Be careful to check the legitimacy of these companies with the Better Business Bureau or another consumer protection agency. On the Kelley Blue Book site, you can do a free search to find out which vehicle identification numbers have been cited for things such as flood damage or odometer fraud. At the car lot, ask to see a copy of the dealer's warranty before you buy. Ask for the car's maintenance record from the owner, dealer or repair shop. Use your state's lemon laws to your advantage.
States have lemon laws and consumer legislation that can help some victims.
But even lemon laws have their limits when it comes to these rebuilt bombs. There is no federal law to stop the practice. The cleaned-up Floyd cars floating onto the market are just a surge in a steady flow of junk onto used car lots. Dirty lemons also roll over state lines and come up clean. That's the loophole.