Car Buying Advice

Step-by-step: Buying a used car

Not sure where to start? Whether you are looking for a certified pre-owned or a private sale, or are buying from a dealer or neighbor, Consumer Reports can help lead you through the used car buying experience. This guide provides the essential information you need to choose a used car with a good reliability history, sell your old car, and get the best price. Also, see our new car guide.

Choosing a car:
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Pricing

Certified used-car programs

The terms of the used-car certification programs offered by auto manufacturers can vary widely. The table below summarizes key provisions. Warranty and roadside aid are given in months and miles, whichever comes first. Deductible is the fee you pay for a warranty repair. Roadside aid terms vary: Some give roadside service, others just towing or towing only for warranty-covered problems. Many expire at some number of months or miles from when the vehicle was bought new. These terms can change without notice, so be sure to double-check them before buying.

Make	Warranty beyond new-car warranty months/miles*	Deductible	Roadside aid, months/miles	Phone
Acura	12/12K comprehensive 84/100K powertrain from new	None	12/12K	800-382-2238
Audi	24/50K comprehensive	$50	72/100K from new	800-367-2834
BMW	24/50K comprehensive	$50	24/50K	800-831-1117
Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile, Pontiac	3/3K comprehensive	None	3/3K	800-462-8976
Cadillac	72/100K comprehensive from new	None	72/100K from new	800-333-4223
Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep	3/3K comprehensive 96/80K powertrain from new	$100	96/80K from new	877-745-7827
Ford, Mercury	72/75K powertrain from new	$100	72/75K from new	866-222-6798
Honda	12/12K comprehensive 48/64K powertrain from new	None	optional	800-999-1009
Hyundai	72/75K comprehensive	None	72/75K from new	800-633-5151
Infiniti	36/40K comprehensive	$50	36 from purchase/ 100K from new	800-662-6200
Jaguar	24/50K comprehensive	None	24/50K	800-452-4827
Land Rover	12/12K comprehensive	$100	24/50K	800-637-6837
Lexus	36/100K total miles comprehensive	None	36 from purchase/100K from new	800-255-3987
Lincoln	72/75K powertrain from new	$100	72/75K from new	800-521-4140
Mazda	12/12K comprehensive	None	12/12K	800-222-5500
Mercedes-Benz	12/50K comprehensive	None	unlimited	800-367-6372
Mitsubishi	72/72K or 120/100K powertrain	None	72/72K or 120/100K	888-548-7820
Nissan	36/100K powertrain	$50	36 from purchase/ 100K from new	800-647-7261
Porsche	24/50K comprehensive	None	72/100K from new	800-767-7243
Saab	72/100K comprehensive from new	None	72/100K from new	800-722-2872
Saturn	12/12K comprehensive	None	12/12K, towing only	800-553-6000
Subaru	12/100K powertrain out of warranty 72/60K comp. w/warranty	$50	12/100K 72/60K	800-782-2783
Suzuki	12/12K comprehensive	None	12/12K	800-934-0934
Toyota	3/3K comprehensive 84/100K powertrain from new	none	84/100K from new	800-468-6968
Volkswagen	24/24K comprehensive	None	24/unlimited	800-822-8987
Volvo	72/100K from new	none	72/100K from new	800-458-1552

*Certified coverage starts at expiration of new-car warranty, except where noted "from new."
**Depends on model year of covered vehicle.

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