When buying a used car, do you take it to a local mechanic first?

[Anonymous]

We bought our minivan used from a dealer we had used before. We did not take it to a mechanic first, but it has been a great car. We are going to trade it in soon and get either a new car or a slightly used one from a dealer. If we get a used one, should we take it in to a mechanic to get it checked out first? And how would we find a good mechanic? We usually service our cars at the dealer so we don`t have we regularly use and we to find an honest one. And how did you make the arrangements with the car dealer?

[Anonymous]

I don’t buy used cars. Problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We bought our minivan used from a dealer we had used before. We did not take it to a mechanic first, but it has been a great car. We are going to trade it in soon and get either a new car or a slightly used one from a dealer. If we get a used one, should we take it in to a mechanic to get it checked out first? And how would we find a good mechanic? We usually service our cars at the dealer so we don`t have we regularly use and we to find an honest one. And how did you make the arrangements with the car dealer?

I don't know... I mean if you are using dealer to service your car, any mechanic would be more honest than the ones you are using now. Try Checkbook near your home.

[Anonymous]

You only do this if you're buying off craigslist. I think the dealer would think you're being crazy for doing this and I doubt they'd let it off the lot without being purchased.

[Anonymous]

We just bought a used car from a dealer and we did this. They gave us 3 days to do it and didn't seem at all surprised.
We used our trusted mechanic, who spent about an hour checking it out for free. It was fine, which we expected, but it gave us peace of mind since we know nothing about cars. Sorry, don't know how you find a mechanic unless you ask people who they use. We never get serviced at the dealer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t buy used cars. Problem solved.

Perhaps this post wasn't for you.

[Anonymous]

Not sure if this helps -- but I purchased a used car and found a problem right away. The dealership I bought it from took care of it free of charge.

[Anonymous]

A pre-purchase inspection is a must and any reputable dealer will not only allow it but encourage it.

PP’s experience notwithstanding, expect to pay about 130 for it.