Don’t purchase a pre-owned car without first having it looked at by an independent mechanic.  It is hard to know the true state of a pre-owned car until you have a professional examine it.  You don’t want to find out after you buy a car that you bought a lemon.

If you leave a photo I.D. with a dealer they shouldn’t have a problem with you having a private inspection performed.  Even if the dealer tells you that they have already had an inspection done, insist that you want to have an inspection by an independent shop.

A good mechanic should inspect the undercarriage of a car by putting it on a lift.  It will cost you approximately $100 to get a thorough diagnostic, but find out in advance.  You can ask the mechanic to give you a written report, which will give you details of the car’s condition.  The report could come in handy when it comes time for you to negotiate with the dealer.

If you aren’t sure how to find a good repair shop, ask around for a referral from someone trustworthy.  You can also ask for advice from your local auto-parts store.  But, whatever you do, don’t pick a mechanic’s name out of the phone book.

Buying a used vehicle can be a great option, but you need to protect yourself by getting a private inspection and purchasing an auto warranty.