Certified Used Cars & Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles

1. Never purchase a car (used or otherwise) unless you are able to test drive it! There are a privileged few (myself included) who can see a lemon from a mile away. But only assume that you cannot tell if a vehicle sucks or if it is a winner simply by looking at it. Be sure to take it for a spin. Bring a buddy (a mechanically inclined friend preferred) to drive it as well to get a second opinion because two heads are always better than one. Listen for odd engine sounds, smoke coming from your tail pipe or under the hood, steering system issues, and other troubles. The test drive will be love at 1st sight or a date from hell... Go with you gut feeling on buying an automobile and not your demand to have one so badly. Or simply go home and sleep on it if your doubtful... pre-owned cars

2.Leave yourself enough money to do miscellaneous care. After buying a used car, its always wise to purchase new tires (with a guarantee), a brand new battery, get a tune up & oil change, replace all the fluids and fuses, have the alternator and starter checked, etc. There are several things that people forget to do that can extend the life of their (new)used vehicle substantially. But your cars previous life is through and it is getting a second chance with you as its new owner, so keep up the care as well. The very last thing you need to happen is the alternator dying and killing your battery along the way. After purchasing your used vehicle, myself have also found that buying the Haynes Auto Repair Guide for your specific auto as an excellent reference instrument to give you a fundamental general knowledge of your vehicle.

3. Set mileage limits! The capability to gauge how many miles is too many on a used vehicle is necessary because cars are just as good as their previous owners treated them. A 10 year old automobile with 100,000 to 150,000 miles is a great bet, seeing as how cars are estimated to be driven 15,000 miles per year. Used autos at or around 200,000 miles can be diamonds in the rough, but it's HIGHLY likely you're going to spend some cash replacing some key components soon, so use caution. Yet any car over 300,000 miles is promised to have troubles. Keep your cash and prevent this death trap no matter what!

4. Walk away if you hear... "We just replaced the heads!", "The car was overheating!", "I think the heads are deciphered!", "I do not have the title, but I've a bill of sale!", "Your gonna need a tow truck because it does not run!", "I've no idea why It will not begin and I do not care!", "It will not go in reverse!", "It needs a timing belt!", and any car difficulty including the word "Transmission". Unless your a seasoned mechanic or related to one and your getting a bargain, usually do not even waste your time on this particular inevitable fiberglass and steel disappointment. This car is a ticking time bomb. So walk away... quickly!

5. Do a walk-a-round, interior & out review. Open all the doors, hood and trunk, check if the windows work, check the tires for tread and check the wheels for all of the lug nuts, look for leaking fluids under the vehicle (oil, anti-freeze, etc.), gasoline cap, air filter, functioning AC and heat, check for working head and tail lights, windshield wipers, reverse lights, mirrors, working in-dash gauges, seat belts, a spare tire & a jack, etc., Everything! Everything that you may list and check off, take action! A few of these may look slight, but the more you understand in what your purchasing means you can make a more informed choice before you buy.