Before you buy a used vehicle from an individual, Dealer, or a certified pre-owned. Be sure you know and understand each of the "top 10" myths and mistakes other buyers have made. Any one of the following items can cause a financial nightmare when purchasing a used vehicle.
#1 There is NO standard for inspections and NO standard for Technicians performing inspections
#2 Verbal statements are NOT enforceable.
#3 Vehicle history reports can cause MORE HARM than good
#4 All Certified Pre-Owned WARRANTEES are NOT the same
#5 The TRUE value of a vehicle depends on the CURRENT CONDITION of the vehicle
#6 Existing FRAME & FLOOD damage is easy to conceal
#7 ODOMETER FRAUD is easy to do and hard to detect
#8 The "AS-IS" document helps the Dealer NOT the seller
#9 There is NO automatic used car warranty
#10 There is NO automatic 3-day take back period
#1 There is NO Standardization
for Purchase Inspections
The #1 reason buyers purchase used
vehicles with existing problems is the failure to determine the TRUE condition of
every component and system.
Any Automotive Technician or shop can say they perform pre-purchase inspections (PPI). However, there are no PPI standards, and most Automotive Technicians are not qualified to perform a complete PPI. Learn more about getting a PPI here.
#2 Verbal statements about the used vehicle
are NOT enforceable.
Many sellers/salespersons have talked consumers from getting a pre-purchase inspection and buying a bad car.
Here are a few examples:
1) It has a clean Carfax, and it’s never been in an accident.
2) Don’t waste your money. We had our mechanics do a XXX-point inspection, and everything is fine.
3) You don’t need an inspection; the vehicle has a warranty.
4) Hey, the car is in great shape, save yourself the $150 and take your spouse out to a nice dinner.
Not all salespeople/sellers are bad. But the less the buyer knows about the vehicle, the more money they can make.
Any verbal representation of the vehicle’s condition by the seller/salesperson is not enforceable in court. It is the buyers’ responsibility to determine the actual condition of the vehicle before purchase. You cannot negotiate your best deal until you know the current condition of every component and system.
#3 Vehicle History Reports
Carfax & AutoCheck
admit that most vehicle accidents will never show up on their reports. A vehicle history report cannot tell the buyer of any existing
or potential mechanical or electrical problems. It cannot determine the quality of any previous repairs, including any accident repairs. Only a professional pre-purchase inspection can discover needed repairs, abuse, and previous accident damages. A clean “History Report” does not mean it is a good used car.
#4 Certified Vehicles
There is no quality standard or inspection standard
for "Certified" or “Certified Pre-Owned" (CPO) vehicles. Be aware that
certifications standards, inspection standards, and warranties can vary
sinificantly from dealer to dealer. As with any
warranty, used car buyers must know what systems are covered and not covered and for what length of time.
A professional pre-purchase inspection is still required to determine existing problems that are not covered under
the limited warranty.
#5 Used Car Values
There are many websites and publications that give
used car values. These pricing guides and websites calculate used car prices based
upon current sales in your region, plus additions for optional equipment and deductions for excessive miles. These
websites and publications cannot determine deductions for any existing mechanical problems or previous accident damages.
The true value of a used vehicle is the book value minus any needed repairs, abuse, or previous accident damage.
Only a professional pre-purchase inspection can document needed repairs, abuse, and previous accident damages.
#6 Frame Damaged and Flooded Vehicles
It is estimated that 1 in 14
vehicles on the road today are rebuilt from salvage and that 40% of all frame repairs
are substandard. Many frame damage and flooded vehicles have clean titles and were never reported to the DMV,
Carfax, or AutoCheck. Only a physical professional inspection can determine if the vehicle has
a previous accident
or flood damage.
#7 Odometer Fraud
It is estimated that 1 in 4 used vehicles have
odometer discrepancies. Vehicles with altered miles or excessive
wear and tear will be worth much less than book value. Only a professional pre-purchase inspection can
determine if the wear and tear on the vehicle is consistent with the odometer reading.
#8 The "AS-IS" Document
When purchasing a vehicle from a used car
dealer, all buyers must sign the “AS-IS” document.
The “AS IS” document has two checkboxes, “Warranty” and “AS-IS No Warranty.” If the “AS IS” box is checked,
used car buyers are responsible for all problems after the purchase. If the “Warranty” box is checked, the
dealer will offer some sort of warranty for a specific time. Only the items written on the “AS-IS” document
are under warranty. As with any warranty, buyers must understand what components or systems are not
covered. It is the buyers’ responsibility to determine the actual condition of the vehicle before purchase.
It is the buyers’ responsibly to determine the true condition of the vehicle before purchase.
#9 Automatic Warranty
There is no
automatic warranty when purchasing a vehicle from a used car dealer.
Dealers may offer some limited warranty. Be sure you understand
which components or systems are covered, and not covered and for
what length of time. Most warranties are very limited and do not cover
many of the mechanical and electrical systems. It is the buyers’
responsibility to determine the actual condition of the vehicle before purchase.
#10 Take Back Period and the Lemon Law
There is no Lemon Law for used vehicles in Texas or an automatic 3-day take-back period in Texas.
Once you sign the sales documents, any existing problems with the vehicle are now your problems. It is
the buyers’ responsibility to determine the actual condition of the vehicle before purchase.
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Regardless of what make or model of used vehicle you buy, or if you buy it from a dealer, individual, or if it’s a certified pre-owned, the #1 reason buyers purchased used vehicles with existing problems is the buyers’ failure to determine the TRUE condition of the vehicle.
A professional pre-purchase inspection is the most important part of the used car buying process. Make sure your PPI is performed by an ASE Master Technician and Frame Specialist.