Good deal or scam? What to look out for when buying used car

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – An indictment against the former owner of three used car dealershipsaccused of altering odometers and falsifying readings, raises questions about how to ensure that you’re getting a good deal with a used car purchase and aren’t being scammed.

“Whenever you’re buying a car, the first thing I would always do is do your research,” advises Mike Gisick with Midwest Kia in Wichita.

Gisick sells vehicles and knows the importance of knowing exactly what you’ll be getting when you’re thinking about making a big purchase. The best way to find out details on what you’re getting is to conduct an online history check through a source like CARFAX.

“When you’re looking at the AutoCheck or the CARFAX, it’s gonna give you the odometer reading,” Gisick said. Now, the average consumer is going to drive about 14,000 miles in Kansas, so that helps you figure out how many miles the car should have to start with.”

Most dealerships get cars from trade-ins, off-the-street sales and auctions, which can be a gamble.

“Unfortunately, even at auction, we’ll get a bad purchase ourselves,” he said.

You can do your best to try and avoid those bad purchases by taking the vehicle to a trusted mechanic and conducting a history check. In most cases, there is no other way to know you’re getting what you’re paying for.

“There’s no way to know. The best thing is to look at vehicle history. Does it line up with the condition of the car? Does the maintenance line up with the maintenance that was performed or the work that was performed? That’s about all you can do,” said Midwest Kia mechanic Bryce Moore.

Moore said even if the owner does their own maintenance, a potential buyer should ask for receipts to verify the work they’ve done. Most importantly, the expert advice is that if there isn’t a history report available on the vehicle you’re considering purchasing, steer clear.

“You know if they don’t keep their receipts and there’s not a CARFAX on it, I’d stay away,” Moore said.

Most dealerships offer a free history check when you’re looking to make a purchase, but even if you’re not going through a dealership, you can buy one for yourself online.