Choosing a Used Car: How to Avoid a Lemon

When shopping for a new car, if you stick with the top makers, there is little chance you will wind up with a lemon. The tougher task is to get a fair price. With used cars, you still want a fair price, but your risk of overpaying is probably lower than with a new car. Top priority is to avoid a lemon. We'll show you some ways to improve your odds.

This year, for each new car or truck that gets sold, about three used vehicles will be resold -- all told, about 45 million used cars and trucks
will be sold in 1999, according to industry experts.
Used-vehicle sales will be about equally split among new-car dealers, independent used-car lots and private transactions (classified ads).

According to Oregon-based CNW Marketing/Research, the average private car will be sold for $4,300; the average sale on an independent used-car lot will be for $7,300; and the average used car at a new-car dealer will go for $12,200. These prices reflect the average age of the vehicles being sold, with many of the used cars sold by new-car dealers having just come off lease.

• When considering a used car, choose models with good service histories: check independent used car reliability ratings.
  
  

• Find yourself a good mechanic (ask car-savvy friends or acquaintances for referrals) and ask him to check out your prospective purchase. Have him check for the specific problems most cited for that particular model in the reviews. Also have the emissions tested before you buy.
  
  
  

• Buy a car that still has warranty protection, such as fleet cars, demos, executive trade-ins and off-lease vehicles.
  
  

• When you buy a "factory-certified" used car, you can expect to get extra warranty protection. Factory-certified cars are generally high-end models coming off lease. They typically come with a one-year factory warranty.
  
  

• Check your local classified listings; the used car market is so local, Kelley Blue Book values are not always fully reflective of local differences, says Fighting Chance's James Bragg.
  
  

• Avoid used cars coming from rental agencies; they've had countless drivers, and you can bet some of them drove the car pretty hard.