No one wants to discover just days after they finalize a car purchase, that they purchased a lemon. Thankfully, you can take to protect yourself against purchasing a lemon by doing your research.
Research the Dealership
Start by researching the dealerships. Some dealerships make it a point to personally inspect and fix up each vehicle before they put it up for sale. Other dealerships will sell anything they can pick up at the auto auction to you without fixing it up first.
Look up reviews about the dealership. Check popular review sites such as Yelp, Google, and Facebook to learn about other's experience. Be wary of any dealerships with an overwhelming amount of negative complaints that span over a long period of time. Stick to dealerships where most people are satisfied with their purchase.
Check the Vehicle's History
When you purchase a used car, you are purchasing a car that has a story. Make sure you have the whole story before you go through with the purchase. One of the best ways to get the whole store about the car is by getting a history report for the vehicle.
A vehicle history report informs you about all the official maintenance the car has go through at a dealership. A vehicle history report will also allow you to see the ownership history and will let you see if any auto insurance claims were ever made for the vehicle.
This is the most effective way to find out if the vehicle has a part that keeps breaking down, or if it has been damaged and repaired before, or if the vehicle has had a lot of different owners.
Get the Vehicle Inspected
Finally, you need to get the vehicle inspected. This is essential when you are purchasing a used vehicle. Take it to any auto shop you trust, and as for an inspection. This may set you out about a hundred dollars, but it will also give you a clear idea of all the work the vehicle would need in order to run like it was brand new. Getting an inspection will also make you aware of any mechanical red flags that you may not be able to spot on your own. A vehicle inspection is the best way to really learn about a used car.
To avoid purchasing a lemon, you are going to want to work with a dealership with a good reputation. Check the vehicle's history report with a VIN report and always get your vehicle inspected by a mechanic so you have the full picture before purchasing a used car.
