Before you check anything else you should take a look at the oil. Make sure that the oil is filled to the full mark on the dipstick and then check it. If the color is golden brown or any lighter than that then you have good oil passing through the engine. However, if you have a dark colored oil, or black oil, then this can indicate a problem – namely that the car has a dirty engine. This might not be a surefire sign to discount the car from consideration, but you should at least ask for a discount if you experience this. Be aware that is the owner gets the oil changed, the oil will be the right color again – at least for a while so don’t be fooled by this.

Another major factor that you should check carefully is whether or not the engine is overheating. Asking the owner if the engine overheats may get you results with a honest seller or dealer, but the best way to determine whether or not it overheats is to let the car cool down for a while and then remove the radiator cap. If the coolant inside is free of great and oil, not to mention debris and other substances, and if the coolant is full then you probably are okay. If the engine does overheat then the coolant will probably escape and you will notice leaks. Check the tube that runs from the engine block to the radiator for leaks.

One important thing that you should do is to check the frame of the car. Make sure that the only a little rust that is on the car is on the body and surface. If you notice signs of extensive rusting or rotting on the frame of the vehicle, then it will not be safe to drive. This is a common practice in those purchasing classic cars for rebuilding, but it should be done on used cars as well. Another item that you should check for rest is the floor pan underneath the driver’s side seat, as this area can become rusty from all the debris on the driver’s shoes.

You’ll also want to carefully check the car for damage from any repairs or accidents that the vehicle may have been in, including the insides of the door frames and the lid of the trunk as well as checking the engine compartment steel for wrinkles or looking at the paint to determine if the car has a new paint job. A more modern way of doing this is a vehicle history report that will tell you the majority of things that your used car has gone through, and is well worth the nominal fee that is charged for this service. A well known company that provides this is CarFax.

Check that all the lights work, the door locks are functional and that the horn is working as well as the windshield wipers. Also, examine the glass in the car to make sure that it is not on its last leg – er, shard. These are minor repairs to make if you are getting a good deal on a used car, but it is important to note that they will usually have to be in working order for the vehicle to pass an inspection. Also, check the underside of the car for any leaks that may indicate serious problems in the future.

Check that the brakes work and the tires have an even amount of wear. Brake problems could present with symptoms like squealing or squeaking, or having trouble stopping the car. Feather the brakes when you are test driving to determine if they are smooth or warped. Also, when you drive the car make sure that is is straight and that you can travel in a straight line with minor corrections. Alignment problems can be as simple as an alignment service or they could be an extremely costly repair. Let go of the wheel while traveling at a high speed and see if the car pulls one direction or another.

Do:

• Do consult the consumer reports directory for the most reliable vehicles before you go shopping and the Kelly Blue Book for pricing.
• Do try to get your own financing if you are not paying cash. Rarely will you get a better deal with dealership financing.
• Do test drive the car before you buy it, both in the city and on the highway, and listen carefully for sounds that don’t sound normal.
• Do consider buying from a new car dealership. Although you may pay a little more, they generally offer better service and much higher quality vehicles, and even offer certified used cars with extended warranties.
• Do pretend you really aren’t all that interested when shopping for a car, and take someone level headed with you if you have a habit of getting drawn in by salesman.
• Do get a Car Fax Vehicle History Report. They aren’t just a good idea, but can keep you from making a very bad decision.

Don’t:

• Don’t assume that you have three days to return a car when you buy it. This is only true in select areas.
• Don’t tell them you have a trade in until after you have negotiated a bottom line price for the car.
• Don’t pay for add one like protective coats, detailing or any ridiculous fees that make no sense.
• Don’t negotiate from the listed price downward. Look up the Kelly Blue Book price and negotiate upward.

Whether you buy from a private owner, or a used car dealership, negotiating is part of the buying process. Most people – dealers included – ask more than what they expect to get for the car in the hopes that someone will come along and pay the listed price, or to allow themselves room to negotiate if needs be. Expect to negotiate for 10 to 25 percent less than the listed price of the car if you can, and even more than that if you are buying from a car dealership who will take in your used car as a trade in vehicle.

