Straight talk on used cars
Buy or sell a used car like you know the driveway.
Honest, practical guides to inspecting a car, reading a history report, judging a fair price, negotiating and selling your own car privately.
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Explore Used-Car Guides
Pick a topic for checklists, price advice and selling help.
Used Car Inspection
Driveway checklists, test-drive red flags and what a mechanic should check.
Explore topic →02Vehicle History Reports
How to read a report, what branded titles mean and what it does not show.
Explore topic →03Fair Pricing
How mileage, condition and history change what a car is worth.
Explore topic →04Negotiation
What to say, what to avoid and how to deal with private sellers and dealers.
Explore topic →05Reliability
Judging reliability, high mileage and service records before you buy.
Explore topic →06Selling Your Car
Selling privately step by step, listings, screening buyers and safe payment.
Explore topic →Featured reading
Start Here: Used-Car Essentials
The questions used-car buyers and sellers ask first.
What Does Out-the-Door Price Mean on a Used Car?
Out-the-door price is the total amount you pay to take a used car home, including the vehicle price, taxes, title, registration, and…
What Is Trade-in Value on a Car?
Trade-in value is the amount a dealer credits for your car before it resells it. See how dealers price offers and what…
What Are Title Problems on a Car?
A title problem is any ownership, lien, branding, or fraud issue that can stop a DMV transfer. This guide explains the main…
How to Check a Car’s Accident History by VIN
Run the VIN through at least two history sources, then confirm any damage with paint, panel, and repair checks before you buy.
From the blog
Latest Used-Car Articles
New guides on inspecting, pricing, negotiating and selling.
What to Bring to a Test Drive of a Used Car
Bring your license, proof of insurance, phone, charger, flashlight, tire-pressure gauge, and a checklist before the…
What Is a Used Car Inspection and What Does It Include?
A used-car inspection checks the engine, brakes, tires, body, electronics, and documents before you buy, so…
What Paperwork Do I Need to Sell My Car Privately?
You need the V5C logbook, a signed sales receipt, and a DVLA change-of-keeper notice; if the…
How to Check a Used Car Reliability Rating Before You Buy
Compare at least two reliability sources, then check the VIN history, recall status, and service records…
Can You Negotiate on Used Cars?
Used-car prices are usually negotiable, and dealer fees sometimes are too, but taxes, title, and registration…
Flood Damage Car Problems: What Shows Up First?
The first flood-damage signs are usually damp carpet, a musty odor, mud or silt in seams,…
Recent Guides
- What Does Out-the-Door Price Mean on a Used Car?
- What Is Trade-in Value on a Car?
- What Are Title Problems on a Car?
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