Advertising claims

A local used car dealer by the name of "Rocky's Autos" recently ran a TV ad that claimed all of their cars were "Certified" by the State of Colorado. Well, really...?

In fact, the State of Colorado HAS NEVER "CERTIFIED" ANY USED CAR! What this place was referring to is a standard Emissions Test. State law says that when a car is sold it must pass an emissions test before it can be properly registered to the new owner. Nowhere on the emissions test report form (the one that is printed at the test station) does it have the word "Certified."

Whether or not the car passes the test the print-out the form says "VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORT - STATE OF COLORADO", and nowhere does the word certified appear, not even once! It is not a safety inspection or any other guaranty of fitness—it is only an emissions test. Hey, Rocky's Autos—tell it like it is !

Visit Air Care Colorado and learn more about Vehicle Inspection Reports.

Read more on how the term "Certified" can be misleading >

About auto auctions

All auto auctions are "open to the public," although some require dealer licenses that are available at your local DMV. So if the name of the auction house is "Public Auto Auction" or claims it's "Now open to the Public," that really isn't that special or creative.

I have heard many people say "I'm goin' to the auction to get a good deal/low price on a car." I have inspected many cars that have just come from the auction with the new owner behind the wheel, and I can say from experience that it usually turns out bad!

So, here's the truth about auto auctions.

Auctions are where used car lots gather inventory for resale to the public. These cars cannot be road tested or inspected at length. There is no warranty. The purchase price will not be refunded - no matter how bad the car drives or runs. It's up to the used car lot to make it fit for the road, if possible. The cars come from lease returns, from trade in's at another dealer, or from body shops. Insurance companies put tremendous pressure on autobody shops to keep costs down, usually resulting in the vehicles not being completely repaired to their pre-loss condition as required by the insurance contract.

Some come from private speculators who resell insurance "totals" (total loss claim) after they repair them, primp-up their appearance and pass only basic safety inspections (self-imposed). After the sale, cars that are poorly repaired end up being traded in by dissatisfied owners, and then sold to unsuspecting buyers or perhaps run through the auction again.

Do you really want a car like this? If so, remember that you are now a "Market Speculator" by definition and speculators take risks!

Used car representations

Don't believe anything anyone says when they are trying to sell you a car because for some unknown, magical reason, everyone somehow is transformed into a liar!

Here's a true story: I was calling ads in the newspaper for a used car. This guy had just the one I was looking for and he sounded honest. He even told me he was a Sheriff, and he was-- I got to see his ID. When I asked him if the car had been crashed (even a little) he said, no! I drove to the shop and inspected it, where I found recent body repairs from a fender bender. You know what? I liked the car. I would have bought it except for the lie!

The moral of this story is: we ALL tend to lie we we sell a car, so watch out! Buyer beware! Claims of vehicle fitness not in writing are worth what you'd expect: nothing. In the end what you got is what you bought!

Private party used cars

I recommend a private party purchase between two people as a first choice when buying a used car. Here's why.

From a private party you can ask for maintenance records, expect to see them and keep them if you buy the car. You usually get a history of service record at the local dealer or garage where it was serviced which might make the pre-purchase inspection very easy for you if the shop is honest about their knowledge of the cars condition. You still should get a second opinion if you feel you need one.

Brokers and locators

Some used car brokers and locators are really just used car dealers pretending to be independent!

In 2002 I opened up the phone book and called 34 companies that advertised special ordering and location of premium used and new cars. It took a week of research to find that 33 were in fact used car lots with an off-location office--which makes their job of finding and inspecting a car for you very easy.

There is ONE exception!

Doug Ehrlich of Auto Buyer's Pro was the only independent locator and inspector that I discovered. And I found him to be very honest and timely in his advice. Doug's style of up-front fee quotes and time schedules is truly refreshing and should be sought out if you don't already have someone like me looking out for you. It is a luxury service for people willing to pay the extra fee, but you may want this type of attention. Doug Ehrlich's number is 303-888-8889 or visit the Auto Buyer's Pro website at www.autobuyerspro.com.

Certified used cars

The term "certified" has been quite a craze in the used car market and it could mean just about anything. What it usually means is that the car has passed inspection well enough to qualify for an "internally-administered" bargain-basement "extended warranty"--one that, of course, adds $1500.00 to the price.

READ THE WARRANTY for these cars! It will read something like: "must be returned to selling dealer's service department for warranty repairs, and a deductible must be paid." So... "certified" really means you are LOCKED INTO their repair shop--and no one else's--when it comes time for a repair. The policy is not transferable and impartial inspectors are not allowed. Any expense by you outside of their service department is NOT covered.

I recommend that for a used car purchase you buy a comprehensive warranty from independent insurance company. They are available (and preferred) at a cost of $2500 to $4000. And they work in any shop, anywhere.

Get the Second Opinion "Used Car Checklist" and order a car documents pouch