Legal Aspects and Returns

The big question that most people ask when considering buying a used car is whether they can return it if it breaks down. This is a complicated question which depends upon a few different things. The first thing that you need to understand is that if you buy a car from a private owner, you are not afforded the protection under the law that dealerships must adhere to. However, even if you buy a car from a dealership they may have no obligation to ensure the car will work after you take it off the lot either. This all depends on what is called a used car buyer’s guide, and it will generally be posted in the window of every used car on the lot.

For instance, the dealer may mark the car “As Is” which means that if you buy the car, and it breaks down one block from the car dealership – you may be out of luck. It is vital that you have As Is cars checked by a third party mechanic before you buy. The Buyer’s Guide will show any contractual provisions that the dealer is offering with the car, and any warranties that you get when buying the vehicle. It is important to note that in some states there is what is called a recision period, in which the dealership must take a return if requested within three days of the sale date. However, each state varies and your best bet is to thoroughly research the laws regarding returns on used vehicles in your area.

Warranties & Service Agreements

On some vehicles, you may have warranties and service agreements that come with the car, depending upon how new the car is and the dealership that you are going with. These warranties and agreements should be listed on the buyers guide. Never, ever take a dealer’s word for something. Make them list it on the contract before you buy or they have no legal obligation to honor it. Although used car dealers had a reputation for being crooked in decades past, today, most are pretty honest. However,  you should always protect yourself by getting everything in writing. That includes promises from a private seller as well.

Top Rated Used Cars in Reliability

Honda Accord

According to Warranty Direct, the top car for reliability out of all of the cars from the last ten years or so is the Honda Accord a family car that is put together well, and the car holds onto its resell value well, especially if it was taken care of by previous owners. The first Honda Accord was introduced in 1992 and they are still making them today. This is a terrific car for the value besides being rated number one in safety.

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is the second car on our list and this classy SUV feels like a sports car trapped inside the frame of an SUV. The car is extremely reliable, except for engine problems in the 2005 and older models mostly having to do the catalytic converter failure that makes the check engine light come on. However, the warranty from Subaru for the catalytic converter is for eight years or 80,000 miles so you may still be able to get that part replaced free of charge if it is under warranty. Otherwise it runs $500 to $700 to get it fixed.

Mazda MX-5 Miata

Every since 2001 the Mazda Miata has proven reliability in all areas including engine, transmission and driveline, steering, suspension, AC and heating and starting as well as being the plan for the modern roadster vehicle. The MX-5 Miata offers superior handling and powerful engines as well as an body style that is sleek and stylish and offers a unique look found in very few other automobiles. The Mazda MX1 Miata was most recently updated in 2009, so you may want to look at those models first if you can afford a car that new.

Mitsubishi Carisma

Okay, so there’s the name. A poor choice perhaps and when you look at the car it doesn’t really dress to impress and performance behind the wheel simply isn’t anything that you would write in your blog about. But now that we’ve alienated everyone who was thinking about the Carisma here are the good things and why it makes our list of the top reliable used cars. This hatchback will simply work and work and work and is consistently rated among the most reliable automobiles in the world. Bottom Line: The Carisma will last for as long as you want it to.

Toyota Yaris

Okay, so the Toyota Yaris might look more like an inflatable balloon heading for a Macy’s Day Parade than an actual car, but the fact is that you won’t find many more cars that receive this high of reliability rating. Not only that, but this supermini has a massive amount of room compared to other small cars and a great engine as well. The first Yaris was released in 2007, but four the last four years has been consistent in meeting or exceeding safety and reliability standards.

Used Cars to Stay Away From if you Want Reliability

While these are a few of the top picks of cars to think about if you are looking for reliability above all else, there are also cars that you simply should try to avoid if possible. These include cars that people experience problems with over and over again, and should be avoided if reliability is one of the factors you are using to pick a used car. Here are four cars that you simply should skip unless you are a world class mechanic that has all the free time in the world and lots of parts that you simply don’t know what else to do with.

