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.
How High Mileage Is Too High for a Used Car to Buy?
A used car is too high-mileage when the discount no longer covers the repairs you are likely to face. See the buy/no-buy…
How Much Are Dealer Fees on Used Cars?
Dealer fees on used cars usually run from about $200 to $1,000+, but the total depends on state, store, and add-ons. Know…
What Should You Offer on a Used Car?
Start with local fair-market price, subtract repair costs, then bid 10% to 15% below that number. Low-demand cars allow a tighter spread.
Private Party vs Dealer Price Difference: What Is Normal?
A normal private-party discount is often about 5% to 15% below dealer retail, but taxes, repairs, financing, and warranty coverage can erase…
From the blog
Latest Used-Car Articles
New guides on inspecting, pricing, negotiating and selling.
Can a Car Run Fine and Still Have Hidden Flood Damage?
Yes. A flood-damaged car can start, idle, shift, and drive normally on a short test, then…
How Many Photos Should a Car Listing Have?
Most used-car listings should use 12 to 20 photos, with about 12 as the minimum practical…
How Can I Check the Value of a Used Car Without a VIN?
Estimate a used car’s value without a VIN by matching trim, mileage, condition, and local comps.…
Should You Sell Your Car or Keep It?
Sell if equity is strong, the next 12 months of repairs will exceed the car’s value,…
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…
How to Get Maintenance Records for My Car
Start with the dealer, any shop listed on old stickers or invoices, and your state DMV;…
Recent Guides
- How High Mileage Is Too High for a Used Car to Buy?
- How Much Are Dealer Fees on Used Cars?
- What Should You Offer on a Used Car?
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