Buying a used car can be a great way to save money – but only if you choose the right car.
It is important for buyers to see if the car has been maintained and how soon it will need repairs. But here’s another detail to consider: whether or not the used car model has recalls. Recalls are issued when a vehicle or a piece of its equipment has a safety hazard or does not meet federal safety standards, and a recall check allows you to verify whether the model has current recalls. Taking this small step can end up saving you money down the road, and keep you safe.
Why recall checks are important before buying a used car
Used cars are cheaper than new ones when you look at the purchase price. However, those same cars can be more expensive than newer models if they require significant repairs and regular maintenance.
A recall is issued when a vehicle, part, tire or equipment has a safety defect or does not meet federal safety standards, so it’s not something to be taken lightly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires manufacturers to repair, replace or refund the returned model free of charge.
Even if the car looks like it’s in good shape, it may be able to restore one of its parts. Buyers who do not do proper maintenance can end up with a car that sucks money. The risk of recall is actually quite common. Carfax found that 57.7 million vehicles in the US have safety recalls by 2024. That’s one in five cars.
How to use the NHTSA recall check
You can use NHTSA’s recall lookup tool to determine if there has been a recall for the vehicle you are considering. This tool will require the 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN).
You can ask the dealer for this number, but it is also usually visible in the lower left corner of the windshield. The VIN may also be located on the driver’s side door jamb label. A license plate is sometimes sufficient for this search.
This tool will not tell you if the car has been in an accident, has been poorly maintained or has a mechanical problem. You’ll still need other tools to help with your research, but the NHTSA lookup tool will contain information about recalls from the past 15 calendar years, partial safety recalls and other important information.
What to do if the car has an open recall
Recalls are not a shortcut as you can get recall repairs done for free, even if you are not the original owner of the car. However, you should know the seriousness of the defect and that it is a problem that may affect other parts of the car in the future. Buyers should also check the availability of repair parts. It’s usually easier to repair a regular car with readily available parts than an exotic model that doesn’t have many repair shops.
You can also ask the seller to take advantage of the recall and fix the car before closing the deal. Buyers can use the recall as a bargaining point to get a lower price on the car. But remember that serious safety issues including brakes, steering, airbags, seat belts, fire hazard or power failure should be avoided, regardless of the deal.
Even after buying a car, it’s a good idea to do a recall check. NHTSA recommends checking for recalls twice a year and using the SaferCar app for alerts. You can also follow these steps with your current car.
Recalls are just one part of evaluating whether a used car is right for you. Money’s car buying guide covers the steps you can take to prepare to buy a car and how to compare different cars.
