Repair and maintenance records

Aside from the general issues that affect used cars, such as mileage and reliability, there are certain specific factors to consider with a particular pre-owned vehicle you’re thinking about buying.

You should make sure that any used car you’re interested in has detailed repair and maintenance records, including routine care, such as new batteries, tire rotation, oil changes and brake pad replacement. Ideally, the records would also indicate if the car has been in an accident and what type of repair work was done. Under federal regulations, used-car dealers — or anyone who sells more than six used cars per year — must include a buyers guide with each car offered for sale. If you speak only Español, you’re entitled to a Spanish-language version. This guide is usually pasted to the car’s side window.

As-is condition

This guide should indicate if the car is being sold in “as is” condition — or whatever state of repair it’s in at the time of sale — or if it is under warranty. If there is a warranty, the guide should state what percentage of any future repair costs the dealer will pay. The guide should also spell out how well this particular vehicle’s major mechanical and electrical systems function.

To sell a car as-is, the car dealer must disclose any — and all — problems with the vehicle. If the dealer doesn’t do this, you may have some legal recourse if the car breaks down later. To learn which specific disclosures are required for legal as-is car sales in your state, contact your state’s attorney general's office.

Some used-car dealers may ask you to sign a document informally called an “as-is paper,” which shows you bought the car in its current condition. If you sign it, you may be giving up any right to pursue action against the dealer later if you have problems — even if they are problems he or she didn’t tell you about. For this reason, be extra cautious if you are going to sign an as-is document.

On your own

If you buy a used car from a private individual, there is no buyers guide. It’s up to you to obtain repair and maintenance records and to learn all you can about the car’s condition. Be sure to press the seller on these issues, and take the car for both a test drive and an independent mechanical inspection. And if you’re dealing with the car’s original owner, ask for records of the first purchase, including the window sticker.

If the car owner didn’t keep records — and unfortunately not everyone does — ask where the car was serviced and repaired. The repair shop or dealership will probably have its own records of working on the car, which it may share with you.