How can I avoid buying a troublesome used car?
1. Do your homework. Research vehicle reliability reports online. Sources such as Consumer Reports and Edmunds will help you identify troublesome vehicles. Find out what others say are the best and worst vehicles. Before you shop, on the lot or online, decide what type of vehicle you want and what models you will look at. 2. Check NHTSA records. Check the federal government’s databases (http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov) for any recalls, service bulletins, safety investigations and owner complaints on the vehicle you are interested in. Service bulletins are notices that the manufacturer sends to dealers to warn them about problems that have been discovered and how to try and fix them. Ask your local dealer’s service department for a vehicle repair history to find out if problems have been identified and repaired on the vehicle you’re considering. 3. Read the Buyer Guide on the window. Federal law requires every dealer to post on the window of every vehicle this one-page form clearly disclos
