There are still thousands of used cars in New Jersey and other states that could provide the right combination of affordable pricing and features similar to many new cars, but buyers should know what they are getting into, as owners treat their cars differently.

When it comes to used cars, it may require some research to ensure that you don’t have to turn an automotive lemon into lemonade, but as visitors at a Virginia mall recently found out, appearances can be deceiving.

What happened

Used cars in New Jersey and other vicinities can be sold even after the car has been in an accident, and to some car buyers, the difference between a vehicle that has been well-repaired and one with no body damage may not be apparent to the naked eye.

Good Morning America recently decided to test the appraisal skills of prospective car owners by lining up five used cars at a shopping center. Four were completely clean, and one had been repaired after an accident.

The show’s hosts found that only one in five passersby were able to identify the car that had work done on it, with one collision expert spotting the bumper attached differently than standard procedure and other small discrepancies.

It confirms that “consumers don’t have the experience that people like Carfax and mechanics have with used cars,” said Carfax spokesman Larry Gamache, according to the report.

How you can avoid the same issue

Of course, Larry Gamache says that a vehicle history report like the one offered by his firm can offer an initial benefit to buyers of used cars in New Jersey by giving them the vehicle’s history, including numbers of previous owners and any reported service history.

The editors at Edmunds.com agree that a Carfax report or similar style vehicle history can provide information about the odometer reading, salvage title if the car has been in a catastrophic event, and other information to help buyers understand what they are getting themselves into.

They also recommend finding an experienced mechanic to look over the vehicle prior to one’s purchase. This can be particularly important if one does not live near the seller and is trying to take advantage of regional differences in prices, but wants to ensure that the car will operate as advertised.

For the research-oriented

Learning how to identify potential problems in a car can save anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars on the price of an inspection by an experienced mechanic to several thousand dollars if a driver has to write off the cost of used car in New Jersey.

Signs of wear such as dings, paint scratches or rust may point to deeper underlying conditions that could affect the cost of used vehicles, notes Investopedia. If the dealership or auction site allows it, a test drive on a variety of roads can give a driver the sense of how the car will operate when it’s not on smooth pavement.

Reputable dealers will often offer vehicle history information and the chance to inspect used cars in New Jersey and other states before a purchase is finalized. If a consumer feels that they have been taken for a ride however, the local better business bureau may have information about state lemon laws and be able to provide other assistance.