Jack Williams

How to Select a Sound Used Car

When you buy a used car, you don't have to "buy someone else's problems." According to Jack Gillis, co-author of The Car Book, there are steps you can take to ensure that you aren't getting a car that has been wrecked or rebuilt. USA Today reports, "Each year, about 6 million cars are in crashes serious enough to report to police and insurers. About 12% of these are totaled or "salvage" vehicles, and that doesn't include flood-damaged cars. Some of these wrecked cars are rebuilt and wind up on used car lots, even at prominent dealers. That can cause problems with the vehicles' performance and safety, along with making them more difficult to resell."

Getting a used car's history report from Carfax, AutoCheck and the Justice Department's database is important, but it's only a part of the process. Other ways to determine whether a used car is reliable and a good value for your money are listed here.

· Go to a dealer or person you have good reason to trust.

· Check Consumer Reports' quality ratings and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's complaint database to see what others are saying about a vehicle you're considering.

· Have an independent mechanic check the vehicle for mechanical, frame and electronic problems. Flood damage can wreak havoc on a car's electronics.

When you've selected the used car that you want, check into how much of the original warranty is left on the car or see if a factory warranty is available. By following these steps, you should be able to purchase a dependable, desirable pre-owned car for a fraction of the cost of a new one.

Jack Williams Tire and Auto Service Centers specialize in all of your vehicle's service needs. Whether your vehicle needs factory scheduled maintenance, state inspections or mission inspections, Jack Williams' ASE certified professionals know just how to help you. Visit any of our 29 locations to meet with Jack Williams' team of experts for alignments, brakes, shocks, struts, exhausts, batteries, fluid services, oil changes, filters, belts, hoses, diagnostics and more! Jack Williams Tire is proud to employ ASE certified technicians.