What mistakes to avoid when buying a second-hand car

Criminals can create counterfeit or fraudulent titles and use them to legally register and then sell stolen cars. If you buy a car without a valid title, it's the worst-case scenario -- you don't legally own the car you just bought.

SHOOT: Be careful when buying a used car. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

clipped from autos.yahoo.com 5 Used-Car Red Flags If only cars could talk. It would make the buying experience a lot easier, wouldn't it? Because verbalized or not, every used car has a story to tell. And to avoid getting ripped off, it's up to you to listen. You need to know about the skeletons in that car's closet, the dark secrets of its past. Red Flag #1: No Service Records One of the most important aspects of a used car is its maintenance history. You want to make sure you're buying a vehicle that has had routine oil changes and major mileage services. Always ask the seller, even if it's a car dealership, for all service records. Red Flag #2: Vehicle and Accident History Issues The report shows accident/damage history as well as title problems, frame damage and an odometer rollback check -- any of which should be deal breakers. Red Flag #3: Mechanical Problems Red Flag #4: A Problem Title Red Flag #5: A Fraudulent Title