Ford Explorer: Buying 2nd hand Explorer

I can't give you details on specifically what to look for. You might go to
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/toc.html and check for technical service bulletins
and recalls. You may be able to have check the TSB stuff on the vehicle
itself to see if you can identify any problems and whether repairs have been
made.

A friendly Ford dealer may be able to give you TSB, recall and maintenance
historic stuff from Ford's national database if you provide the VIN number
and mention that you intend to bring the vehicle there for service and
repairs.

Some BIG recommendations:

Ask to see the paperwork on the vehicle and get the name of the previous
owner and CALL!!! Find out everything about this truck, including accidents,
whether anyone else ever owned it, maintenance, why they got rid of it, etc
If the name is that of a leasing company or rental company, be careful.
Personally, I wouldn't buy such as used car. If he doesn't have the title,
be extra careful. The vehicle still may have a unpaid lien. If he won't show
you the paperwork, assume it is the halves of two salvage Explorers welded
together (

Have a mechanic check it, one that will charge you $75-$100 and use a
comprehensive checklist and test drive to provide a written report. Make
sure he checks for signs of major body repairs and salvage rebuilding. Skip
the extended warranty.

A www.carfax.com or www.autocheck.com report is fine. But they may not find
everything.

Leave any deposits on a credit card only. Get any promises in writing.

Good luck.


--
Regards,
Anthony Giorgianni

The return address for this post is fictitious. Please reply by posting back
to the newsgroup.




"Av" <com> wrote in message
news:silverwraith.com... 

If you are buying this vehicle from a dealer, you can usually talk them into
running the VIN through carfax or autocheck. This will tell you if the car
has ever been totaled, lemon lawed or other significant problems.

LCC



"Anthony Giorgianni" <invalid>
wrote in message
news:n8uub.81131$ops.worldnet.att.net... 
bulletins 
been 
accidents, 
etc 
show 
Skip 
find 
back 

CarFax stinks...

The record I got from CarFax was incomplete at best. My explorer was a
transfer title, and not only did that not appear nor did 4 years of
registration in two different states. The used car dealer had those papers,
and gave them to me. CarFax didn't have any of that info.

They promised me a refund when I complained, but I never got it.

Just my $0.02


"LCC" <net> wrote in message
news:5vAub.18377$.. 
into 
to 
maintenance 
number 
title, 
welded 
bad