23/05/2019 How to take (less of) a risk on a used car For most people, buying a used car comes with a fair amount of risk. There's a reason why car manufacturers rarely offer warranties beyond three years – a car's complexity means that regardless of manufacturing quality, or care taken by the driver, things can and will go wrong after a while. How wrong they'll go is the question. Many drivers find their cars last for years, with only minor repairs required, while others face huge bills after catastrophic mechanic or electrical failure, even when all signs pointed to the cars being reliable. There is much of this that is simply unpredictable, it's the reality of owning a used car, But there are a few things you can do to help you avoid choosing a lemon. 1. AVOID BUYING A CAR PRIVATELY Unless you're a mechanic with the skills to inspect (and repair) cars, it's wise to avoid buying your used car from...