A car is one of the biggest purchases most people ever make. Last year, car purchases generated more complaints to the Consumer Protection Division at the Iowa Attorney General's Office than any other kind of transaction.
Here are some things to know when buying a used car.
Have it inspected and do your research
Consumer advocates warn that used cars need to be inspected, and consumers should research their titles and histories before making a purchase. Stop by your mechanic's shop on your test drive. Also, online services like CARFAX will sell you vehicle histories that include things like accident records.
Used-car buyers are encouraged to check the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, which Iowa and more than 40 other states belong to. But that still may not give you an accurate history of the vehicle.
Remember: There's no return policy
Used-car sales are final under Iowa law. Unlike with door-to-door sales, buyers don’t have a three-day right to cancel a deal if they don’t like what they bought.
Criminal charges can be brought only if there is proof of deception.
Iowa does have a lemon law, but it's limited when it comes to used cars. According to the attorney general's office, to qualify, a vehicle must:
- Be under 2 years old.
- Have less than 24,000 miles on it.
- Weigh less than 15,000 pounds, as listed on the vehicle title and registration.
It also must have been:
- In the shop three or more times for the same unresolved problem, or...
- In the shop at least one time due to an unresolved defect likely to cause serious bodily injury or death, or ...
- Out of service for a total of 20 or more days with a problem that still exists.
Meeting those requirement may qualify you to file suit, but still doesn't guarantee you'll get your money back.
If you're suspicious, check it out
Contact the Iowa DOT’s Bureau of Investigation & Identity Protection at invbureau@iowadot.us or the Iowa Attorney General’s Office Consumer Protection Division at 515-281-5926 to confirm legitimacy or to report any interactions you believe are fraudulent.
Know these 10 signs that a car is salvaged
According to Consumer Reports:
- Paint that chips off or doesn’t match indicates damage repair and poor blending.
- Paint overspray on chrome, trim or rubber seals around body openings reveals that the adjacent panel was repaired.
- A CAPA (Certified Automotive Parts Association) sticker on any part may indicate collision repair.
- Fresh undercoating on wheel wells, chassis or engine strongly suggests recent structural repairs have been covered up.
- A door that doesn’t close correctly could point to a door-frame deformation and poor repair.
- A hood or trunk that doesn’t close squarely may indicate twisting from side impact.
- A dashboard air-bag indicator that doesn’t light up could mean the air bag was replaced improperly — or wasn’t replaced at all — after an accident.
- Big dents, kinks in structural components, or crimped or crunched fuel lines and pipes underneath a vehicle can be the easiest problems to find because rebuilders assume you won’t be looking there.
- Inconsistent welds around the hood apron, doors, door frames or trunk exemplify a non-factory weld.
- Frayed safety belts or belt fibers that have melted together may indicate a previous frontal impact above 15 mph.
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What to know when you're buying a used car in Iowa, and why the lemon law likely won't help - Des Moines Register
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