Avoid A Lemon Tips:

What to carry with you to the vehicle: Don't be afraid of opening doors, pushing buttons, pulling on seat belts. You've only got one chance to make sure everything works!

• Digital Camera:Photograph everything from the inside out. Once you get passed the initial excitement, review these pictures on your home computer to spot the imperfections you couldn't see at first glance.
• Flashlight:Look past the surface. Shine the light into all the dark areas. Look for leaks, stains, critters, etc..
• Mirror:Use this to get into places you can't fit. Under the dash, seats, wheel wells, rocker panels, front and rear bumpers.
• Pen & Paper:Make note of everything you see, mileage, rips, scratches, dents, floor mats, power options, add-ons. It is very difficult to remember everything, especially when you're looking at multiple vehicles.
• Lightweight Magnet(i.e. fridge magnet):This is a great tool to use when looking for 'bondo' or body filler. Place the magnet on areas throughout the vehicle and if it sticks...there's metal. If it falls off...there is something else.

What to ask the seller:Ask these questions before you see the vehicle. Then, ask these questions again when face to face with the seller. Don't be surprised if the answers are not the same.

• May I have the vehicle inspected by a licensed technician? If you want quickly filter out the dishonest sellers, ask if a Lemon Proof inspector can inspect the vehicle!
• Has the vehicle been in any accidents or has it been repainted?Learn the techniques to spot accident damage with our 'Spot A Lemon' workshop
• Is the vehicle in the seller's name?(Ask for ID) Always make sure that the true owner is there to write and sign any contracts. Do yourself a favour, don't misrepresent the true price of the vehicle. You may save on the taxes now but if you have to make an insurance claim later your compensation may not reflect the vehicle's true value.
• Is the vehicle emission tested or certified? If not, ask if the emission test and certification be carried out at a shop of your choice. Remember certification is based on minimum requirements. Your vehicle may still require expensive repairs shortly after purchase. Lemon Proof always makes buyers aware of the current condition of brakes and tires and estimates remaining life expectancy of these parts.
• Is there a used vehicle information package or U.V.I.P? Although seller is not obligated to show this, you can always run the Vehicle Identification Number(VIN) at your local Ministry of Transportation for only $20.00.
• Why are they selling the vehicle?This is a 50/50 chance you'll get the right answer. No matter the answer, don't take the word of the seller. They will tell you whatever they need to to make the sale. Answers you will not hear... the vehicle is a pig on gas... it keeps breaking down on me... it's due for a lot of maintenance... it needs an expensive repair... it's been hit and I no longer feel safe driving in it.
• Ask to see all, if any, maintenance and repair receipts. I tell all my clients, if there is no proof of services or repairs, they have not been done. Always allocate $1000.00 of your total budget for maintenance and repairs.

What to look for:

• Paint colour and texture, paint over-spray. Look for signs of these on headlights, bumpers, suspension parts, wheel wells.
• Alignment of body panels, or pin striping. Have they been moved or adjusted?
• Moldings missing or loose. Give them a shake, a pull, a tap. Make sure they are not glued in place.
• Do all four tires match?This is especially important on All Wheel Drive(AWD) vehicles and could lead to premature failure of key drive train components with mismatched tires.
• Does V.I.N. number match? Ownership, door & windshield.
• Look for maintenance stickers, are they up to date or past due?This can be a good indication of how well or often the vehicle has been serviced.
• Does the vehicle drive in reverse? Most people forget to test drive in reverse. Make sure you find a safe place and drive/maneuver the vehicle in reverse.
• Are there any fluid leaks under the vehicle?Park the vehicle in an area that is free of stains. When moved, make sure there is no evidence left behind.
• Are there signs of neglect under the hood? Corroded battery terminals, or obvious signs of damage or leaks.
• Check fluid colours: Familiarize yourself with engine/transmission oil, brake fluid, etc and their colours.

Special Note: If you are considering leaving a deposit on a vehicle, make sure that it is conditional on 'Lemon Proof's Approval', or 'A Mechanic's Inspection'.

Without clauses like these, you will not be entitled to a full refund of your deposit or have the choice to negotiate the final price of the vehicle.

For a better understanding and more tips like the ones above, consider taking the 'Spot A Lemon' workshop!

http://www.LemonProof.com

BUYERS BEWARE

I have decided to start posting pictures of some of the vehicles people are trying to sell that should never see the road!

This is a 1995 Firefly....looks good right??

After lifting the vehicle this is what I found........even after telling the seller exactly what I do, he allowed me to continue the inspection and take these pictures.

What you are seeing is the actual structure of the vehicle. Someone with absolutely no welding skill tried to repair some kind of accident damage by attempting to weld the wrong gauge steel to rust. Believe it or not this vehicle is already CERTIFIED!!!

This is a 2004 Intrepid. Seller said, 'it is mint and was barely winter driven'.

Body looks good....

Look at the condition of the exhaust, power steering line and rocker covers.

Looks like this vehicle was winter driven to me.......

Here's a 2004 Honda Civic Si. This vehicle was in an accident. The seller was honest enough to tell me yet shocked to learn what I found...... He had paperwork to show that all these repairs were supposedly done.

This is an airbag sensor that has been reused despite the fact that it is broken.

If that isn't bad enough, look at the crack on the transmission case. They figured a little JB Weld would remedy this damage......

To top it all off, how is this for a ground? Not only is the connection not secure, it is grounded to plastic!!!!

Look closely and you'll see in the background a temperature sensor that was also damaged but reused.

Here is a 1995 Neon, the seller was also disturbed by the quality of repair to her brake lines. As these pictures show, the lines were repaired with pressure fittings rather than a flare fitting.

These type of fittings are designed for low pressures. If you were to slam on the brakes in a panic stop, you could blow the lines right out of the fittings disabling your complete braking system!!!

I cannot emphasize how dangerous and irresponsible this repair is.

2001 Dodge Caravan:Here we go again. This is the vehicle that inspired me to offer my new service of repair verification. It was purchased from a body shop.

The following pictures depict what I would consider horrific wire repair procedures.

This client called me after they were charged for repairs that seemed to have remedied their complaint..... except for when it rained.

The damage to these wires, I'm assuming by the evident body work, was caused my some kind of accident. Looking at the body repair again, I am assuming that the repairs to this harness were done by the same body shop.

The reason the symptoms returned in the rain is because of the lack of insulation to the connections. Keep in mind that this is the wheel well and in wet conditions water would be constantly splashing around. Eventually soaking the harness causing them to short.

I am not going to comment on the body work. The pictures say enough!!!

I will say this, I would not have recommended this vehicle with repairs like this....

How was your experience with Lemon Proof?

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Feel free to share any bad experiences before our services and tell us what you've learned.

Remember to check out the site for more information:http://www.LemonProof.com