Straight talk on used cars
Buy or sell a used car like you know the driveway.
Honest, practical guides to inspecting a car, reading a history report, judging a fair price, negotiating and selling your own car privately.
Browse by topic
Explore Used-Car Guides
Pick a topic for checklists, price advice and selling help.
Used Car Inspection
Driveway checklists, test-drive red flags and what a mechanic should check.
Explore topic →02Vehicle History Reports
How to read a report, what branded titles mean and what it does not show.
Explore topic →03Fair Pricing
How mileage, condition and history change what a car is worth.
Explore topic →04Negotiation
What to say, what to avoid and how to deal with private sellers and dealers.
Explore topic →05Reliability
Judging reliability, high mileage and service records before you buy.
Explore topic →06Selling Your Car
Selling privately step by step, listings, screening buyers and safe payment.
Explore topic →Featured reading
Start Here: Used-Car Essentials
The questions used-car buyers and sellers ask first.
VIN Check vs Carfax: What Is the Difference?
A VIN check covers identity, factory specs, and recalls; Carfax adds paid history records to help spot title, accident, and ownership issues.
How Do I Find the Private Party Value for My Car?
Use a private-party valuation tool, confirm VIN and trim, then price around the local median after mileage, options, and history adjustments.
Used Car Values by VIN: How Accurate Are They?
VIN-based used-car values are a strong starting estimate, but trim, mileage, options, and history can move the number a lot.
Where Can You Sell Your Car Online Safely? Route by Route
The safest way to sell your car online is usually a dealer offer or a reputable instant-buy service; private sale is safer…
From the blog
Latest Used-Car Articles
New guides on inspecting, pricing, negotiating and selling.
What paperwork is needed for seller financing on a car?
For seller financing on a car, you usually need two paperwork sets: the DMV title-transfer packet…
How Do I Compare Used Car Reliability by Year and Trim?
Compare used-car reliability within one generation first, then rank years and trims by problem history, powertrain…
Which VIN Check Is Best for a Used Car Buyer?
Pick a VIN check based on risk: specs-only for ID, recall-only for safety, or a full…
What Seller Disclosure Paperwork Is Needed to Sell a Car?
A private seller usually needs the signed title, a mileage disclosure, and any required damage or…
Recent Guides
- VIN Check vs Carfax: What Is the Difference?
- How Do I Find the Private Party Value for My Car?
- Used Car Values by VIN: How Accurate Are They?
Browse a topic above or search for your question.
Looking for a specific answer?
Search by topic, problem or step.