What to check before you buy a used car

Three checks tell you most of what you need to know about a used car from a dealer. They are the Buyers Guide in the window, a vehicle history report and an inspection by a mechanic you choose. Each one catches something the others miss.

The window sticker

Every used car on a dealer's lot has a Buyers Guide sticker in a window. It shows whether the car is sold "as is" or with a warranty. "As Is, No Dealer Warranty" means the dealer won't pay for any problems or repairs after the sale. The guide also lists the car's major mechanical and electrical systems, and some of the major problems to watch for.

Photograph the guide on the lot. The dealer gives you a copy after the sale, so keep it with the car's papers.

The vehicle history report

A history report may show past accidents and flood damage, but it usually won't show mechanical problems. It doesn't replace an inspection.

The independent inspection

Pay a mechanic you choose to inspect the car before you buy it. Do this even if the dealer says the car has been inspected and certified. A mechanical inspection is different from a state safety inspection, which usually checks only what would make a car unsafe to drive.

If the dealer won't let the car leave the lot, ask them to bring it to a shop you choose, or hire a mobile inspection service that comes to the dealer. Ask the mechanic for a written report with a cost estimate for every repair the car needs, and check that it includes the make, the model and the VIN.

An annotated example

What to do next

Photograph the Buyers Guide on any car you're serious about. Order a history report, then book a mechanic you choose to look at the car before you buy. Keep all three with the car's records if you go ahead.