Buying A Used Car

Buying a used car makes a lot of sense now as we struggle to balance our family budgets. If you are in the market for a used vehicle it is important to remember the three C's.

Be CAUTIOUS. Be CAREFUL, and be sure to CHECK the vehicle out. While many used car dealers are reliable, there are some who may take you for a ride.

We suggest that you take the following steps when you go shopping for a vehicle.

Look for a dealer who is stable and has a history in the community.
Get referrals from family, friends or neighbors.
Check the dealer's references with the Better Business Bureau and the local consumer affairs office. There may be complaints, but if complaints are unresolved then you know this is not the dealer for you.
When you pick out a vehicle ask the dealer if he has a Carfax report that will give you the details about the vehicle's history. It should tell you how many people owned the car, how many miles it has, and if it has been in accidents, or has been salvaged as well as other important facts.
If the dealer doesn't have the report, go online to Carfax. Invest the $40.00 to buy the report.
When you read the report take the information to heart. Avoid vehicles that have been salvaged, in floods, or in fires. A salvaged vehicle may be cheaper than other vehicles, but it may cause you endless headaches.
Once you make a selection make sure your own mechanic checks out the vehicle. If you don't know a mechanic, check with the Automobile Association of America. A.A.A. offers a list of mechanics it trusts. Don't be shy about this. The dealer has dealer plates that he can put on the vehicle temporarily. If he wants to make the sale, he will drive the vehicle to you mechanic.
If the dealer makes promises get them in writing. If he offers a verbal warranty tell him that's not good enough you. You want it in writing.
Extra warranties are often sold by dealers. This is an extra source of income for them. It is not a good idea to buy extras of any kind from a dealer. Often these extra warranties fail to provide full coverage for all the things that could possibly go wrong.
Once you've followed picked out your vehicle and Cautiously, Carefully, Checked things out drive safely and enjoy it.
It is important to understand the laws in your state that cover used car purchases.

In New Jersey

A dealer must provide a 90 day written warranty for a vehicle that has 24,000 miles or less.

A dealer must provide a 60 day written warranty for a vehicle that has 24,000 to 60,000 miles.

A dealer must provide a 30 day written warranty for a vehicle that has between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.

Vehicles that are older than 7 years are not covered by the lemon law.

If they have more than 100,000 miles they are not covered by the lemon law.

Vehicles that are not purchased from a licensed dealer are also notcovered by the lemon law.

In New York

A dealer must provide a written warranty for a vehicle that sells for $1500 or more and has less than 100,000 miles.

Vehicles with more than 100,000 miles are not covered by the lemon law.

For more information please check the website of the consumer affairs offices, or your local Better Business Bureau.

www.njconsumeraffairs.gov

www.nyc.gov/consumers

www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/OCA

www.co.suffolk.ny.us/departments/CountyExec/consumeraffairs

www.westchestergov.com/consumer/

www.co.rockland.ny.us/cpl

www.newyork.bbb.org/

www.trenton.bbb.org/