Buying a used sedan can be a good way to save money on reliable transportation — if you zero in on the right details. This laser focus includes confirming the car’s condition, understanding its history, and making sure the price reflects what you’re buying. A solid used sedan should be mechanically sound, free of major accident or flood damage, and priced fairly for its age, mileage, and trim.

Below is what to look for in a used sedan:

Start with the paperwork and vehicle history

Before you fall in love with how a sedan looks or drives, verify its background. A vehicle history report is your first filter.

Obtain a report from CARFAX or AutoCheck to learn about its accident history, title type (salvage, rebuilt, flood, lemon), odometer issues, and prior use, which could have been as a rental or fleet car. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) also collects title data from states and insurers, making it a useful cross-check.

Confirm that the VIN on the report matches the VIN on the dashboard, door jamb, and title. Any mismatch is a red flag. In a private sale, the seller’s name should match the title; if it doesn’t, walk away.

Maintenance records matter, too. Regular oil changes, documented major services, and completed recalls reduce risk. Spotty or missing records shouldn’t automatically kill a deal, but they should lower what you’re willing to pay.

Inspect the exterior and body carefully

A sedan can look fine at a glance and still hide expensive problems. Walk around the car and look down each side for waves, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps, or overspray that suggest past body repairs.

Rust deserves special attention, especially in older vehicles or cars from snow-belt states. Surface rust on bolts is normal, but heavy corrosion on rocker panels, wheel arches, the underbody, or suspension components can be structural, which is a deal breaker.

Give the tires a once-over as well. They should be the same brand and size on each axle (if not the whole car), with even tread wear. Uneven wear can indicate alignment or suspension issues that can add cost after purchase.

Check the interior, electronics, and safety systems

The condition of what’s inside the cabin tells a story. Excessive seat wear, torn carpets, water stains, or moldy smells can indicate leaks or neglect.

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, mirrors, lights, infotainment, HVAC, seat adjustments, and sunroof. Electrical problems are frustrating and are generally costly to diagnose.

Confirm that all safety systems appear to be functioning, especially driver-assistance systems like cameras and radar. Airbag, ABS, and warning lights should illuminate briefly at startup and then turn off. Seat belts should retract properly, and essentials like the horn, wipers, and defrosters should work as intended.

Do a thorough test drive — with the radio off

A proper test drive is where many bad cars reveal themselves. Always start the engine “cold.” It should turn over easily, idle smoothly, and not produce excessive smoke or have strong fuel or oil smells.

Listen closely during idle, acceleration, cruising, and deceleration. Knocking, ticking, whining, or rattling noises are warning signs. The engine should respond promptly to gentle and firm acceleration without hesitation, surging, or misfires.

Pay attention to the transmission, too. Automatics and continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) should operate smoothly and predictably, without harsh bangs, high-pitched whines, long delays, or RPM flares (where the engine revs but the car doesn’t accelerate). With a manual transmission, the clutch should move between gears cleanly without grinding or popping out.

When traveling on straightaways between 30 and 60 mph, a sedan shouldn’t need much in the way of steering correction. If you hit bumps, listen for clunks or rattles and watch for excessive bouncing, which can indicate worn shocks or bushings. The car’s braking should be smooth, with no squealing, grinding, or steering wheel vibration.

Lastly, see if the dealer will allow a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic (preferably one you’ve used before). Anything they find can be of use as you begin to haggle over pricing.

Research and negotiate the right price

Compare the asking price with market values for the same year, mileage, and trim, then adjust for condition, tires, options, and any repairs you know the car needs. To determine the vehicle’s worth, you can search Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds.

Before signing on the dotted line, review the contract carefully. Confirm the VIN, mileage, sale price, and title transfer details are correct, and be cautious about unnecessary add-ons that increase the total cost without adding real value.

Not sure about financing?

Before you head over to the dealership, it’s a good idea to find out what maximum monthly payment you might qualify for. You can learn that by going through the pre-qualification process on the Credit Acceptance website. Once the pre-qual is complete, you’ll also receive an email with a list of approved dealerships in your local area. If none of them have the sedan you’re looking for, Credit Acceptance has over 15,000 dealerships in our network.