| Most buyers of new cars are probably familiar with | | | | inspected by certified mechanics prior to their being |
| lemon laws, which allow consumers a refund or | | | | offered for sale. This will help, in time, but what can a |
| replacement when their car turns out to be defective. | | | | potential buyer do now? |
| These laws generally cover leased cars as well as | | | | Ask to have a certified mechanic examine the car |
| purchased ones, and they have worked well as a | | | | before purchase. Any reasonable dealer should allow |
| consumer protection tool. Unfortunately, no such laws | | | | you to take the car to a mechanic; if not, you should |
| exist for used cars, and buyers should be careful | | | | probably shop elsewhere. |
| when purchasing them. | | | | Get a list of the car's known problems in writing prior |
| Many car dealers offer "certified used cars" that come | | | | to purchase. Inquire as to whether you have any |
| with some sort of warranty, but most independent | | | | recourse should something go wrong after the sale. |
| used car dealers do not. In most states, the law | | | | Ask the salesperson if the car has any sort of |
| permits used car dealers to sell cars "as is", and in that | | | | warranty, and if so, get it in writing. If they tell you the |
| case, anything that goes wrong, even if it happens five | | | | car is sold "as is", ask them to define those terms |
| minutes after purchase, becomes the buyer's problem. | | | | exactly. |
| Dealers selling cars on an "as is" basis often aren't | | | | Contact your local Better Business Bureau to see if |
| even required to disclose any problems a vehicle might | | | | they have had any complaints about that particular |
| have to potential buyers. Most independent car dealers | | | | dealer. |
| sell older, less expensive cars than those sold at major | | | | If possible, purchase a used car from a dealership that |
| auto dealerships. A lot of the profits that independent | | | | offers certified used cars with a written warranty. |
| used car dealers make come from financing, | | | | Buying a used car is more problematic than buying a |
| particularly from financing those with bad or poor | | | | new one. After all, a used car is one that someone |
| credit. Those with problem credit often find that such | | | | else didn't want anymore. Buyers who are considering |
| dealerships, which self-finance, are their only chance at | | | | a purchase of a used car should be aware that their |
| obtaining a car loan. These loans, with their resulting | | | | protection under the laws of most states is quite |
| high payments, often leave buyers without any extra | | | | limited. Asking a few questions and doing some |
| cash to pay for repairs of undisclosed problems. | | | | investigation prior to making the purchase may save |
| Legislators in several states are considering laws that | | | | buyers thousands of dollars down the road. |
| will require used car dealers to have their cars | | | | |