News 12 at 6 O'Clock, March 8, 2010

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Carrie Gould's 1996 Dodge Caravan is stuck in a parking space. It was bought in January for $2500. Now, it will start, but it won't drive.

"It started making a humming noise," she said.

The car lot says the problems are Carrie's fault, not theirs. But no matter who's to blame, the story of used cars leading to unhappy customers isn't uncommon.

"A lot of the time, they have to pay to get the repair done," said C&C Automotive mechanic Aaron Clements.

"You can't afford a motor or transmission," said Gould. "You're on a fixed income, so I can't afford to get this car fixed."

But you can avoid those nightmares. Start with asking to get the car inspected before you buy. The check-up can run between $75 and $125. But that money spent could save you.

"I see most people make money on a pre-purchase inspection," adds Clements. "It puts the seller and the buyer on an equal playing field."

And if a dealer denies you a chance to take the car to someone else -- put the plans to buy in park. Don't let the dealer inspect it for you.

Said Clements: "That wouldn't be an unbiased inspection."

You can also get a vehicle history report. Clements says it's a good idea, but those reports don't always include all accident information.

Here are the words you should remember for used cars: "As is". In Georgia and South Carolina, if a contract doesn't tell you about a warranty, there isn't one. So you would be responsible for any repair.

Read your contract carefully.