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A majority of Floridians seeking to acquire a
vehicle will purchase a used car as opposed to a
new one. But the dream of saving substantial
cash and driving away in your beautiful
"cream-puff" can quickly become a nightmare of
breakdowns and expensive repairs.
TIPS FOR CONSUMERS
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Research |
Check your local library for reference material
on various car models, options, their
comparative costs and their track-record for
reliability. Check the Classified section of
your newspaper to compare prices. Call the Auto
Safety Hotline (800-424-9393) to learn whether a
specific car model has ever been recalled.
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Costs |
The real cost of a car includes more than its
purchase price. Consider the vehicle's
reliability. An unreliable car may cost you much
more in frequent repairs, not to mention the
aggravation and even lost time from work that
you may incur. Financing terms can also
significantly affect your total costs. Check
with your local bank, credit union or even
insurance company or motor club to compare
rates.
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Used Car Dealers |
Check with Florida's Division of Consumer
Services (800-435-7352) and the Better Business
Bureau to learn if they have received complaints
against a particular dealer. Never rely solely
upon oral promises of a salesman which will be
difficult or impossible to enforce; ask the
salesman to put it in writing. If you are
considering buying a specific car, insist upon
having the vehicle inspected by an independent
mechanic before you buy. Refusal to allow an
independent inspection should be a clear
warning, and you should consider taking your
business elsewhere. Ask if the vehicle has ever
been in an accident.
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"Buyers Guide" |
Federal law requires dealers to affix a Buyer's
Guide sticker on the window of each used car.
The sticker will inform you as to: whether the
car comes with a warranty and, if so what
specific protection the dealer will provide;
whether the car is sold "as is" (with no
warranties); that you should ask to have the car
inspected by an independent mechanic before you
buy; that you should get all promises in
writing; and what some of the major problems are
that may occur in any vehicle. If the deal was
conducted in Spanish, you are entitled to retain
a Spanish-language version of the Buyer's Guide.
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Warranties |
Buying a car "as is" disclaims all warranties.
You should not expect any legal protection if
the car is a "lemon." In Florida, there is no
Used Car Lemon Law. If the dealer does not
affirmatively disclaim all warranties in
writing, you will be covered at least by implied
warranties of merchantability (the product will
do what it is supposed to do), fitness for a
particular purpose (dealer's advice that the car
will be suitable for a particular use, such as
hauling a trailer), and good title. If the
dealer provides its own written warranty, read
the terms carefully to determine what repairs
are covered, the extent of coverage (parts,
labor, deductibles, exclusions) and the other
terms and conditions. The dealer may try to sell
you an extended service contract. You should
consider the extent to which the same repairs
are already covered under the dealer's warranty.
The value of a service contract is determined by
whether its price is likely to be greater or
less than the cost of repairs to the car.
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Private Sales |
You may save money by buying a used car from a
private individual, such as through the
classified section of your newspaper. But you
should be aware that private sellers do not have
to provide you with a Buyer's Guide, and do not
provide implied warranties under state law.
Therefore, it may be even more important to
obtain warranty promises in writing and to
obtain an independent inspection prior to
purchase.
Source: Originally developed by
the Florida Attorney General's Office |
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University Park Campus MARC 330
11200 SW 8th Street Miami, FL 33199
