How to Buy a Used Car and
Not Get Taken

The other stop should be at a non-franchise used-car dealer. His quote will help you establish the local market value. Frequently a used-car dealer will be able to spot frame damage or other problems that you might not have seen or have overlooked.

Recently, a friend of the author's was instructed to do the above and discovered that the wholesale price was actually $4,800 below the asking price because the car had been in an accident and suffered frame damage.

Once you know the wholesale value of a private seller's car, you can adjust your negotiation strategy accordingly. More on this later.

Two Major Mistakes to avoid

What are the two most common mistakes people make when buying a used car?

Mistake Number One
Most used-car buyers don't take the time or make the effort to thoroughly check out the car. Neglecting this step often results in costly repair bills or, worse, owning a car that is not worth fixing.
In the following pages we will give you a list of items to check during your personal inspection and test drive. We have also included a checklist for a mechanic. Having your potential used-car purchase inspected by a mechanic will probably cost you the equivalent of one hour of labor at a dealership or repair shop. It's worth it. A good, reliable mechanic can potentially save you from making a major purchase mistake. At, the same time, the mechanic can also confirm that ,you're looking at a very good deal.