Auto Fraud: Be an Educated Buyer

If you have decided to buy a car from a dealership then you should know that there is a possibility of ending up with a lemon car. Being cautious and taking time for thorough research is the only way to avoid becoming a car fraud victim. Here are a few steps that may be helpful when buying a used car.

1.    Check the model’s reliability records

Checking the model’s reliability records is a great way to avoid auto fraud. This step is not only helpful, but also is fairly easy to take. You may check online or in various consumer reports publications offering annual vehicle profiles.

2.    Check the vehicle’s history

The common cost of a vehicle history report is about $15.  Never save money on this as a vehicle history report may alert you to a number of potential problems as you will learn the about the car’s previous major damages and its actual odometer reading.

3.    Conduct a check of the car interior

When checking the car’s interior, pay attention to the possible missing handles, knobs or buttons, worn pedals and sagging driver’s seats. Also check to see the seatbelts work well or there is no damage to the dashboard. Generally these are signs of high mileage, regardless of the odometer reading.

4.    Conduct a check of the car exterior

When checking the car’s exterior look for chipped paint, dents, mismatched or replaced car parts. Minor exterior damages or gaps between body panels may be signs of a previous accident. Check to see all doors and the trunk open and close accurately. Note that inconsistent welding marks can be signs cheap repair jobs.

5.    Take a test drive

There are some common rules for taking a test drive.

•    Make frequent stops to ensure that the brakes work properly.
•    Listen for scraping noises that might indicate damaged rotors.
•    The brake pedal should feel firm and there should be no shaking or sputtering.
•    When turning the wheel, make certain that there are no abnormal clicking sounds, as these can indicate defective axles.
•    Release the wheel while driving straight to see that it does not veer left or right, as this might indicate alignment or suspension problems.