Used car buying guides
Straight, practical advice for checking out a used car before you buy — and every guide is one click from the free tool.
How to check a used car for recalls (free)
Check any used car for open safety recalls in seconds, free, using official NHTSA data — by year/make/model or VIN. Here's exactly how, and what to do if you find one.
Read guide →How to tell if a used car is a lemon
Learn how to spot a lemon before you buy: the listing red flags, mechanical warning signs, title problems and bad model years that signal a used car to avoid.
Read guide →Free VIN check: what a VIN can (and can't) tell you
A free VIN check decodes the exact vehicle and its recalls — but not accidents or title. Here's what you can learn from a VIN for free, and what needs a paid report.
Read guide →15 questions to ask when buying a used car
The exact questions to ask a private seller or dealer before buying a used car — about history, title, mechanical condition and recalls — to avoid a costly mistake.
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