While many dealers offer warranties on low mileage used cars in New Jersey, one oil company is willing to sweeten the deal for customers that use their products.

Depending on what oil an owner decides to use when maintaining his or her car, Valvoline says it will cover the cost of an engine failure up to $5,000 until the odometer reaches 300,000 miles.

There are some restrictions in place, like having to register the car before it’s traveled 75,000 miles, owning a 1990 model or newer and keeping the engine free of modified components like those used for racing.

But for those who change their own oil, or who have the work done at a company-sponsored center every 4,000 miles, it may offer another layer of protection in case of engine failure not related to an accident after an 18-month probation period.

Owners are allowed three chances to make a mistake in either using the wrong oil, not changing it for up to 6,000 miles, or not recording the services performed.

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Potential customers looking for used cars in New York may have some competition for at least one vehicle, but a famous pizza chain owner is willing to offer a reward if they find the used Chevrolet Camaro he once owned.

Papa John’s owner John Schnatter says he sold his 1972 Camaro to help start his business, but 25 years later, he still misses the car that got him $1,600 in restaurant equipment.

So he began a road trip with stops in Indiana, Georgia and Texas, driving a similar car and delivering pizzas to spread the word that it’s worth $25,000 to him for someone to track down his original car.

Schnatter has tried to help out with what he remembers of the car, including the sunroof, velvet interior and no air conditioning, as well as a differential he installed that makes the speedometer read about 10 miles per hour over the actual speed.

Americans have until the end of August to find a vehicle title that has Schnatter’s name on it, and can still get the prize money even if they don’t actually own the used Chevrolet.

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Buyers interested in used cars in New Jersey may know that online research can help them make the right decision about their next auto purchase, but the history reports offered by some websites may not be completely accurate.

Consumer Reports asked for vehicle history reports from a number of online providers for vehicles they knew had significant body damage based on owner interviews and photos provided to the non-profit.

They say that clean reports came back from many of the providers, either because damage may not have been reported to an insurance company, or was used by a rental company.

To ensure that buying a used car in New Jersey doesn’t mean picking up a lemon, they say that going over the car in person with a mechanic can help pick up evidence of paint overspray or other tell-tale signs of extensive body work that could lead to further problems down the road.

“Many dealerships provide free history reports to consumers,” said Anthony Giorgianni, Consumer Reports associate editor. “The reports provide useful information. But it’s what they can miss that should worry you.”

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For those considering picking up a used car in New Jersey, one writer says that a seven-step plan may help make for the right price to fit their budget.

Budgeting enough time, up to a couple weeks, can help limit the chances for a seller to drive a hard bargain, writes Eric Mack for the Kentucky Post, and gives potential buyers time to research information about a car’s history and features.

Also, even if the plan is to finance the vehicle, having cash in hand may help prove to a seller that things are serious, as the more cash that’s available, the more likely a dealer is to take a somewhat lower offer, according to the news provider.

They can also benefit from a wider range of vehicles to choose from, according to a Virginian-Pilot report that says that many dealerships that have been closed down by Chrysler and General Motors are now turning to used cars, bringing in more vehicles to help maintain sales levels.

“The used-car business is very strong,” Alan Rice, Colonial Cadillac executive manager told the news provider, adding that at a two-day sale, his firm sold used trucks and SUVs at five times the normal rate.

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