TELL-TALE SIGNS OF A LEMON

LOW MILEAGE

Maybe the car has low mileage because it spent its entire life in the repair shop. Or – the owner was afraid to drive it. Be skeptical of claims the first owner could not make the payments, or decided to "trade up" to another vehicle. The salesperson does not want to admit a car is a lemonóthat would reduce the value. Many people wouldn't touch a lemon with a 10-foot pole, let alone deliberately buy one. So salespersons tend to make up stories. Don't fall for these lines.

"EXECUTIVE CAR," "DEMONSTRATOR"

You would be amazed at the creative names dealers invent to disguise a lemon as a peach. In some cases, unscrupulous dealers actually have the nerve to charge used car buyers extra for lemons, claiming they were driven by company executives and given red-carpet treatment. In reality, they are dangerous junk. Unless the dealer gives you the specifics in writing, you can assume these claims are not believable.

MULTIPLE OWNERS

Cars that have changed hands several times, were sold at auctions, or had out-of-state titles. These are real red flags. Auto manufacturers commonly dump lemons into auto auctions, where dealers from many states send buyers. If a dealer claims a car is a "one owner" cream puff, insist they put that claim in writing, and demand details. Be extra cautious about "off-lease" cars that are turned in before the end of the lease.