subject: How to Avoid Purchasing a Faulty Vehicle [print this page] If youre on the market for a used car, its important that you be extra careful with your shopping. Nobody likes ending up with a lemon, so keep in mind the following precautions. Theyre easy steps that could save you a lot of money and time having to search for California Lemon Law information. 1. Narrow Your Search by Model
Start by narrowing down your used car search to makes and models that have a good performance histories, as this will make it less likely that youll end up with a faulty vehicle. You can start your search by looking in publications like Consumer Reports, which lets you know a specific cars reliability record. 2. Exterior Check
Walk around the car a few times and watch for any dents, chipped paint, mismatched body panels or panels with gaps between them, as all of these could be tell-tale signs of past accidents or major repairs. Ask about any damages that look suspect, even if they are small. Of course, youll also want to make sure the trunk and the doors all work well. 3. Interior Check
Test out all the interior features to make sure they work. This includes handles, locks, knobs, seatbelts (especially!), and all electronic components. Look to see if the pedals are worn or if the drivers seat look like its sagging, as this could be a sign of high mileage, even if the odometer says otherwise. 4. Test Drive
As you test drive the car, listen for abnormal clicking sounds that might occur when you turn the steering wheel and that could be a sign of axle damage. Let go of the wheel a few times when you get to a straight road to see if the car veers either way. Too much veering could indicate alignment problems or issues with the cars suspension. Also, remember to brake often. The brakes should be smooth and there should be no shakiness or sputtering. 5. Check the Car History
Get car history report from CarFax or Experian Automotive for the vehicle youre thinking of buying before you even consider making an offer. If you offer to pay for the report, the owner should have no problem with this. It costs about $15 and it can save you a lot of money in the long run.
