Before you buy any used car, get a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) done by an independent mechanic — NOT the seller's shop.

Here's why it matters:

A PPI usually costs $100-$200. Skipping it is how people end up buying a car with a cracked head gasket, a flood-damaged frame, or a transmission that's about to fail — repairs that can run $3,000-$8,000+.

What a good PPI checks:

• Frame and undercarriage for rust, damage, or signs of a prior accident

• Fluid leaks (oil, transmission, coolant)

• Engine compression and any check-engine codes

• Brakes, suspension, and tire wear patterns

• Evidence of flood damage (musty smell, water lines, corroded wiring)

Red flags that should make you walk away:

• Seller refuses to let you get an independent PPI

• Mismatched paint or panel gaps (sign of accident repair)

• A clean title but the VIN history shows a salvage or rebuilt record

A PPI won't catch everything, but it catches the expensive stuff — and it gives you real leverage to negotiate the price down if issues turn up.

If you want a full breakdown of exactly what to check (and how to read a vehicle history report the right way), we go step-by-step inside CarSavvy Academy.