How to Make Sure You're Not Buying a Lemon of a Used Car

As kids we may have watched our parents browse for a new family car, and laughed when they kicked the tires as a way of determining quality craftsmanship. Now, as we look forward to buying a new or pre-owned vehicle, we likely carry the same concerns. An automobile is a big purchase, one that shouldn't be made on the fly, and you definitely don't want to drive one home to discover it needs more repair than you're willing or able to pay for! Given the price of gas and other essentials these days, it's important to make sure you're not driving a lemon off the lot.

There are several ways to avoid this embarrassment, of course. Your first stop in your car search should happen where you are most comfortable browsing. This could be a car dealership where you have previously purchased an auto with no problems, or a place highly recommended by friends and family. If you are looking for a specific make or model not sold by dealers you know, do your research. Check Internet sites for consumer opinion of the car - there may be a history of poor performance you don't know about - and find a reputable dealership if that is still what you want.

Once you have narrowed the field down to a few choices, you want to learn everything you can about the car, especially if you are buying a pre-owned model. Did the car have previous owners? What can you learn about them, and how they treated the car? If the car is new, find out if it's a demo model, and where is was manufactured if possible. Watchdog reports sites may be able to tell you to look out for cars from certain plants, particularly if there is a high percentage of faulty cars coming from them.

If you are not familiar with engines and the basic mechanics of a car, bring along somebody you trust who will be able to tell you if a car is running correctly during a test drive. Depending on the dealership, a salesman may be required to come with you on the ride, but you can still ascertain how well the car works. Securing a reasonable warranty on the car you buy is a good way to protect yourself in the event something goes wrong with the car soon after you buy it.

Take precautions during car shopping so you won't end up with a lemon.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Norfolk used cars and Norfolk used trucks.