• Vehicle History Report
• CARFAX Used Car History Report

Here are tips to keep in mind when shopping for a used car:

Research the car's history. First, ask the dealer if you can have a free Carfax report. The report, which is gleaned from public records, will tell you if the car has been in any major accidents or if the car has a salvaged or flood title. Many dealers subscribe to the Carfax service and will run a report for you. Or, you can go to the Web site yourself, http://www.is-it-a-lemon.com/carfax/ You can get a free report to start by putting in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The report will tell you how many records the service has on that particular car, but you'll have to pay either $19.99 for a report on one car or $24.99 for unlimited access.

Most dealers use Carfax. No personal information about the car's previous owner is listed, Carfax spokeswoman Liz DeCastro said.

Also, try to find out as much about the car's maintenance history as possible. If it's a private party, ask for the records. If it's a dealer, there's a possibility the car's records can be pulled up on the dealership or manufacturer's computer system. But it may not be all-inclusive.

Research prices. There are pricing guides at libraries and on the Web. Some include the Kelley Blue Book; Edmund's; and Consumer Reports. Also, check the newspaper classified ads to get an idea of what the going rate is for a particular car. However, keep in mind that no two used cars are in the same condition, so prices will vary.

Pricing guides are an average, said Ron Schecks, used car sales manager at Don Joseph Toyota in Kent, Ohio.

"There are hundreds of variables when it comes to used cars. You can't just take a book and say this is a 2000 Camry and it should be worth this," Schecks said. "It might be worth $1,500 less or $1,500 more. It's an average."

Ask about the warranty. Find out exactly what is covered in the warranty. What would your co-payments be? Is the warranty transferable if you sell the car later?

Get a mechanic to look at the car. Many car dealers will allow customers to take a used car they're considering to a trusted mechanic to get it checked out. If the dealership won't let you take the car off the lot, see if you can bring your mechanic to the dealership.

Go for a test drive. You should always try out the car.

Look at the bottom-line price. There are some instances where buying a new car with the big rebates and incentives may be cheaper than buying a used car that is only a year or two old. Make sure you do the math.

Realize that trade-in value and purchase value for used cars are different. Dealers offer less than market value for the car. For instance, according to a Consumer Reports used pricing report (available for $12 online), an average to above average-conditioned 2002 Camry Sedan XLE V6 with 5,000 miles has a trade-in value of $13,568 and a retail purchase price from the dealer of $15,493.

Know your rights. Used cars may not be protected by your state's Lemon Law. Only new cars may be covered under the law. Private-party sales, or those sold by individuals, are not covered by the federal Used Car Rule, which requires specific disclosures before a sale. If a seller promises anything about a car, have it put in writing.