| Buying a used car can be a great way to save | | | | |
| money, but it can also cost you a lot more if | | | | 2. Lemon Laws Lemon laws protect consumers |
| you end up buying a lemon. Having a lemon | | | | when they purchase a vehicle that has |
| check prior to purchasing a used car is one | | | | repeated problems immediately or very soon |
| of the most important things you can do, and | | | | after purchase. Lemon laws vary by state, so |
| too many people skip this step. Having the | | | | you need to look up your state's laws to know |
| car inspected by an independent third party | | | | what your rights are. |
| is one of the primary ways you can find out | | | | |
| if something is wrong with the car. Believing | | | | Should you find that the vehicle you |
| whatever the seller tells you about the car | | | | purchased is defective, a record of a |
| is not enough, no matter how sincere or | | | | mechanical check can work in your favor. This |
| honest the person appears to be. After all, | | | | ensures that the seller cannot claim that the |
| their motivation is to sell the car. | | | | damage occurred after you purchased the |
| | | | vehicle. Obviously, if a mechanic determines |
| The best place to have a lemon check | | | | that there are serious problems, you should |
| performed is through a dealership that sells | | | | avoid the car. However, if smaller issues are |
| that make and model of car. Mechanics at the | | | | noted that later become bigger issues, you'll |
| dealership are familiar with the parts, know | | | | have a record that these were noted prior to |
| how much repairs cost, and can inform you of | | | | purchase. Of course, this can work against |
| any common problems with a particular model. | | | | you as well. If you learn that a car has |
| It's worth spending the money to have the car | | | | significant problems, it's not worth the |
| inspected. If any repairs are needed, you can | | | | cost. |
| price the repairs and determine your best | | | | |
| option, such as negotiating for a lower price | | | | The types of repairs may also have an effect |
| or walking away. | | | | on whether or not lemon laws apply. Safety |
| | | | issues are of more concern than minor |
| Having a used car inspected prior to purchase | | | | repairs. Therefore, safety-related issues may |
| is probably the most important step in the | | | | require fewer repair attempts than others |
| process. Here are three good reasons why you | | | | under certain lemon laws. |
| should get a lemon check. | | | | |
| | | | Lemon laws apply to vehicles that require |
| 1. You'll Learn More About the Car While a | | | | repeated repairs over a short amount of time. |
| seller may be honest, it's possible that he | | | | So even if you are aware of a needed fix, if |
| or she is unaware of problems with the | | | | the problem is not fixed with one or more |
| vehicle. Alternatively, it could be that the | | | | repairs (sometimes up to four, depending on |
| seller knows that repairs are needed and | | | | the state), you may be protected by lemon |
| wants to sell the car rather than pay for | | | | laws. Be sure to keep detailed records of all |
| repairs. Unfortunately, not everyone is | | | | maintenance, beginning with the first lemon |
| honest, and the only way you can determine | | | | check and any repairs thereafter. |
| the true state of a car is to have it | | | | |
| thoroughly inspected. A vehicle that looks | | | | Also, keep in mind that lemon laws only apply |
| great from the outside may have serious | | | | to vehicles that are used for family or |
| problems inside. A skilled, independent | | | | personal use, at least part of the time. |
| mechanic can give you an honest opinion about | | | | Vehicles used solely for business purposes do |
| the state of the car. | | | | not fall under lemon laws, but other laws |
| | | | apply. |
| A lemon check can also alert you to other | | | | |
| problems such as mileage fraud or other | | | | 3. You'll Save Money Having a lemon check |
| hidden problems with the car. If you run | | | | done on a potential purchase will only save |
| across any suspicious activity, such as | | | | you money in the long run. The check will |
| adjusting mileage or other problems, you can | | | | determine whether you should invest in the |
| walk away from the sale. If you skip having | | | | vehicle to begin with, and will give you an |
| the lemon check, you will never know about | | | | idea of potential repairs and the estimated |
| these issues prior to purchasing the vehicle. | | | | cost. Simply avoiding a lemon can save you |
| | | | hundreds or thousands of dollars, from the |
| In addition, conduct a VIN (Vehicle | | | | initial cost of the vehicle (that you won't |
| Identification Number) search on the car to | | | | be able to resell) to any repairs. |
| learn more about the car's history. | | | | |