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.
Selling Price vs Out-the-door Price: What’s the Difference?
Selling price is the negotiated price before taxes, fees, and add-ons. Out-the-door price is the full amount due to drive home.
How to Get Maintenance Records for My Car
Start with the dealer, any shop listed on old stickers or invoices, and your state DMV; with proof of ownership, you can…
Trade-in Value Calculator Accuracy: What to Trust
Online trade-in calculators are a planning tool, not a final offer. See where they miss by 10% to 20% and how to…
How to Check for Title Problems Before Buying a Used Car
Check the title first: match the VIN on the title, dashboard, door sticker, and seller ID, confirm the title is in the…
From the blog
Latest Used-Car Articles
New guides on inspecting, pricing, negotiating and selling.
What Does Accident History Mean on a Used Car Report?
Accident history means a reported crash, claim, or repair record tied to a VIN. It signals…
Can I Run a VIN Check for Free, and What Will I Miss?
A free VIN check can confirm basic vehicle details, but it can miss odometer fraud, title…
What Should You Do During a Used Car Test Drive?
Use a 20- to 30-minute test drive: check cold-start behavior, drive city and highway routes, then…
Used Car Inspection Checklist for Private Sellers and Dealers
Check the VIN, tires, brakes, lights, fluids, body panels, and paperwork before listing or trade-in, and…
Are High Mileage Cars Reliable? What to Check
High-mileage cars can still be reliable if service records are complete and near-term repair costs fit…
Are Old Cars Reliable If They Have Low Mileage?
Yes—an older car with low mileage can be reliable, but only if age-sensitive parts, fluids, tyres,…
Recent Guides
- Selling Price vs Out-the-door Price: What’s the Difference?
- How to Get Maintenance Records for My Car
- Trade-in Value Calculator Accuracy: What to Trust
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