A wash, wax and fresh coat of paint can go a long way, but the truth is when you're shopping for a used car you'll need to look beyond exterior appearances to really do your homework. Not all used cars are created equal, and despite a dealer's or seller's best intentions, sometimes a car's history can make it a less-than-ideal option. Knowing what to look for when you're in the market can help you uncover details that can inform your decision and save you money and headaches down the road.<\/p>\n
Study your history<\/strong> Paint yourself a picture<\/strong>
\nNo, not your wars and presidents and important dates, though they're probably important to. The history you want to concern yourself with while car shopping is that of the vehicle in question. Specifically, you'll want to know its service history. Most dealers can provide Carfax reports detailing any major repairs that have been performed, giving you an idea of the sort of damage the car has taken.<\/p>\n
\nIt may sound strange, but your car's paint job can tell you lots about some of its repair history. Especially in instances where there's no service history for you to reference, you'll need to break out your magnifying glass and detective hat as part of your evaluation. MSN Autos recommended looking for what's called overspray – excess paint spatter you may notice on the car's trim, tires or wheel\u200b wells. This can be a red flag pointing to recent or hastily conducted repairs, and should be taken into account.<\/p>\n