Looking for a used car? Start by doing some homework. What you learn now may save you serious money later.
Buying a Used Car A Consumer Guide from the Federal Trade CommissionBuying a Used Car 1-877-FTC-HELP FOR THE CONSUMER FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ftc.govB efore you start shopping for a car, you’ll need to do some homework. Spending time now may save you serious money later. Think about your driving habits, your needs, and your budget. You can learn about car models, options, and prices by reading newspaper ads, both display and classified. There is a wealth of information about used cars on the Internet: enter “used car” as the key words and you’ll find additional information on how to buy a used car, detailed instructions for conducting a prepurchase inspection, and ads for cars available for sale, among other information. Libraries and book stores also have publications that compare car models, options, and costs, and offer information about frequency-of-repair records, safety tests, and mileage. Many of these publications have details on the do’s and don’ts of buyin...