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