Chevrolet Blazer

The Chevrolet Blazer has been plagued by problems no matter which year you look at and all having to do with the engine and the transmission and driveline. Mainly, the engine problems come from the failure of the Engine Oil Cooler Lines, and repairs can range anywhere from $200 to $500 for parts and labor depending upon whether you have a Rear Wheel Drive or a Four Wheel Drive. As for the transmission problems, the encoder motor on the transfer case often goes out, which is around a $600-$800 repair.

Lincoln Aviator

The Lincoln Aviator gets a bad rap by people that are rating used cars because the first model that came out, the 2003, was fraught with engine problems, repairs in the steering and suspension and braking problems as well as trouble with the accessories but it is important to note that if you are interested in buying one of the other two models that were made, the 2004 and 2005 models, that you should be fine as far as reliability. The 2003 model however, experienced problems with the IACV, the differential pressure feedback EGR sensor and a myriad of other problems with the engine as well as failure of the ball joints and Anti-Lock Braking System Failure. Some other problems were reported with the under the dash fuse panel and general electronic module.

Kia Sedona

Kia often claims to be one of the most reliable auto manufacturers but on some of the Sedona Models they unfortunately failed. The 2007 and 2008 Sedonas suffered from engine problems mostly stemming from the fact that the Serpentine Belt Idler Pulley would go out. However, there were some other engine problems reported and it is a good idea to skip these two years of the Sedona if possible. If you do decide to get one, and the pulley goes out the good news is, it is only about a $100 repair.

Where to Find Used Cars

There are many places to find used cars, and the conventional method of looking for them may not be the most effective. For instance, most people turn to the classified ads when they want to purchase a used car, or begin shopping at the car dealer nearest to their home. However, there are more modern ways to purchase a car, especially with the advent of the internet and the information that can be provided on a website. You should consider all methods of looking for a car and then choose ones that you can use to find the perfect car.

One option is the classifieds in your local newspaper. But, while this is a great place to check out, don’t overlook online classifieds such as Craig’s List where ads are free and you may find a better deal or more variety. Also, you can often find cars for sale posted on bulletin boards at your local university or other public places. Your city may have other publications either online, or in print, which may feature used cars as well so make sure you check out all available sources before you begin to narrow down your choices. You may end up getting a better deal than you expect.

As far as car dealers go, if you decide to go this route then you should consider searching on the internet to find the car dealer that is the most honest, and has the most satisfied customers. Not only that, but many car dealerships, even small ones that sell used cars, have websites where you can view pictures, mileage and other vital information about the cars that they have for sale. Also, there are large websites like Yahoo Autos that allow you to select exactly what you want and then search for the cars that fit your parameters in your local area.

For instance, even if you aren’t buying a sports car, you do need to ask yourself if you want a two door or a four door. The body style of your car may be the most important thing that you have to decide upon. For instance, do you want room for passengers or cargo? Do you want an SUV or a hatchback? These are all things that you need to ask yourself before you begin shopping. Once you have a basic sketch of the car you want, with “must haves” and “nice to haves” then you can begin looking up the types of cars that you want, so that you can see both what they generally go for, and what kind of options they might offer.

Choosing the right used car does not need to be difficult, but you do need to determine what is important to you. Is it more important that you car get better gas mileage, or have a high safety rating. If you live in an area where snowfall is a concern, does your car need four wheel drive? Also, you may want to consider whether or not you want a hybrid, both for environmental concerns and fuel efficiency. Another fair question is what sort of depreciation the car will go through. Of course, you don’t want to leave out the basics such as automatic or standards, gas or diesel and whether or not you require an automatic braking system (ABS).

It should come as no surprise to you that a brand new Porsche may cost an arm and a leg to insure, but what might be shocking is that some rates on cars that people drive everyday are pretty high too. A good rule of thumb is horsepower. Generally, the more horsepower a car has, the more it will cost to insure. Another general guide is that the cars that people drive that they would rather not be seen in, such as your mother’s minivan, are the least costliest to insure. However, you shouldn’t rely on generalizations, but get a solid quote whenever you can.

