Used Car Research Apps
Don't buy a used car without checking these.
Carfax / AutoCheck
$45/report or $100/3 months unlimitedVehicle history reports — accidents, owners, mileage history, recalls, service records.
Free if a dealer offers it; many do.
Kelley Blue Book (KBB)
FREESee market value of any car. Fair purchase price + trade-in value.
Bring KBB on your phone to negotiations.
Edmunds
FREEReviews, ratings, true price ranges. Strong ownership cost calculator (gas + insurance + repairs).
Best reviews of new and used.
AutoTrader / Cars.com
FREEBiggest classified listings. Filter by year, mileage, distance.
Both have apps and websites.
CarGurus
FREE"Great Deal" / "Fair Deal" / "High Price" tags. Tells you if a listing is overpriced for the market.
Most useful for spotting deals.
NADA Guides
FREEUsed by lenders for loan amounts. Sometimes higher value than KBB — useful when negotiating with the bank.
Always check both KBB and NADA.
NHTSA Recalls (free)
FREEType the VIN at nhtsa.gov to see all open recalls.
Always check before buying.
Pre-purchase checklist
- VIN check — copy the VIN from the dashboard. Run on Carfax / NHTSA recalls.
- KBB and NADA values — what should this car cost? Don\'t pay over Fair Market.
- Edmunds ownership cost — gas, repairs, insurance, depreciation over 5 years.
- Independent mechanic inspection — $80-150. Money well spent. Catches problems sellers hide.
- Title check — make sure it\'s a clean title, not salvage / rebuilt / flood.
- Test drive 30 minutes minimum — highway, city, parking, hills.
Red flags
- Listed price way below market — "if it\'s too good to be true...".
- Seller refuses inspection.
- Pressure to buy fast.
- Only accepts cash, wire transfer, or strange payment.
- Out-of-state seller wanting you to wire money.
- "Salvage", "rebuilt", or "flood" title — usually means major damage history.
- Engine warning lights, even briefly.
- Fluid leaks under the car.
- Burning smell or unusual noises during test drive.
Best places to buy
Certified Pre-Owned from a dealer of the same brand — most scrutinized, often comes with extended warranty. CarMax / Carvana — no haggling but might pay 5-10% more for the convenience. Private party — usually cheapest if you do all the homework above. Tax-wise: private sales avoid dealer fees but you owe tax through DMV.