25 WAYS TO AVOID A LEMON (CAR BUYING)

Preliminary steps in buying a car include reading consumer information and consulting present owners; investigating a dealer's reputation, including references; establishing a working relationship with key dealership personnel; and checking out dealer service facilities. Advice on paperwork includes understanding every charge, establishing the best interest rate for financing, having every clause of the contract explained, understanding individual responsibilities (dealer, manufacturer, owner) in the warranty, and keeping accurate service records. A new car should be thoroughly inspected in daylight and taken for a test drive accompanied by the salesman. Avoiding lemons in the used-car market involves establishing the car's worth, determining ownership through proper documentation, obtaining background information, and inspecting the car (under the hood, under the car, and the interior). The prospective used-car buyer who does not want to inspect the car himself can hire a competent mechanic; compliance with state requirements must be established before the car can be registered. After a purchase decision has been made, a simple written agreement defining the terms of the transaction (car identity, sum paid, and car condition) may be sufficient; an attorney's advice may be obtained for extra assurance. Depending on the value of the used car, insurance against various mechanical failures may be advantageous. If the car is unsatisfactory, there are three recourses: complaining to the dealer, manufacturer, consumer protection agency, or the local press; taking one's business elsewhere; and as the last resort, filing suit.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00272094
• Corporate Authors:

  Petersen Publishing Company

  8490 Sunset Boulevard
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90069
• Authors:
  • Gregory, FMH
• Publication Date: 1980-10

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 79-85
• Serial:
  • Motor Trend
  • Volume: 32
  • Issue Number: 10
  • Publisher: Petersen Publishing Company
  • ISSN: 0027-2094

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile dealers; Automobiles; Consumers; Crash investigation; Inspection; Motor vehicles; Purchasing; Studies; Used vehicle industry; Vehicle tests
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00380916
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-030 383
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 30 1984 12:00AM