HOW TO BUY A USED CAR Before you consider buying any used car, be sure to read the Blue Book NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association) Official Used Car Guide, This book, which is available free of charge at most banks automobile insurance offices, and libraries, describes the price range for any year, make, model, and type of car. You should expect to pay a sum of money that is close to the price listed in the Blue Book. The three types of used cars (previously owned) that are available for purchase are listed below:

New Car Dealer – Some New Car Dealers also sell used cars. These cars can be slightly used “demos” or trade-ins. Dealers usually keep the best cars for trade-ins and sell cars that are older and/or needing repairs to auctions, wholesale buyers, and used car dealers. The new car dealers usually sell their used cars with a limited warranty and have the facilities to service the cars they sell. They also generally sell these cars for more than the Blue Book price.

Used Car Dealer – Get their cars from the New Car Dealers. These cars are older models that the New Car Dealer got as a trade-in and would not be able to sell. This type of dealer usually does not sell cars with any type of warranty and does not offer any type of repair services.

Private Cars – You can also buy a car from someone you know. This might be safer than buying a car from a stranger, because your friends would probably tell you if the car had any problems and would need repairs.