Whether you are buying a new or used car, be sure and do your research on auto reliability, gas mileage, resale value, and fair market price. You may also want to check insurance rates.
If you are buying a used vehicle you may also want to take it to a mechanic to check out. The one thing you do not want to forget to do is to run the VIN number (Vehicle Identification Number) through a database to find out more about the history of the car.
Good bodywork can disguise a lot of problems if it has been in an accident. It may even have been totaled and rebuilt. We have a lot of shops that do that in our area. You want to avoid them like the plague
Be sure and do your research online before buying any car. Always check out the VIN number to see the history of the vehicle
You would think that if you pay the money for a brand new car you would be safe. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Many new cars are built with serious defects. That is where the “lemon laws” comes into effect.
Basically, under the lemon laws, you are covered for a year if your car turns out to have mechanical problems. The dealer who sold you the car either has to return your money, or exchange your car. However, the dealer will be allowed to subtract money for the depreciation of your car.
In order for your car to qualify for coverage under the lemon laws, you must have experienced one of the following:
- Four attempts to fix a problem without success, using both the dealer and manufacturer.
- The inability to drive your car for 30 days or more because of any mechanical problems.
You should not have to go to court to get your money back under these laws. There are some federally approved arbitration programs that your dealer may be affiliated with. If that is the case, you will have to first submit your claim to them.
If you were unhappy with the outcome, then you would have to go to court.
If this happens to you, be sure and check with your state’s Attorney General’s office for full details on how these laws apply in your state. Keep accurate records. Minimize your risk, and protect your pocketbook.
About the Author: Nikki Willhite, mother of 3 and an interior design graduate, has been writing and publishing articles on the topic of frugal living for over a decade. Visit her at www.frugalhappyfamilies.com – where you will find hundreds of frugal living tips and articles. Frugal Happy Families- more than just money! Article first published at www.allthingsfrugal.com