Used Car Mileage

Mileage on used cars may vary, and what’s a decent mileage number on one car, may be extremely high for another, because different cars will give up the ghost at different mileages. However, mileage can also vary from one exact model to another depending upon how well the previous owner, or owners took care of it. A good guideline to use when shopping a used car is 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. Any more than that and you are taking more risk with your used car. Alongside the mileage you should attempt to get the car’s maintenance records and base your decision in part upon that as well.

Dealerships & Private Owners

When buying a used car you have the choice of going with a dealership or a private owner. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. While a private owner may give you a better deal than a car lot, they also may not be willing to do the maintenance on it, and you will not get the same protection that you would by going with a dealership, as there are laws and rules that govern car sales. However, there are some disadvantages to going with a dealer as well. One is that they will try to get a higher price than what the car may be listed at, and since they know how to work the system you may find yourself taken advantage of if you don’t know what you are doing.

Taking The Risk Out of Buying a Used Car

If you want to take some of the risk out of buying a used car from a dealer then the first thing that you should do is decide where you are going to shop for the car, and then check out the dealers that you are considering to see if their previous customers were happy with them, and if they have sold cars that gave out or had major problems in the past. This is usually fairly easy to check, with a simple internet search for customer reviews, or by contacting the better business bureau to determine if they have had any claims filed against them.

As far as eliminating some of the risk when the car is being purchased from a private party, the best thing that you can do is to ask a lot of questions about the car, and pay attention to the answers. If the seller is evasive, or tries to manipulate you into purchasing quickly, or drops the price when you start asking questions then you might want to question their honesty. However, you can also pay a small fee to have a mechanic check the car out before you buy it. If you have narrowed the vehicles you are considering to just one or two this might be financially viable and keep you from buying a lemon.

Car Values and Prices

You can get a general idea on what a car’s value is simply by browsing the internet and looking at car values. However, a much more accurate method is to look up the car, with the information that you have about it, in the Kelly Blue Book, a directory that maintains up to date car prices on vehicles. The Blue Book will tell you the price that you might receive for a trade in from a car dealership, what a private seller might sell it for, and what the retail price is for a car dealership. These are just suggested prices, but they can be an accurate estimate as to whether or not someone is trying to take you. There is no charge for the service on the Kelly Blue Book website.

Your Used Car Budget

You’ll also need to decide what your budget is for a used car. For most people this is fairly simple, as they have set money aside for the purchase. But you’ll need to decide if you want to spend extra to get certain features or if your budget is absolutely fixed. Also, you might want to consider what you’ll do with the money if you get a great deal, such as getting an extended service plan, a new paint job or new tires. Your budget is the first step before you go shopping for a car, because it will eliminate a lot of wasted time on cars that you can’t afford.

The first thing that you need to understand is the there are two types of Lemon Laws. The first is a federal law that protects consumers from cars that fail to meet standards of quality and performance over and over again. This means that car manufacturers that continue to sell cars that don’t run, or are unsafe, can be subject to legal action. The official name of the federal Lemon Law is the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and it applies to citizens in every state. This law may exceed the warranties normally offered by dealerships or outlined in the purchase contracts.

Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

This federal law protects the buyer of any products, not just cars, that cost more than $25 and has a warranty that is put in writing. The act exists to prevent car manufacturers from creating warranties that are completely unfair to consumers, and allows consumers to sue for warranties such as this without having to pay a fortune in court costs or attorney’s fees, in other words, making the car manufacturer liable for these fees if the case is won. This is because in the past, it was simply not an financially sound decision to sue over a warranty, as the attorney’s fees negated whatever was won.
Another law exists in the Uniform Commercial Code or the UCC which is valid in all fifty states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This law deals with contracts that come with the sale of a product and allows the customer to receive a refund on an item that has been deemed a lemon. However, the decision as to whether or not a car, or any other item that you want a refund on, is a lemon or not rests with the court systems. However, if you do win a case and the company gives you a refund, they are also likely responsible for your attorney’s fees through the Federal Lemon Law of state specific laws.

