| One of the most important factors to be | | | | valuable resources with repair and |
| considered when decided to go for a used car | | | | reliability trends for every used car. |
| is its reliability. Reliability is a crucial | | | | |
| issue and after all choice will be better of | | | | Odometer Clocking: "Clocking" is turning the |
| the do not require more repairs. All cars are | | | | odometer in reverse and is probably the most |
| not the same. Some models of cars are proven | | | | common dealer trick applied for used cars. |
| to be very reliable while others are known | | | | The clocking is usually done by middlemen |
| for constant problems. The original warranty | | | | when they procure the vehicles in an auction |
| coverage would be probably over as it is a | | | | or from a private party before it is sold |
| used car and hence the model has to be more | | | | again. |
| reliable. For used cars, vehicle reliability | | | | |
| has to be researched. The car sheen will be | | | | Adding additives for disguising engine |
| dull if the car has ongoing reliability | | | | problems: This is much more common practice |
| problems. There are a number of resources for | | | | especially with small used car lots and |
| checking the reliability ratings of certain | | | | high-mileage cars. Instead of fixing the |
| models. | | | | engine problems, some of the used car dealers |
| | | | disguise it with a few bottles of oil |
| Reliability studies indicate that expensive | | | | additives for temporarily addressing the |
| maintenance costs will be encountered after | | | | issues like plug leaks, to reduce oil burning |
| six years or for 10,000 miles for the average | | | | smoke and to lessen the noise in the engine |
| car, which means that significant repair | | | | parts. On the other side by trying to cover |
| bills will be running up along with the | | | | up the problems, other troubles like |
| payments on the car for most sub prime | | | | overheating, oil pump failure, excessive |
| buyers. | | | | sludge and engine deposits may crop up by |
| | | | using larger than recommended quantities of |
| The annual J.D. Power and Associates report | | | | these additives. They just quiet the noises |
| is obviously the best source of information | | | | temporarily. It is sometimes difficult to |
| on reliability, which is now available in the | | | | detect these additives |
| United Kingdom in association with "What | | | | |
| Car?" Magazine, though it was originated in | | | | Covering up flood titles and salvage: Sale |
| the United States for both new and used cars. | | | | of salvage titled cars by dealers has risen |
| The J.D Power survey reflects the reliability | | | | in the past decade. The vehicle repair costs |
| features of makes and models of various cars. | | | | have risen and hence insurance companies |
| It is worth to pay attention to CSI (Car | | | | mostly declare a car totaled, subsequently |
| Customer Satisfaction Index) report published | | | | the car may be assembled with cut-rate parts |
| by them. Increased Sales volume will be | | | | by an opportunist who may in turn sell the |
| experienced for brands with higher | | | | car in an auction.Laws regarding salvage and |
| dependability ratings and less likely to be | | | | flood titles vary from state to state, |
| avoided by consumers due to reliability | | | | compounding the problem. By having a vehicle |
| concerns. That means better trade-in value | | | | history check run on the used cars (with |
| will be obtained for the car. | | | | agencies like CARFAX), the issues of flood |
| | | | titled and salvaged cars can be known. |
| Common problems with used cars: | | | | |
| | | | Extended warranties: Extended warranties are |
| History of any accidents with used car should | | | | sold by most used car dealerships at higher |
| be explored, but should not be just focusing | | | | rates and they are nearly useless as their |
| on that as the mechanic may miss out commonly | | | | limitation in coverage is extreme. The fine |
| overlooked problems like missing airbags, | | | | print has to be studied carefully to check |
| flooded cars, Stolen cars, Gross polluter, | | | | that the warranty is not limited to cover |
| cars from salvage yard auction sales and auto | | | | just a few major components. These extended |
| mismatched VINs. Most Car dealers run a | | | | limited warranties will only cover a portion |
| vehicle history report. Buying a used car can | | | | of the repair costs. |
| also be risky with the exception of | | | | |
| purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle | | | | Rustproofing: Rustproofing was once a quick |
| available with a warranty. | | | | and easy method for dealers to make some |
| | | | quick money. Applying Rust proofing to a used |
| Though there cannot be any guarantees about | | | | car has to be done only by qualified body |
| reliability, some tips can be offered on how | | | | shop. |
| to spot an unreliable car and various | | | | |