Even cars that are less than a year old are 20-30 percent cheaper than brand-new cars. And here are some other good reasons to buy a used car:

Finally and most importantly, do your research and find out if there is any money owing on the vehicle. if you buy it and there’s money owing on it, you could very well be stuck with someone elses debt, and have a debt collector take the car away from you or have to pay their debt back.

Check Consumer Reports on the safest cars out there. Looks are one thing, but never ignore safety. Here’s what you do: Go to a dependable workshop and ask if you can bring your car by for a check up . There is a good chance they will say “yes”. While you’re there, ask the mechanic what cars they have to work on most. Ask what the inspection includes, how long it takes, and the price. Always get this information in writing – just to be safe. After your car has been inspected, ask the mechanic for a written report with a cost estimate for all necessary repairs. Be sure the report includes the vehicle’s make, model and VIN. If you decide to make an offer to the dealer after approving the inspection, you can use the estimated repair costs to negotiate the price of the vehicle.

See how easy that is? Are you going to make a private purchase? If so, then you’ll need to follow this next tip. Remember, private sellers generally are not covered by the same rules as car yards. However, there are some tricks you can use to test the sellers honesty. It’s simple! You can ask the seller if you can have the vehicle inspected by your mechanic. If he/she says, “No”… beware.

No matter how nice the car appears, something fishy is going on. Most private sales are likely to be on an “as is” basis, unless your purchase agreement with the seller specifically states otherwise. If you have a written contract, the seller is supposed to live up to the contract. The car also may be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty or a separately purchased service contract, but that doesn’t mean that the warranty and service contract are transferable. There may also be other limits or costs that apply. Before you buy the car, ask if it’s still under warranty or service contract, and read the contract very carefully. Some states will require vehicle sellers to pass an RWC inspection before a sale is made. That’s not always the case, though. To find out what your state requires, contact your state Consumer Affairs office or a local consumer protection agency. Hey, it’s just a phone call. And it will take less than 5 minutes. Whether you end up buying a used car from a dealer, a co-worker, or a neighbor, follow these tips to learn as much as you can about the car.

Of course if you have a little knowledge, you can examine the car yourself using an inspection checklist. You can find a checklist in many of the magazine articles, books and Internet sites that deal with buying a used car. Here’s a hint HOME Once I bought a used car in summer, and never thought to test the rear defroster. Guess what? Come the winter , I found out it didn’t work. If you’re shopping in the summer, don’t forget to check the heater. And if it’s cold as ice outside, still turn that airconditioner on full blast and make sure it works! Test drive the car under varied road conditions–on hills, highways, and in stop-and-go city traffic. Ask to see the car’s maintenance record. If the owner doesn’t have copies, contact the dealership or workshop where most of the work was done. They may be prepared to share their files with you. Talk to the previous owner where possible, especially if the present owner is unfamiliar with the car’s history. Have the car inspected by your mechanic.

There you go. Follow those three “used car buying” tips and you are guaranteed to save a ton of money buying a used car.