• Verify documentation- If you are searching for a used car and find a deal that appears too good to be true, it probably is. The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning to potential car buyers about VIN cloning. This occurs when a car is stolen and in an attempt to avoid arrest and make money off of the stolen vehicle, the thief clones the VIN (vehicle identification number) to match that of car that hasn’t been stolen. To avoid falling victim to this scam, check the VIN number on the dash as well as inside the door panel and under the hood to ensure it matches the title. Read all documents carefully and be on the lookout for discrepancies or misspelling that may indicate the document is not original. Vehicles that are sold for quick cash at a price that is significantly lower than normal should be considered suspicious.
• Buy a car history report- To save money you sometimes have to spend money. Buying a car history report may cost you a few bucks upfront, however the information contained on the report could very well save you thousands of dollars in the long run. A car history report will clear up any questions you may have about the car you are considering. The report will confirm the VIN number, record accidents the car may have been involved in and provide information regarding possible liens against the vehicle. Having this information before taking ownership of the car will help you avoid buying a used car that is better left on the lot.
• Question the seller- You have the right to ask the seller certain questions about the car’s history, maintenance and performance to get a better idea of the value of the vehicle. Pay close attention to the answers and the manner in which the seller interacts with you as a potential buyer. Buying a car from a private sell could very well result in well maintained quality vehicle at a reasonable price. If however you get a feeling that the seller is not simply selling a vehicle he or she used themselves, you may question how they obtained the car and their motive for selling.

Carefully research the history of a used car and avoid rushing into a sale for the sake of getting a good “deal”. There are thousands of used cars available and finding the right one will save you time, money and aggravation down the road.

Tips To Avoid Getting Taken For A Ride When Buying A Used Car was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

There are some critical points to remember when shopping for a used vehicle. Keep these tips in mind before you go.

Don’t Rush
In our society of “need it now” mentality, it really does pay to wait when looking to buy used. It takes time to do your research and make the right financial decision for you. Sure the cars you see may look good but you’ll need to do some homework before you get serious about any purchase.

Do Your Homework
When looking to buy used, you want to ensure you don’t get a lemon. You can use many online resources to find out about the maintenance history of the car. Try Edmunds.com or Carfax.com to get this information. Look for cars that have the most consistent maintenance records to avoid costly repairs in the near future. Note that cars that are the from the first year of production have been shown to have the most problems. You’ll also want to check out the gas mileage on the vehicle you want to buy. No point in saving money on the car when you’ll get in over your head paying for fuel.

Narrow Down Your Choices
Once you have found out what kind of vehicles match your criteria, start looking for which vehicle most interests you. Check the classified ads of your local paper or car sites like autotrader.com. Seek out the ads that mention the cars are in excellent shape, mint condition, or like new.

Consider Your Calls
Before you start contacting the sellers, sit and think about what you want to know. A written list can help you stay focused on the conversation and ensure you find out all you need to know before proceeding. Keep notes about each vehicle so you’ll have something to refer to when deciding which cars to view personally. Some questions you’ll want to ask:

• How many owners has the car had? If one owner, do they have all of the maintenance records on hand?
• Has the car even been in an accident?
• What is the car’s mileage?
• Why is the car for sale?

Pay attention to how the seller responds to your questions. If your gut tells you they aren’t being totally upfront, make a note. If any of the questions you ask does not result in the answers you are looking for, eliminate that car from your list and move on to the next one. Be sure to thank all the people you contact for their time. As you continue to make phone calls, you will narrow down your list to a few vehicles that you can eventually go to look at in person. From there, you can negotiate with the seller and come to a reasonable agreement about the sale. Be smart, be patience and do your research and you’ll likely get a great car that will last and not lemon out.

How To Buy A Good Used Car was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Ahh…sweet sixteen! An exciting time for kids – not so much for parents. Of course every kid dreams of opening up their gift to find the keys to a brand new ride. While many parents wish they could honor that dream, few have the resources to do just that. Planning for the time your children will start driving can help ease the financial burden.

Here are some ways to help combat the teen car buying saga that may one day infect your household on a daily basis.

Buy Used

Some may argue that buying a car for a teenager refuses them the opportunity to learn about money, savings, and working towards goals. However, for many parents, there is a sentimental value in buying their child’s first car. Buy a quality used car and kids can learn to work towards saving for a better model or the car of their dreams for the parents who are in a position to buy them a car.

If you have had a savings plan in place for just this occasion, put your money where your research is. Check out Consumer Reports for the ratings on vehicles in your price range. Look and compare used vehicles online to be well-informed before stepping foot on the lot. Have the car you choose checked out by a trusted mechanic before making a commitment.

Create a Contract

This is an excellent opportunity for parents to teach their kids about money and responsibilities in the adult world. Developing and implementing a plan to have your child share all of the expenses of getting a car is a good way to save money and teach a lesson or two. Calculate on paper the cost of operating the car, maintenance, gas, insurance, and repairs to share with your child. Then divide the costs in half. A teenager is capable of working several hours a week and should be expected to live up to the contract in order to keep the car. This will help train your child to manage their finances at a young age and give them a better understanding of the need for budgeting.

Match Their Money

If purchasing the car is a financial strain, opt to match the contribution of your child. Make an agreement and set a timeline to give you both a chance to save the most money. Match your child’s money dollar for dollar. Teens who have jobs can also be encourage to find their entrepreneurial spirit in order to maximize their contribution, thus getting a large selection of vehicles to choose from.

Car Buying For Your Teen was created by and is property of American Consumer News.