Beware: The CarFax report may not reveal everything

Steps to make sure the used car you're buying isn't a lemon

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you're in the market for a used car, there is no better time to buy. The market is flooded with vehicles that are coming off of their lease agreements, and that is sending prices tumbling. But, before you hand over any cash, there are several steps to take that could save you thousands of dollars and loads of frustration.

Used car frustration

When the Franklin family found out they were about to get a lot larger, they knew they had to make some changes.

"We were having twins, four kids total, so we had to upgrade to a bigger car," Cory Franklin told News4Jax.

The Franklins opted for a used Buick Enclave. They said they bought it from a dealership they had done prior business with.

"We trusted the dealership because this is the third car I've bought from them and we've never had problems with our other cars. This is the first time we have," said Franklin.

But he said just two days after buying the Buick, the trouble began.

"Every time you would drive it, it would shut completely down," Franklin explained. "Which was pretty unsafe for the family."

Unfortunately, this type complaint is nothing new for Tom Stephens, president of the Better Business Bureau of Northeast Florida.

Stephens told us the most common complaint he hears is, "It was a piece of junk that falls apart as soon as they drive it off of the lot."

Step 1 before you buy: Go to a mechanic

To help avoid problems when buying a used vehicle, the BBB says the first thing you should do is get the car checked out by a reputable mechanic.

"Once you've bought it, it's too late to check it out in my opinion. Cause if I find something, what are you going to do? You're stuck with it," said master mechanic Tony Mossuto with Everything Automotive, who is third-party trained to see things that you won't. 

Florida's Lemon Law only applies to new cars. So, once you buy a used car, it's yours -- along with any problems.

By taking a vehicle to be checked by a mechanic, it can be lifted and examined underneath and front to back.

"I had a car couple weeks ago, the frame was bent on it. You wouldn't know it unless you put it up in the air. So, it had been in a major accident," Mossuto explained.

He also pointed out, the CarFax report for that vehicle had nothing on it about the wreck. 

While it is absolutely recommended used car buyers look at a CarFax report to see a vehicle's history of any major repairs, recalls, or accidents, Mossuto says he does find damage to vehicles that he couldn't find listed on the CarFax.

It turns out, that was also a problem for Franklin's troubled Buick. His CarFax didn't include the whole story, and he didn't discover that until months after he bought it.

"We found out the rear had been wrecked and replaced. It wasn't the original hatch on the car and it had been repainted. That wasn't on the Carfax," said Franklin.

There are a number of reasons why information could be missing from a CarFax. For instance, the VIN can be accidentally recorded incorrectly or a person may fix damage themselves -- meaning it's never reported or documented. So, getting the car checked by a mechanic could really save you. 

Experts agree that the golden rule to avoid gambling on a used car is getting it checked out.

"If someone won't let you get the car checked out, look elsewhere," Stephens said. "It's as simple as that." 

Consumer Reports says if you find the car needs repairs after you get it inspected, don’t be afraid to demand the seller deduct the price of repairs from any offer.

Step 2 before you buy: Read before you sign

The second thing you need to do before you buy is examine the contract the seller offers you and read the fine print. Stephens said you specifically need to look for anything that could end up costing you more than what you expected to pay.

"The process is called spot delivery," Stephens said. "They deliver the car on the spot, but the terms of the sale are not finalized until the financing is in place."

Stephens explained to us that this can happen at places that offer their own financing. He warned, if the interest rate is not in the contract, it could be increased weeks after you get the car home -- causing your monthly payments to rise.

Where you shop matters

When buying used, consumer experts recommend you shop at dealerships and beware when buying from an individual.

"If you buy from a dealership, you have a business to complain to if they sell you a bad car," Stephens said, adding individuals have less to lose by selling you a piece of junk.

Consumer Reports says to make sure no fraud or crime is associated with the car, run the VIN through the National Insurance Crime Bureau. You can also verify title information through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System.

"Certified" used cars

When shopping around, consider buying a 'Certified' used car. 'Certified' means the vehicle has already been inspected and should be problem-free. Plus, certified vehicles usually come with a warranty. Mossuto has a warning, however.

"The people certifying it are the people selling it," Mossuto said. "I would still get an unbiased opinion."

Consumer Reports: What not to say and definitely what to do

Yes, used car salesman tactics have been the butt of jokes for years, and chances are you've probably heard some stories from people who have had a negative experience. But, Consumer Reports says first, if you know how to handle yourself with a salesman, it will work to your advantage.

“Understand going in that salesmen will try to take advantage of information you give them, like how much you can afford, or if you’re in a rush to buy. So never reveal anything,” advised Consumer Reports Auto Editor Jon Linkov.

Also, know your own information. You can learn the true value of the car based on its age, mileage and equipment levels by searching on places like Kelley Blue Book and VMR. You can compare that to the sticker price.

And, even though the CarFax report may not tell the whole story, you should always check a vehicle's history. Consumer Reports says you can check CarFax or AutoCheck.

Finally, you should also find out if any recalls have not been fixed. You can do that by entering the VIN on Safercar.org