Cars are interesting and emotion creating things for some of us. We need them (in most places in the country), we love them at times (usually love them when we first purchase them), we hate them at times (usually when they have stopped being dependable and start nickel and dimming us to death), we try to make the best investment in a vehicle that we can (but we later realize that we lost all kinds of money in what we thought was a great investment), but, in the end, with all of that said most of us really love our cars and try to take care of them as if they were one of our children.

Car, truck, SUV, red, white or blue, most of us really make the best attempt we can to buy what we think we need and want in a vehicle in our favorite color so we feel good when we drive it.

But, every couple of years or so most of us go through, what I like to call, CAR GOO GOO EYES. So if you're in that mode and are going to buy a used vehicle here are some tips that may help you in your quest:

1.) CARFAX CARFAX CARFAX CARFAX, get a car fax using the VIN number (Vehicle Identification Number) usually found on the dashboard on the drivers side of the vehicle. You can go to their web site and for a few bucks get the history of just about any vehicle.

2.) It's not recommended to buy a car that is not registered to the current owner. This will usually cause you to pay for passed due fees on the vehicle as well as the sales tax for the last transfer or further back in the vehicles history.

3.) It's not recommended to buy a vehicle from someone that does not have the Pink Slip (Certificate of Ownership for the vehicle, these certificates were printed on pink paper at one time, hence the name) as will also cause extra fees when transferring the vehicle in your name. Avoid buying a vehicle with a Salvaged Title (usually meaning the vehicle was damaged in some way and the repair costs were more than the vehicle was worth). 

4.) In some regions of the country a Smog Certificate (this is a pollution test of the vehicles emissions) is required to transfer most vehicles into the new owners name. I would recommend some research regarding this issue in your area of the country.

5.) Most car values are determined by the Kelly Blue Book, and now can be found on their web site. Their are three different values that the KKB will give you: Trade In Value; Private Party Value; and Retail Value. Usually buying a used vehicle at Trade in Value or below is key but is also hard to do especially if the vehicle is in very good condition. KBB will also help you rate the conditon of the vehicle based on many factors that are outlined on the site.

6.) When inspecting a vehicle for the first time start by looking at the vehicle all the way around, overall appearance is it clean, does the paint shine, is it waxed, check under the hood for leaks, oil (very sticky substances on the oil dip stick may be additives to hide engine smoking), antifreeze looking for crusty substances that may have been added to seal any radiator leaks (WARNING: ONLY CHECK RADIATOR WHEN ENGINE IS COLD, NEVER REMOVE RADIATOR CAP WITH A WARM OR HOT ENGINE AS RADIATOR FLUID IS EXTREMELY HOT AND MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY), and other fluids, under the vehicle for leaks, etc. Go to the back of the vehicle at both ends and look down both sides to look for high spots or rippling where the vehicle may have been repaired with body filler. Remember, if the vehicle was crashed and not reported it may not show up on the car fax report as being damaged.

7.) Look at all four tires for cracks, dry rot, and uneven wear which may indicate the vehicle needs a wheel alignment or front end work. Test drive the vehicle with the seller and listen for strange sounds, uneven steering wheel movement, etc. Ask the seller as many questions as possible regarding any issues with the vehicle during the test drive. If the seller has had the vehicle for a long time and acts like they know nothing about the vehicle they may be hiding something, BEWARE.

As you can see their are many things to consider when purchasing a used car and the things above are only a few.

SOME IMPORTANT VEHICLE SAFETY CHECKS TO REMEMBER:

PLEASE DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE

PLEASE SECURE YOUR CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE

PLEASE CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE ON ALL FOUR TIRES EVERY WEEK

Your comments are welcome.

Thank you for reading the guide.

KNIVESAMERICA