State Lemon Laws

Beyond the Magnuson-Moss Act and the UCC, each state has different laws as to how they deal with used cars and other products that are ‘lemons’ as well as how they define a  product as such. It can be difficult to know whether or not you are covered by your particular state for a specific situation but here are some general guidelines that will help you in many of the fifty states regarding local lemon laws and consumer protection.

The first thing that you should be aware of is that in most states, the lemon laws are very specific on what types of vehicles that they will cover. Each state varies slightly, but most states do not cover motor homes or vehicles that has a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or more. Many states will also specify that a vehicle has to be self propelled so that it does not cover bicycles and other vehicles that are not propelled by themselves. Also, some states restrict the number of wheels that a vehicle must have or may have in order to be covered.

Some also stipulate that the vehicle must be used primarily for the highways and roadways which means that farm vehicles such as tractors and off road vehicles like ATV’s. Also, many times motor homes are excluded from these lemon laws as well. Also, keep in mind that some states, such as Delaware and Colorado exclude motorcycles from these Lemon Laws and Florida excludes Mopeds as well. Make sure that you are aware of what the lemon law covers in your particular state before you buy if you are concerned about having to be protected by it after the sale.

Once you determine what kind of vehicles are covered by the lemon law then you must find out what sort of coverage periods and intervals are required by the state specific law. For instance, some states cover the vehicle for the warranty period, or for a certain period of time such as a year, while others cover up to a certain amount of miles or miles or period of time, whichever comes first. Also, there is a certain number of repairs that must be attempted in some states as well to be covered by the Lemon Law and this will generally only include repairs for the same problem.

For instance, if your brakes go out and you get them repaired, and then a fuel line gets clogged as well, then that may not fall under the lemon law. However, depending upon the state in question, any vehicle repairs within a certain period of time that can be proven may result in the dealer or manufacturer having to replace the car. Unfortunately, when it comes to lemon laws, there are no hard and fast rules that apply to every state, other than the federal statutes mentioned such as the Magnuson-Moss Warrantly Act and the UCC.

If you are a victim of auto fraud or believe that the Lemon Law may apply to your purchase it is important to keep in mind that in most states you will need to hire an attorney and take the matter to court. It is also important to note that it will be the auto manufacturer that you will be seeking recompense from most of the time rather than the car dealership. Some states have an Arbitration Board that you are required to go through to resolve disputes before you can go to court. Some of these are run by the state and some are private programs.

Actually, certified really is a guarantee that you are getting a great used car. This is primarily because the manufacturer is the one who decides what the standards are for the certified pre-owned vehicle. There are limits in place by the vehicle manufacturer regarding mileage and wear and tear and the vehicles must undergo and pass an extremely thorough inspection in order to be deemed “certified”. Therefore, if you are dealing with a reputable dealer, and the car has been certified, you can usually rest assured that you aren’t purchasing a lemon.

One thing to keep in mind, is that the dealership may attempt to offer you what is commonly called an extended warranty or aftermarket warranty. The basic premise is that the dealership will cover a certain number of repairs, or on certain things, which should all be explained in the terms of your warranty. While there is nothing compellingly wrong about this practice, you should be aware that purchasing a certified used car means that you likely won’t experience any of the problems that the warranty would cover, and is basically some extra cash in the pocket of the dealership.

You should also be aware that the original warranty may still be in effect for the certified pre-owned automobile that you are purchasing and therefore do not need any sort of extended or after market warranty. Another word that you may hear instead of warranty is service contract, which is essentially the same thing, guaranteeing that the dealer will foot the bill or make the repairs for anything that goes wrong that is covered by the service contract. Whether or not you decide to purchase this product is up to you, depending upon the value you place on it.

The main thing to keep in mind here is that no matter what name they file your extended service contract under, you don’t need it if you are purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle from a reputable dealer that you can trust to actually follow the standards and inspection practices set forth by the vehicle manufacturer. Also be aware that a car being “certified” by no means guarantees that you will not have to make any repairs to the vehicle ever, or that they will be covered by the manufacturer when you do. All cars need repairs eventually. Buying certified just means that you will be paying for normal repairs and wear and tear rather than getting taken by a auto dealership.