Having worked in the Automotive business for many years I have seen  vehicles that were truly a bargain and some that were a little ripe on the vine. The purpose of this guide is to inform you to be a little more careful when buying a car.

   Used car, preowned, barely used, lease turn in, executive demo, corporate buy back, factory car, and about a thousand other names all translate to USED CAR.  A used car is one with mileage and one that the title has been issued to someone before you purchased it.  Some cars go from the owner to owner and some from an owner to dealer then to you.  Some cars have had the title transferred from one dealer to another many times and depending on the state you are purchasing the vehicle in that may show as an attachment to a title.  you should ask to see the title and all attached paperwork,  fax it, email it and review it. 

   Many vehicles state clean vehicle history, via one of the major companies that watch such things.  Unfortunately not all repairs may show on that creampuff you are considering.  Some vehicles may have been creamed and it doesn't show anywhere.  There are dealers that search for vehicles that have clean titles but have obviously been repaired.  They offer those vehicles below market and you drive away thinking you got a bargain and in some cases you may have gotten a bargain, even if it was damaged.  But,  and there is always a but.  Make sure the warranty is in force, if there is a manufacturer's warranty.  I have seen cars that the engine was pushed back into the firewall and to the naked eye it looked fine,  but when the vehicle went in for service the manufacturer voided the warranty due to major front end damage.

   For the past few years manufacturers put a sticker on body parts with the serial number on fenders, doors, hoods, etc.  check those numbers to be sure those numbers match the vehicle identification number  (VIN)  some call the serial number.  If the panel has been replaced the number will be missing. If  someone tries to remove that number from one body part to another it will read void. 

   It is more difficult today,  but not impossible to alter mileage. There are still dealers caught regularly "spinning"  the speedometer.  Check up not only on the car but the source.  Dealers generally maintain a bond and in many cases if they purchased the vehicle from the auction, the vehicle has been scrutinized by the auction and is less likely to be questionable,  unless the dealer seeks those questionable vehicles, ( obvious repairs,  no reported history...

  Appearance is usually a good indicator as to the quality of the car.  Unfortunately there are ways to sweeten that lemon.  Interiors can be treated with a machine to make a smoke infested car smell like new,  sometimes it is permanent,  sometimes it is temporary.  The same goes for interior  repair of worn carpets, burn holes and cracked dashes and leather.  Many of the repairs are not apparent to the naked eye mainly because the naked eye is looking at the big picture instead of all the pixels.  Scratches and chips can be touched up and once again the repair may be permanent but it also may be temporary.

Mechanically,  there are oil treatments to prevent burning oil, leaky transmissions and knocking engines.  A newer car can have a bad engine noise as well as an older car. It sometimes can be treated and sometimes it may never have a problem,  but once again the fix may be and is usually temporary. 

Now that you found that car,  understand financing. Learn about simple interest and rules of 78 loans,  they effect your ability to pay off the loan early.  Make sure you read what you sign.  Individuals are still getting cheated in scams where they thought they bought a vehicle,  when in fact they were just leasing it.  Understand that there is a tremendous profit source in financing for the dealer.  If you are looking at a new car the dealer is more restricted on price and interest rate than if that same car is offered used.  Check rebates on the new car,before buying current year used cars,  you may find a regional rebate or discount that makes that new car actually cheaper than the used one.  Read  all the paperwork some dealers will have you sign over rebates to them that you did not know even existed.  Read  all the papers closely, don't finance for more than 5 years and generally it pays to sell that car before it is paid off.  Depending on your situation.   In addition,  make sure you do not buy a car that is speculative.  Many companies have gone out of business in the past and the people who own those vehicles may have a nice vehicle but it has no value.  Be prepared to keep that vehicle longer in coming years,  but also put enough down payment so you are not "upside down"  (you owe more than the vehicle is worth). 

If buying on the internet,  follow the rules,  never pay outside the recommended payment methods established by ebay.  Do not think that that car you are looking at is a steal,  generally if you think it is a steal, it probably was stolen.  good luck and happy motoring,  if you can find gas to put in your bargain.