Experts Offer Car Shoppers Tips on How to Buy a Used Car

RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 1, 2004; According to CarMax, this time of year offers car shoppers more choices than ever if they are looking for a used car. This is because auto manufacturers are in the midst of their model year changeover, resulting in even more used cars available for smart, value- conscious car shoppers.

"The used car shopping process can be full of hassles, particularly if car shoppers don't know what to look for to ensure they are buying the highest- quality used vehicles," says Cliff Wood, vice president of merchandising at CarMax. Wood is in charge of 550 expert buyers who have appraised almost five million cars to date. To assist car shoppers in finding the very best used cars, Wood and the CarMax buying team offer the following tips:

REMEMBER TO "VIEW" BEFORE YOU SHOP

Vehicle value comparison. You can use The Actual Selling Price Guide here on The Auto Channel to compare the values of vehicles you are interested in. Also, check the cars' reliability ratings in a trusted publication, such as Consumer Reports.

Internet research. Use the Internet to research vehicle types, makes, models, options, features and prices. Visit carmax.com to see actual prices and photos of nearly every vehicle make and model. You can also visit http://www.carmax.com/ to get lists and facts about buying a used car. Print out fact sheets or information about the vehicles you are interested in, so you can remind yourself about what you want when you step onto the lot.

Estimate the value of your trade-in. You can research the estimated value online. Or, bring your car to CarMax or another honest dealer. CarMax will appraise and make a cash offer on any car a consumer has the legal right to sell, without requiring a purchase. Visit any CarMax location for details.

Warranty and guarantee research. Understand the guarantees and warranties the car seller offers. Is there a return or exchange policy? How long or for how many miles does the warranty last? What does the warranty cover? What is not covered? Federal law mandates that if dealers advertise a "warranty" or "guarantee," they are required to show you copies of the warranty or guarantee at their places of business. Do not hesitate to ask to see the dealer warranty or guarantee.

BE "CERTAIN" WHEN SHOPPING

Cosmetic issues. Check for cosmetic problems because they could indicate that the vehicle's previous owner did not take good care of the car. Common signs of wear and tear in used cars include cigarette burns, dirty upholstery, smoke stains, and paint scratches and chips.

"If you suspect a vehicle has been painted, run your fingers along the edges of the hood or panel you think has been painted, offers Wood. "If you find a rough finish, it could have been caused by over-spray during painting."

Every safety feature. Check the vehicle's safety features. Consider a vehicle with multiple air bags, anti-lock brakes, and daytime running lights.

Remaining life. Inspect the vehicle's mileage, because it is a good indicator of the car's age, remaining life on a manufacturer's warranty and any necessary future repairs. The average consumer will put about 15,000 miles on his/her car annually.

Tires. Examine the tires. Uneven tread can be a sign that the car may need an alignment, or that it has damage to its suspension. Make sure the spare tire is in working condition, too, with no damage or excessive wear.

AWD/4WD system. Always check the all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive system, if applicable, to ensure that it is in sound mechanical condition.

Inspection/certification definition. "Certified" can mean anything from putting a car through a car wash to vehicles that are certified through a manufacturer's certification program. If a dealer claims a vehicle is "certified," find out who certified the vehicle and the standards applied to certify it. For instance, CarMax puts each of the vehicles it sells through a 125-point certified quality inspection and was one of the first to certify vehicles back in 1993.

Never forget the mechanical condition. Inspect the vehicle's fluids, lights, belts, power steering, charging system, air conditioner, engine cooling system, brakes, and suspension. Look for any defects and wear.

KNOW WHERE THE CAR IS "FROM"

Frame and flood damage: Be on the lookout for frame and flood damage. Seriously damaged cars may be repaired, "re-titled," and sold, masking a vehicle that may not be structurally or mechanically sound. Cars that have been previously damaged may be more likely to have mechanical problems and will not be as reliable in an accident as a car that has never had frame damage.

To find frame damage, look for a door, hood or trunk lid that doesn't close properly. Also, look and feel under the body for clamp marks on the frame rails.

Some indicators of flood damage may include rust under the brake or gas pedals or a damp, moldy smell in the car.

Reports: See if the seller has an AutoChek or Carfax report available for the vehicle. If not, ask the seller to run one, or you do it yourself with each service's Web site. Both use a car's VIN number to trace the vehicle's history and will reveal if the care has been totaled, involved in a major accident, had its odometer tampered with, stolen, or declared a lemon.

Odometer: Look for odometer problems. Check for an odometer replacement sticker, located in the doorjamb of the driver's door. Any vehicle with a replaced odometer has a title branded "True Mileage Unknown." This should show up on an AutoChek or Carfax report.

Make sure the odometer clicks off miles when the car is driven. If this isn't happening, this could be an indicator of an odometer that has been tampered with. This is a serious issue, because mileage is a good indicator of a vehicle's remaining life and therefore, its value.

Manufacturer's buyback sticker. This sticker is located in the driver's side doorjamb. This indicates that a vehicle has been bought back by the manufacturer, meaning it's a lemon. This should show up on a Carfax or AutoChek report.