| It's always risky buying a car, whether it's new or used. | | | | year if your car turns out to have mechanical |
| However there are some safeguards to minimize your | | | | problems. The dealer who sold you the car either has |
| risk. Whether you are buying a new or used car, be | | | | to return your money, or exchange your car. However, |
| sure and do your research on auto reliability, gas | | | | the dealer will be allowed to subtract money for the |
| mileage, resale value, and fair market price. You may | | | | depreciation of your car. |
| also want to check insurance rates. If you are buying a | | | | In order for your car to qualify for coverage under the |
| used vehicle you may also want to take it to a | | | | lemon laws, you must have experienced one of the |
| mechanic to check out. The one thing you do not want | | | | following: |
| to forget to do is to run the VIN number (Vehicle | | | | - Four attempts to fix a problem without success, |
| Identification Number) through a database to find out | | | | using both the dealer and manufacturer. |
| more about the history of the car. | | | | - The inability to drive your car for 30 days or more |
| Good bodywork can disguise a lot of problems if it has | | | | because of any mechanical problems. |
| been in an accident. It may even have been totaled | | | | You should not have to go to court to get your money |
| and rebuilt. We have a lot of shops that do that in our | | | | back under these laws. There are some federally |
| area. You want to avoid them like the plague. Be sure | | | | approved arbitration programs that your dealer may |
| and do your research online before buying any car. | | | | be affiliated with. If that is the case, you will have to |
| Always check out the VIN number to see the history | | | | first submit your claim to them. If you were unhappy |
| of the vehicle. You would think that if you pay the | | | | with the outcome, then you would have to go to court. |
| money for a brand new car you would be safe. | | | | If this happens to you, be sure and check with your |
| Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Many new | | | | state's Attorney General's office for full details on how |
| cars are built with serious defects. That is where the | | | | these laws apply in your state. Keep accurate records. |
| "lemon laws" comes into effect. | | | | Minimize your risk, and protect your pocketbook. |
| Basically, under the lemon laws, you are covered for a | | | | |