Used cars
Inspections, history reports, CPO, and mileage.
Used cars · 6 min
Buying a Used Car From a Private Seller vs. a Dealer
Compare price, protections and paperwork when buying from a private seller or a dealer, with safe-transaction steps and the title transfer basics to check.
ReadUsed cars · 5 min
How Many Miles Is Too Many on a Used Car?
There is no magic mileage number. Learn how to weigh mileage against age, maintenance history and upcoming repairs so you can judge any used car.
ReadUsed cars · 5 min
How to Check for Recalls Before You Buy a Car
Use NHTSA's free VIN lookup to find open safety recalls, learn what the search misses and how the law treats new vs. used cars, and get them fixed free.
ReadUsed cars · 6 min
How to Spot Flood and Accident Damage on a Used Car
Practical signs of flood and collision damage you can check yourself: smell, silt, corrosion, paint and panel gaps, plus what to do if something looks wrong.
ReadUsed cars · 5 min
Is Certified Pre-Owned Worth It? CPO vs. Dealer Certified
The difference between a manufacturer certified pre-owned program and a dealer's own certification, what to verify in writing, and when the premium pays off.
ReadUsed cars · 5 min
Pre-Purchase Inspection: How to Get a Used Car Checked Before You Buy
What an independent pre-purchase inspection covers, how to arrange one with a dealer or private seller, and how to use the report to buy, negotiate or walk.
ReadUsed cars · 5 min
Title Brands Explained: Clean, Salvage, Rebuilt, Flood and Lemon Buyback
What each title brand means, how title washing hides them, why definitions vary by state, and how a branded title affects insurance, financing and resale.
ReadUsed cars · 6 min
Used Car Inspection Checklist: What to Check on the Lot
A walk-around, interior, under-hood and test-drive checklist a non-mechanic can follow in about 45 minutes before paying for a professional inspection.
ReadUsed cars · 5 min
Vehicle History Reports Explained: What They Show and What They Miss
How vehicle history reports and the federal NMVTIS title database work, how to read one line by line, and the blind spots that still call for an inspection.
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