What to Check Before Buying a Used Car
The dealer wants you to fall in love with the car before you look at the facts. Do your research first.
1. Check NHTSA Recalls (Free)
Every vehicle in our database is checked against the NHTSA recall database. Open recalls mean the manufacturer will fix a safety defect for free. If a car has open recalls, the dealer should fix them before selling.
We show recall status on every vehicle page automatically.
2. Read Owner Complaints
NHTSA collects owner complaints by make, model, and year. This tells you what REAL owners have experienced — not what the dealer tells you.
Example: The 2004 BMW Z4 has 411 owner complaints, with steering failure as the top issue. You'd want to know that before a test drive. We show this data on every vehicle detail page.
3. Check the Price Against Market
Is the dealer's price fair? We compare every listing against similar vehicles in the market:
- Below average — good deal, but ask why (hidden damage? high miles?)
- At average — fair price, small room to negotiate
- Above average — push back. Show the dealer comparable vehicles at lower prices.
4. Look at How Long It's Been on the Lot
Our vehicle history tool tracks every vehicle — when it first appeared, price changes, and whether it moved between dealers. A car that's been sitting for 60+ days means the dealer is motivated to sell.
5. Watch for Hidden Dealer Fees
Common fees buried in the fine print:
| Fee | Typical Range | Negotiable? |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Delivery Service Charge | $500 — $1,000 | Yes |
| Documentation Fee | $250 — $600 | Sometimes |
| Electronic Filing Fee | $150 — $300 | Rarely |
| Dealer Prep / Detail | $200 — $500 | Yes |
| VIN Etching | $100 — $300 | Yes — often pure profit |
These can add $1,000-$2,500 to the listed price. Always ask for the out-the-door price.
6. Test Drive Checklist
- Cold start — does the engine start cleanly?
- Steering — smooth? Any vibration or pulling?
- Brakes — does it stop straight? Any pulsing?
- Transmission — smooth shifts? Any hesitation?
- Highway speed — any shaking at 60mph?
- AC/Heat — both working?
- All electronics — windows, locks, lights, radio
- Under the hood — any leaks, corrosion, or funny smells?
Start Your Research
Browse 229,574 vehicles — every listing shows recalls, market analysis, and price context.