Here's one last vital step to getting a great used car deal: Make sure you run a vehicle history report on any used car you are considering buying. Several companies sell these reports, which are based on the VIN, but AutoCheck and Carfax seem to be the most comprehensive.
These reports can reveal vital information about the used car, including whether it has a salvage title, which means it has been declared a total loss by the insurance company, or if the odometer has been rolled back. This is also the time to decide if you want a certified pre-owned (CPO) car. If you do, see our article on certified pre-owned vehicle programs. It describes the ones offered by each manufacturer.
Used-car shopping will involve inspecting the vehicle to determine its condition. This process is simplified if you buy a CPO car that has passed a thorough inspection and is backed by a manufacturer's warranty. But while buying a CPO car removes a lot of the guesswork about the vehicle's mechanical condition, you pay for this service with a higher sticker price.
Most new cars are sold with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty. Therefore, if you buy a car that is from 1-3 years old, with fewer than 36,000 miles on the odometer, it will still be under the factory warranty.