When it comes to used car buying, one thing is for certain the used-car market changes from year to year.

Even though this market is constantly changing you still have a very good chance of getting a very good deal on a used car.

So, if you’ve really got your heart set on buying a used car here are a few guidelines when it comes to buying used cars that will help you understand used cars or vehicles you may want to avoid buying.

• Police cars – Fleet cars – Taxis
  Many times through advertisements you may see these types of vehicles going for what appears to be some very good prices. For the most part, these used cars have been fairly well maintained. But, where the good news ends. You see, these vehicles have probably been driven for brutally long hours and over thousands of miles. And not only that, they’ve been driven by people who don’t own them or who really have cared about them. As a result, although these used cars have been properly maintained, it still doesn’t detract from the fact that they are really ready for the pasture.

• Station Wagons
  Although you may not see too many station wagons in the used-car market these days there still is one consideration that you should think of before buying this type of used car. This type of vehicle and sometimes represent the type of vehicle used by people such as sales people that travel a tremendous amount of miles. So, if you’re looking at a used car station wagon type, be sure to have it completely checked out by a trusted mechanic.

• Used Trucks or Commercial Vans
  With these types of used cars or vehicles you want to make sure that you thoroughly check out the suspension and transmission. Just by the nature of these types of used cars they may have been used to haul heavy loads over many miles.

• Models that are no longer in production
  With models that are no longer in production the concern can be are there still parts available. So, if the used car you’re looking to buy is no longer manufactured or in production, you’ll want to make sure that at least when it was in production it was a widely sold unit. For the most part these days obtaining parts or used cars isn’t a problem, but you should make a note of this.

• Used cars that may have had modifications
  If there has been some type of major mechanical surgery on a used car you’re looking to buy, be sure to find out from the owner just went wrong with the original equipment; and beyond that make sure that you have this type of used car thoroughly checked out by a trusted mechanic. Also keep in mind you’ll want to ask the mechanic if by replacing the old part were there any other parts that are now affected by this new car or modification to this used car.

• Sports Cars
  This type of used vehicle can also fall under the previous category as far as modifications are concerned. Many sports car owners do in fact make modifications to their car in order to enhance the performance. Sometimes the addition of such modifications can put undue stress and strain on the transmission and drive train. So buyer beware if you’re thinking about buying a used car that is a sports car.

• Vary new used cars
  A used car that is actually still very new in terms of shelf life, should raise a bit of a caution flag for you. By that I mean that unless this was a previously leased vehicle that has been simply returned after a one or two-year lease has come up; that this car may have been wrecked or is some type of lemon. Hence the reason it is back on the used-car lot so rapidly. So question the used-car salesman or the owner very precisely when it comes to a new used car.

• Old vehicles with very low mileage
  Well… I had to put this one in here simply because unless you happen to personally know the “little old lady” that only drove this used car to church on Sundays, I would take a pass on buying this used car… the odometer may have been turned back.

• A car that has been in a wreck
  I personally would just stay away from this one. Even though the car may have been repaired, it is still possible that there is damage to this used car that is not currently visible, or you are able to feel when driving. You won’t really know how much of this used car was actually repaired and what parts were either filled with body putty or welded. And you won’t know the quality of such workmanship… only finding out when the spot welds and the body putty begins to fail.

These are just a few of the types of used cars that you may want to avoid buying if you are indeed considering buying a used car.

The key of course to experiencing good success when it comes to buying a used car is to simply take your time and check out all of your available resources that may have information for you regarding this used car.

With all of the online resources for used car buying you should be able to eliminate the types of cars that may potentially cause you headaches down the road.