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Ask questions.
Ask the seller if the car has ever been in accident or flood. Ask for the vehicle's maintenance record.
Buy a title history.
Get the vehicle's identification number (VIN), go to carfax.com or autocheck.com, and purchase a title history. You can review the title for terms such as "salvage" or "rebuilt" and track previous ownership. Some state motor vehicle departments may also provide some of this information.
Have the car inspected.
Take the vehicle to a mechanic or body shop you trust. Have them inspect the vehicle inside and out for previous repairs and the quality of any repair work they discover.
Ask about a warranty.
If buying from a dealer ask if there is a warranty on the vehicle.
Check out the seller.
Some unscrupulous sellers may try to sell a poorly repaired salvage vehicle. If you're buying from a car dealer, check out the dealership with the Better Business Bureau. If the seller is an individual, look through the classifieds for other vehicle ads with the same phone number - a sign of an unlicensed broker who sells used vehicles by posing as the owner.
Sources: Consumer Reports and Federal Trade Commission | 
