Lemon Law Facts Information
Every year hundreds of Americans file complaints with their local Attorney Generals’ offices under their respective Lemon Laws. That is to say, several individuals each year purchase used automobiles only to find out that instead of making a smart buy they got stuck with a lemon. A used car can look perfect on the outside, but who’s to say what’s really going on with the engine or other crucial parts? The automobile may have been involved in an accident or flood or it could have sustained mechanical damage in some other form.
Smart consumers can avoid getting stuck with a problematic vehicle by following some simple guidelines and doing their homework. With a little time and effort, you can save money and heartache down the road.
Choose Your Car
When shopping for a used automobile, it is better to start off by knowing what you need and want. Take inventory of your needs and think about how your new used vehicle will fit in with your lifestyle. After you have narrowed down your options to a few different types of cars, narrow it down further according to prices and what you can afford to pay. Once you have narrowed down the list of cars you are willing to buy to only two or three different options, it is time to start the real research.
Research Your Make and Model
Start by looking for consumer reports and going to consumer ratings Web sites to see what people who drive the car you are researching say about it. Is it generally positive feedback or negative feedback? Are you finding recurring themes or problems based on what people are saying about each type of car? How does the car perform in certain situations? How well does the car hold up in accidents? Does it seem like consumers are generally satisfied with their autos or dissatisfied? Are the problems people write about things that you are generally willing to deal with or not willing to deal with?
Check Out Your Car
Once you have done your homework on consumer satisfaction with makes and models and really decided specifically which type of car you want to buy, it’s time to find your car. Visit used car dealerships, brows newspaper or online classifieds and check out online used auto retailers for great deals. When you find something you like within your price range, make an appointment to test drive and check out your car. Check the vehicle’s title history by running a title report on Carfax. The report should only cost about $15, but you will know if the car has ever been in a reported accident or sustained damage in some other disaster.
