The first thing you should do is look up the vehicle’s accident history on CarFax or AutoCheck, and check its mileage. Once you’ve determined the car you’re interested in hasn’t racked up too many miles or been involved in a lot of accidents, it’s time to inspect the vehicle and *take it for a test drive.
Look out for obvious problems like rust, leaks, or body damage—and make sure to pay attention to how the car handles. If you notice the car shaking, making strange sounds, or malfunctioning in some other way, it might not be the best pick.