Report a Safety Defect
Get Service Bulletins on your car
Check out consumer complaints
Air bags, child safety seats
Crash test results
New Lifesaving Technologies You Should Demand On Your Next Car
How to Steer Clear of Lemons
THE ULTIMATE LEMON-AID
The best lemon protection is to find a reliable, trusted technician who will inspect that "great deal" before you even set foot on a dealer's lot. BEFORE you make any commitments, take that minivan or light truck to the technician's shop for a thorough inspection. Today's cars are increasingly complex and computerized. Your technician should have the up-to-date sophisticated equipment for diagnosing problems. He or she should also check to make sure all safety recall work has been performed.
Then, take the car on a test drive. Make sure the car meets your specific needs. For example, will your kids' child restraints all fit in the back seat? Consumer Reports has excellent advice on how to check out a car. Don't leave a deposit. That is just a way to make you feel obligated to buy, even if serious problems surface. If the seller balks, do not hesitate to walk away. There are millions of cars to choose from. You do not need to inherit someone else's headaches.
An inspection and test drive are good ideas for NEW cars as well as USED cars. A shocking percentage of new cars sustain damage prior to sale, or have latent defects. You can save yourself endless grief by taking your time at this stage. Keep those emotions in check, and let the dealer know you are not buying unless you are satisfied the vehicle is OK.
7 Reasons not to buy from an auto dealer
