Buying a used vehicle can be a frustrating experience. How do you truly know what you are purchasing? How do you determine the true condition of a vehicle from a private party, a car lot or a dealership? Answer: Get a Pre-Purchase inspection from an reputable "independent" shop.  Tips for asking for a pre-purchase inspection? Go to bottom of this blog.   Getting a Pre-Purchase inspection will give you  Vital information about the condition of the vehicle  Estimates for repairs that may be needed so you can decide if the price is worth the costs Bargaining power with the seller   The first thing to know is that a seller may not be totally honest and forthcoming about the condition of the vehicle. Even honest sellers may not really know the "true" condition of the vehicle or be aware of a needed repair lurking under the hood. Second, if you are purchasing from a lot, many vehicles come from out of state and could ... read more