Red Flags for Buying Used Cars

Buying used cars for sale is definitely a little trickier than buying a new car. It’s important to watch for certain red flags when you’re looking at a used car. This is especially true if you’re buying from a private seller or a used car lot that isn’t very reputable.

Price Problems

One of the areas where you might notice red flags is the price. An extremely low, too-good-to-be-true price tag might be a red flag. If it’s a private seller, it’s possible they don’t know the value of their vehicle, but any vehicle priced way below market value should be looked at with caution.

If you’re dealing with a used car lot, you might see vague price adjustments on the window sticker. These charges might be labeled as dealer markups or market value adjustments. In some cases, these could be legitimate markups for extra features, but many times they’re simply attempts to get more money.

Similarly, some disreputable lots might slip extra charges into the finance paperwork. Always make sure to read the fine print.

Interior/Exterior Red Flags

Another place where you might find some red flags is the interior. Excessive wear and tear can be a sign that the vehicle wasn’t taken care of. However, there’s one red flag you might not realize at first. Does the vehicle have brand-new carpet throughout? This might seem like a perk, but it could be a sign that the vehicle was flooded and the carpet was replaced to get rid of the evidence.

For the exterior, check out if there are any areas of mismatched paint. If you notice body panels or other areas with noticeably different paint from the rest of the vehicle, it’s probably good to walk away. Mismatched paint is often a sign of repairs due to rust or damage from an accident. This might be especially relevant if the seller assures you that the vehicle has never been in an accident.

No Title or Vehicle History Report

If the seller doesn’t have a title for the vehicle on hand, you should definitely consider looking elsewhere. Even if the seller has a seemingly good excuse, it’s a big hassle to get a new title for a vehicle, and you likely won’t be able to register the vehicle without a title in hand. Not to mention, the title can show whether the vehicle has a brand indicating flood damage or if it’s been totaled by an insurance company.

Similarly, a seller who has nothing to hide should be eager to show you a vehicle history report. If they won’t post the VIN or there’s something wrong with the VIN, that could indicate that the car is stolen or there’s some other reason the seller is trying to hide the VIN.

It’s important to remember that vehicle history reports are only as good as the information given to them. If the vehicle was in an accident and it was never reported, then this won’t be on the report.

How To Avoid These Red Flags?

To avoid red flags like the ones mentioned above, work with a reputable dealer that offers cars for sale that have been fully inspected for cosmetic, mechanical, and safety issues. Many times, dealers that have used cars for sale have serviced the vehicle and will have service records available.

Oftentimes, they will even offer a limited warranty to cover the used car so you can drive home with peace of mind.