It's tough to admit your used car might be in one of these categories -- but you have to be honest with yourself. Look at these definitions and see if your used car belongs in them.
★★★
A car with this rating might have a few problems that may require a small investment to fix. Maybe the exterior paint has faded. There could be lots of scratches and dings – even a small dent or two. The interior dash and seats may have a worn, faded look to them. The tires are probably past their prime but still safe. Maintenance records probably don’t exist but this car has a clean title and can pass state and local inspections.★★
This is a vehicle that has been through some hard knocks. It has several mechanical problems – or has had several repaired recently. Its exterior and interior may be in dire need of reconditioning in terms of faded or missing paint. There are dents and some signs of rust. Tires most likely need replaced. It has a clean title, but might fail a state or local inspection on its first try.★
To paraphrase Ralph Nader, this car is unsafe at any speed. It has substantial mechanical problems or body damage that make it inoperable. The exterior and interior show signs of wear and damage. The tires are bald and unsafe to operate. Vehicles in this category also have branded titles (salvage, flood, frame damage, etc.) and will need major, costly repairs to pass inspection.
