What Used Cars Not to Buy 3?
When purchasing a vehicle, consumers often must choose between new or used. While used cars tend to be less costly, they also come with certain risks and drawbacks that must be carefully considered before making their final decision.
Consumer Reports provided KPRC Click2Houston with advice regarding which used vehicles they advise against buying.
2. It’s Sold “As-Is”
Some private sellers opt to sell their used cars “as-is,” rather than investing in repairs to make them pass safety inspection. Doing this allows them to bypass middlemen and potentially make more money on the sale, but also makes the car much less desirable to buyers who need some kind of guarantee that it will be safe to drive.
Selling used cars “as-is” is legal in most states, though that doesn’t guarantee you won’t end up spending money on repairs later on. Pennsylvania requires dealerships to disclose any prior damage or other history to buyers even when the vehicle is sold as “as is.” Edmunds reports that “as is” simply indicates no warranty from either dealership or seller – note the asterisk next to each phrase used to describe their listing of used vehicles for sale as-is.
When purchasing used cars from dealers, your protections may still exist, though their wording differs significantly from private sales contracts. It’s essential that you understand this distinction since if any issues arise post-sale that weren’t apparent when purchasing, they may not fall under their responsibility for repair or refund.
Making a car roadworthy is difficult without having it professionally inspected and repaired, yet many individuals selling their cars as-is don’t have the money for this work. Although this might be acceptable if the vehicle is in great condition with no major issues to address, this approach may not be fair to buyers paying for an uninspected vehicle.
Buyers and sellers alike must carefully consider their options when purchasing used vehicles. Do your research thoroughly and take the time to inspect any vehicle you may be considering purchasing, while for cars being sold “as-is”, both parties should get the contract in writing and fully understand what they’re agreeing to in order to avoid surprises further down the line.
