What to do Before Purchasing a Used Car

1. Have the used vehicle inspected by a trusted repair shop familiar with pre-purchase inspections. The AAA Approved Auto Repair network is a great resource for reputable repair facilities.
2. Plan on paying for one to two hours of labor for most vehicle inspections (approximately $75 - $150). Information gained from this inspection will be a deciding factor in your purchase and should be used to negotiate the purchase price in your favor
3. The pre-purchase inspection should also produce an estimate for required repairs. If the repair facility only lists what needs to be done, but not how much, ask for an estimate in writing. Take this to the negociating table if you’re still interested in purchasing the vehicle
4. Look for historic records. The perception is that a large stack of paperwork in the glove compartment means it’s a money pit. This isn’t always true as full disclosure of past records will usually indicate good maintenance habits
5. If the vehicle is in the 60,000-90,000 mile range, ask if there is documentation regarding the timing belt being replaced. This can be an expensive service and even more expensive if it is neglected. Assuming it has already been replaced can be a costly mistake
6. Inquire about vehicle recall items. If safety items on the vehicle have not been fixed (at the manufacturers cost) this is a red flag. If safety items are not addressed properly, it’s a good bet that recommended maintenance hasn’t been either
7. Go online and get the recorded history of the vehicle such as Carfax
8. As always, if a seller won’t let you have the vehicle inspected, consider this a big red flag.

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