 TITLE: How to Buy a Used Car CONTENT: Get a Vehicle History Report\n----------------------------\nYou've got your budget, you're preapproved for your car loan, and you think you've found your dream used car. Not so fast. Before you actually check out the car, get a vehicle history report to uncover any potentially costly or dangerous problems with the vehicle. You'll need the car's vehicle identification number (VIN), which you can get from the seller.\nHere's what to look for in a vehicle history report:\n*   **Accident history**: This lists any major reported accidents involving the car. If the airbag has deployed or the car suffered structural damage, it's probably best to steer clear of the vehicle.\n*   **Title status**: Avoid cars with titles such as \"junk,\" \"fire damage,\" \"flood damage,\" \"rebuilt\" or \"lemon law buyback,\" all of which are self-explanatory. A \"salvage title\" indicates that an insurer deemed the car a total loss, but someone fixed it up and put it back on the road. Also avoid \"police use\" or \"taxi use\" titles, which indicate heavy usage. Look for a car with a clean title.\n*   **Inspection and registration history**: These indicate whether the car has been registered with state DMVs and gone through state-required inspections, such as smog checks. If a car has gone unregistered for long time periods, this may be a sign that it was stolen or totaled at some point.\n*   **Odometer reading**: Sometimes unscrupulous sellers turn back a car's odometer to make it look newer; the vehicle history report shows the true odometer reading.\n*   **Ownership and sales information**: How many times has the vehicle changed hands? One-owner vehicles tend to be better maintained than vehicles that have had several different owners. Be wary of cars that have had multiple owners in different states—this often indicates the car was totaled or flood-damaged and moved to a new state to wipe its title clean.\n*   **Recalls**: This indicates any recalls of the vehicle and whether the required repairs were made. An open recall isn't a deal-breaker; just make sure to get it taken care of.\n*   **Liens**: Outstanding liens on the vehicle will be listed. Look for a vehicle clear of liens.\n*   **Maintenance**: Sometimes vehicle history reports include maintenance; you can also ask if the seller has a maintenance record to show you.\nOnce the vehicle you're considering has passed the vehicle history test, look it over thoroughly and take it for a test drive. Then take it to an independent mechanic for a thorough inspection before making an offer. END