Orlando, FL asked in Consumer Law for Florida

Q: What are your tips for buying a used car in Florida?

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1 Lawyer Answer
Matthew J Ausley
PREMIUM
Matthew J Ausley
Answered
  • Jacksonville, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: When buying a used car, one of the best things you can do is take the car to an independent mechanic and have them conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle, BEFORE YOU PURCHASE. Used cars are almost always sold in an “as is” condition. That means you get the car in whatever condition it is in, no warranty or guarantee.

You can expect to pay $150 or so for a good inspection. However, this information is very valuable if it saves you from purchasing something with discoverable issues. You can also use that information to negotiate for a lower price.

Even if you could negotiate a warranty on a used car, it would be very difficult to enforce that against an individual person. So, when someone says a car is in mint condition, that statement is meaningless. Have the vehicle inspected before you buy. That is the best way to minimize risk.

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