Used-car warranty laws are on the books in Connecticut, Main, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. You can often get a good deal if you buy a car from a private party. That's because there is no dealer overhead and markup figured into the price. If you shop through a newspaper ad, ask about the car's condition and mileage, whether it's been in a wreck, and why it's being sold. Also ask whether the seller is a dealer.
Some unethical operators pose as ordinary citizens to sell their cars.
Looking for trouble Never buy on looks alone. After you've found a candidate, give it a thorough inspection-on the lot, on the road, and at the service station. Bring along a friend to help troubleshoot. Greenish stains on the radiator denote pinhole. To check an automatic transmission, warm up the engine and remove the dipstick.