No matter what you’re buying in life, it’s important to do a little research before you shell out any of your hard earned cash. And the same goes for cars, and used cars, in particular. If you’re looking to buy a used car, here are the things you need to know and look out for…

Make sure that the vehicle has a good, clean title.

When checking out a title, it is best to use an online resource such as Carfax. Carfax is probably the largest data mine of vehicle transactions across the country. Checking the title will allow you to see the accurate mileage on the vehicle, and when the original owner first purchased the car. It can also tell you if the car belonged to an individual who bought it off the lot, if it was owned by a company, and even if it was owned by an entire fleet. Additionally, Carfax will tell you whether or not the vehicle you are considering to purchase has been in any accidents, if there was any work done to the body of the car, and much more. As a tip, we suggest that you stay away from salvaged vehicles.

Don’t be pushed into buying any extended warranties if the subject comes up with the original owner or dealer.

This can lock you into paying claims and fees each and every year, which is sometimes unnecessary and a way to make money. However, there are some things that you might want to consider before opting in to buying an extended warranty. For example, you’ll need to know what is covered. Such as whether or not you will be taken care of if the used car you just purchased breaks down after ten miles of driving it down the road and off of the lot.