On Your Own; Your Legal Right @ Eighteen On Your Own formatted final version | Page 43

Don’t Get Abused When You Buy Used!
Used cars can offer great deals, but it’s hard to really know what you’re
getting—how the car was driven, maintained or where it was kept. But
with a little checking—and using your rights under Vermont law - you
can eliminate a lot of the unknowns about a used car you’re thinking of
buying.
There are three basic rights you have when you buy a used car from a
used car dealer: The right to know about the car’s past, the right to a safe
car, and the right to know how far the car has traveled.
The Car’s Past – Get a vehicle history report. A lot of people know that as
“CarFax,” but there are other companies that produce the same report,
for less. No matter how you do it, it’s often worth the money. You should
try to determine whether there were any problems with the car. Was it
ever in an accident? If so, what was the extent of the damage? Were there
any problems with the car? Was the damage fully repaired? What was the
mileage on the car (the odometer reading) when the dealer bought it?
Some cars come with manufacturer’s warranties that may be transferred
by the car’s previous owner. Check with the dealer or vehicle history
report to see if there is a warranty that can be transferred to you when
you buy the car. The dealer is not required to give you any warranty apart
from the manufacturer’s, and he or she may ask you to sign a paper
excluding any “implied” warranties that you might otherwise have under
state law. However, if the car and the price are otherwise acceptable,
negotiate the best deal you can: try to get at least a 30-90 day warranty
on all of the major systems of the car, and get it in writing.
The Car’s Safety – The safety of any car depends on how much use it has
gotten and how well it has been maintained. Ask the dealer and the
previous owner (if you can identify them) to see all available maintenance
and repair records. Older cars with high mileage are likely to have more
safety problems than newer cars with low mileage. Safety problems can
be caused by rusted-out frame and body parts or worn-out mechanical
parts. Always ask to take the car for a ride and have it examined by your
mechanic. It is better to rely on an independent evaluation than on the
advice of a person who has a financial interest in selling you the car.
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