How to Check for a Lemon Car

Buying a used car is a fiscally responsible decision. If you accidentally purchase a "lemon," however, it could start to turn into a nightmare. A lemon is a car that has a lot of mechanical problems. Through proper planning, you can check for a lemon car before you make a purchase. Take all the right steps to ensure you buy a car that is a good value.

Instructions

1

Use the vehicle identification number to check the car's history. Each car has a unique VIN. Whenever a mechanic performs maintenance on a vehicle or whenever the vehicle changes hand, it's recorded in the vehicle's history.The vehicle history also shows if the car has been in an accident or if it's been listed as salvaged, a clear sign that it's a lemon. You can check the history of the car through its VIN. A free search at AutoCheck, a division of credit score company Experian, will show the number of records that a car has, but you'll have to pay to see the full report. CarFax provides a similar service. Your local DMV may provide a similar history, but may not provide an accurate history if the car has been owned in multiple states.

2

Hire an independent mechanic to examine the car. Before you make a purchase--whether from an individual or a used car seller--take the car to a mechanic you trust.

3

Decide what you want ahead of time. If you go into a used car dealership without an idea of what you want, a dishonest car dealer could lead you to a car that he knows is a lemon and try to convince you to buy it. The Internet makes it easy to research cars online. In a used car, you can check for common mechanical problems to specific makes and models of cars. You can also show up at the dealership with a specific car in mind if you've looked over their inventory online.

4

Look for a warranty. Not all used car dealers offer a warranty, but if a dealer does, then you can feel safe in making your purchase.

5

Test drive the car for an extended period of time. When you test drive the car, you want to go for more than just a drive around the block. You need to see how the car performs at both low and high speeds. If you only drive it briefly, you may miss major problems, such as transmission problems at high speeds.