you need to do before you buy a used car to try to make sure that you don’t get a lemon.
1. Make sure that you select a model that with a good “reliability record” before begin shopping for a used car.
2. Read the window sticker. The information will let you know if the car will be sold “as is” or with a warranty.
3. Check the exterior. Look for any dents, rust marks, mismatched panels, etc.
4. Check the interior. Make sure that everything looks perfect. Certain smells, sagging seats, stains on carpets can mean that the car was in an accident or flood damage. You just have to make sure you inspect the interior.
5. Check under the hood. The engine, radiator, and battery should be grease-free, and then check the transmission fluid and oil to make sure that everything is as it should be.
6. Check the tires. Heavy wear on the outside shoulder of the tire can mean that the car was driven hard, which in turn could indicate other problems with the car. Make sure the wear is even on the left and right sides.
7. Check the steering. Make sure that the car doesn’t go to the right or left when driving on smooth roads at normal speeds. Some problems with steering are minor, but some are not and very expensive to fix.
8. Check the suspension. This can be done by pushing down on each fender hard and then let go. The car should “rebound softly, once or twice.” If not, there could be problems.
9. Check the tailpipe. If any colored smoke comes out, beware of a problem.
10. Step on the gas. If the car revs excessively before it accelerates, this could be a sign of a worn-out clutch or damaged automatic transmission, which are REALLY expensive to fix.
11. Check for recalls. Go to www.nhtsa.dot.gov to see if there are any for the car.
12. Check the vehicle’s history. Go to www.carfax.com or www.autocheck.com to check and make sure the information that you are getting about the car is correct.
13. Check with a mechanic. Before you buy a used car, have a qualified mechanic look at the car. This usually costs about $120, but it’s worth it if they find something that would cost a lot more than that.
So, here is the information that will help you with buying a used car. For more details descriptions, you can go to consumerreports.org to help you make sure that a lemon is not in your future!