Car Buying Toolkit
Free checklists and guides for buying a used car. No sign-up, just download.
Before you look
Know what you are walking into before you drive across town.
Is CARFAX Accurate? What a Clean Report Can and Can't Tell You
It is usually right about what it was told. What matters is what it was never told.
Is That Private Seller Really a Dealer? How to Spot Curbstoning
Watch for several signs together, not just one. What to check before you buy.
How to Check a Used Car for Open Recalls by VIN
A free lookup that takes a few minutes and needs only the VIN.
Electric Car Buying Checklist
What to look at on a used EV before you commit.
Used Car Buying Guide
The whole purchase in order, from first search to signing.
At the car
Bring it with you. Check the car in front of you, not the sales pitch.
Used Car Inspection Checklist
Print it and carry it to the car. Tick items off as you walk around it.
10 Used Car Red Flags to Catch Before You Pay
The warning signs that should slow you down or end the visit.
How to Read a Tire Date Code, and How Old Is Too Old
A tire can have plenty of tread and still be finished. The spare is often the oldest one.
Check Engine Light Off? How to Tell If the Codes Were Just Cleared
A dark dash does not prove the codes are clean. What the readiness monitors tell you.
Questions to Ask the Seller
Plain questions that get straight answers, ready to print.
After the inspection
Decide with the facts, and know your options if something turns up later.
Check Engine Light Came On After You Bought the Car? What to Do Now
Steady or flashing tells you how fast to act, and what to keep from the sale.
Carvana's 7-Day Return Policy: How to Use It Before It Runs Out
Carvana's terms give you seven days and 400 miles. What to check while you still can.
Mice Nest in Cars That Sit: What We Find, and What to Do After You Buy
What our technicians have found under the hood, and the spot our inspection cannot see.
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