Buying Used
Buying used means purchasing a car that someone else owned before—often at a lower price than new, but with more risks to watch for. Used cars are where dealers play the most games because every car is unique. Hidden damage, odometer fraud, and 'title washing' are real threats. This Battle Plan teaches you to validate everything before you ever talk price.
The Hidden Dangers
Title Washing: A car's "title" is the legal document proving ownership. Salvage titles mark cars that were severely damaged or totaled. "Title washing" is when damaged cars are moved across state lines to get "clean" titles—the damage doesn't disappear, just the record of it.
Odometer Fraud: The odometer shows how many miles a car has been driven. Mileage can be rolled back (illegally reduced) to make a car seem newer. If the mileage looks "too good," verify it with service records, an inspection, and a vehicle history report.
"Certified" Used Cars: "Certified" means someone inspected the car and declared it meets certain standards. But who did the certifying matters a lot. Manufacturer CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) means the carmaker (like Honda, Toyota, Ford) inspected it and usually adds an extended warranty (a promise to cover repairs for a certain time). Dealer Certified is just the dealer's own program—standards vary wildly, and the "warranty" may be minimal. Always read exactly what's covered and for how long.
Used Car Battle Plan
Don't skip steps. They count on you being lazy.
Phase 1: The War Room
Used cars hide secrets. Research protects you.
Know Your Credit Score
Your credit score (a number that shows lenders how reliable you are with money) affects what loan terms you'll get.
The Golden Check
Get a pre-approval (a 'yes' from a lender before you shop) from a bank or credit union.
Consider Your Timing
If you can be flexible about when you buy, the end of the month, quarter (March, June, September, December), or year can give you more negotiating power. Dealers have quotas and bonuses—hit them when they're most motivated to deal.
Print the 'Real' Price
Know what the car is actually selling for nearby.
Run VIN Before Visiting
Don't waste time on problem cars.