Used-car guide helps prospective buyers

FORT MYERS, Fla.- To help consumers navigate the used-car buying process, national non-profit advocacy group Call For Action launched a new online guide that informs prospective car buyers about possible hazards and equips them with the tools to avoid falling prey.

Today, used car sales are on the rise, accounting for 72-percent of all automotive sales in the United States. With the average used car purchase price nearly $15,000, consumers cannot afford to make a mistake.

“We know all too well that the used-car buying process can be a minefield of hazards. With this guide, we seek to pull back the curtain on the lack of transparency and exploitative practices that have become too common in the marketplace, and educate consumers about the best ways to ensure their purchase is right for them and their families,” said Shirley Rooker, president of Call For Action.

After witnessing an uptick in complaints about used-car buying at its nationwide calling centers, Call for Action teamed up with Experian Automotive, the organization behind AutoCheck vehicle history reports, to create a free, easy-to-understand guide on the topic. The guide provides a number of helpful resources, including informative websites; summarizes what to look for during inspections and test drives; and offers tips on financing.

The guide also includes a section entitled, “Buyer Beware,” which outlines some of the most common practices to avoid, such as title washing, where sellers remove brands and other negative information from a vehicle’s state-issued title; “as is” sales, which leaves the buyer on the hook for any repairs needed from the moment the transaction is complete; costly extended warranties and other deceptive financing; and online scams, such as curb selling that avoids state dealer licensing and other requirements.

Click here to access the guide.