How to Avoid Buying a Lemon Vehicle in California

With the price of a new vehicle on the rise in California, the used car market has been growing steadily. In fact, according to data from Edmunds.com Inc., used car sales in California are set to hit record highs in the state in 2019, with more than 41 million vehicles expected to be sold by the end of the year.

The Senior Manager of Industry Analysis at Edmunds, Ivan Drury states that typically, sales patterns for new and used vehicles are the same. When the sales of new cars go up, so do the sales of used cars. Now, however, that trend seems to be changing, he says.

Drury states that data shows a new trend emerging, where the sales of new cars are going down, but the sales of used cars are going up. This is because new cars are becoming so expensive that they are growing out of reach for a lot of buyers.

Buying a Used Car in California

If you are in the market for a used car in California, then there are few things you should watch out for. There are a lot of unscrupulous people out there who are more than willing to sell you a lemon, a defective car. And if that happens, you may end up needing the services of a California lemon law attorney to help you recoup your losses.

So, before you buy a used car, keep these things in mind:

1. Check Reliability Records

One good way to avoid buying a lemon is to buy a car that is known for its reliability. You can check the Consumer Reports’ survey to find out which models are the most reliable.

2. Check the Window Sticker

All used cars that are up for sale are required by the Federal Trade Commission to have a window sticker on them. This window sticker will give you details about the car, such as whether it’s under warranty, or if it is being sold as-is, or even what percentage of repair costs the used car dealer is supposed to pay.

3. Check the Car Thoroughly

Before you buy a used car, check it thoroughly. Check for any dents, chipped paints or any other damage there might be on the exterior. Look for cracks on the dashboard, sagging headliners and so on in the interior of the car. Ensure that you have inspected the car thoroughly before you put any money down for it.

4. Check the Engine

If you know what to look for, then go ahead and check under the hood of the car for any possible damage to the engine. If you are not too sure about what to look for, it might be a good idea to get a car mechanic to come and help you assess the car thoroughly.

5. Check for Recalls and/or TSBs

Before you buy the car, do some research to see if there were any recalls by the automaker. The NTSA (National Traffic Safety Administration) has a list of all vehicle recalls, so you need to get the model details and check.

Also, check for TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins). These are notices sent out by the manufacturer that let customers know if there are any problems with a specific model and what you need to do to fix them. Ensure that all problems are fixed before you buy the car.

6. Check the History of the Vehicle

Always check the history of the car before you buy it. You can get a report of the vehicle’s history from either CarFax or Experian Automotive. You can also check with the NMVTIS (National Motor Vehicle Title Information System).