If you find a car that looks promising, call the seller. Many times all it takes is one call to know if the lead is a good one or not. Find out as much as you can about the car on the phone before you even ask to see it. You don't want to waste your time test-driving a car that's not up to your standards.

In general, you want to find out about the used car's condition and history. Many buyers look for one-owner cars that have service records and repair receipts.

Here are some types of questions you can ask the seller:

• What's the condition of the car?
• How many miles are on it?
• How is it equipped?
• Are you its original owner?
• Has it ever been in an accident?
• Do you have service records?
• Why are you selling the car?

If you like what you hear about the car over the phone, set up an appointment to see the car during the daytime. Go on a long test-drive and get a good idea of how well it handles in a variety of driving conditions. Think about your comfort level as well. Because you're test-driving a used car, you'll need to pay attention to all aspects of driving. It's best to drive with the radio off so you can notice if there is any engine noise.

Once under way, there are a few things you can ask yourself:

• Does the transmission shift smoothly?
• If you're driving a manual, does the clutch fully engage before you take your foot off the pedal?
• How well do the brakes work? Does the car pull?
• How is the alignment? Does the car drift to the left or right?
• Do you notice any shuddering, vibrating, rattles or squeaks?
• How does it handle while driving uphill?
• Perform some turning maneuvers on a side street. What is the turning radius like?
• Are there any blind spots?
• Drive over bumps and dips. How is the suspension?
• Now get on the highway. Does it have the acceleration you need?
• Does the cruise control work?

While you're driving, think about comfort:

• Does the seat offer plenty of support?
• Do you have ample leg and head room?

Check out more test-drive checkpoints in our used vehicle inspection guide.

Before you go to the expense of having the car professionally inspected, look at it yourself and make sure it's worth the investment. Check out the exterior of the car:

• Do a thorough walk around and look for scratches, dings and rust.
• Make sure the doors, hood and trunk seal well and evenly align with the surface of the car.
• Look for differences in color on the panels and paint on the rubber seals around body openings. These are signs the car may have undergone body repair work or been repainted.

Take a look at the tires:

• See if tread wear is even on all four tires. If not, they may not have been rotated regularly.
• Make sure the tires have enough tread on them to be safe. (This could be a negotiating point if the car will need new tires soon.)
• Make sure there isn't a mix of brands or sizes on the same axle.

Open the trunk:

• Sniff for a mildew smell and look for signs of water leakage.
• Check the condition of the spare tire. Make sure the jack and other tools are there.

Look under the hood:

• Check for signs of leaking fluids, battery corrosion, damaged wires or cracked hoses.
• Check all the fluids—are they at the correct levels? The engine oil should be a smooth dark brown or black. Transmission fluid should be pinkish and smell like oil.
• If the engine is completely cool, remove the radiator cap and look at the color of the coolant. If you see a layer of oily film or what appears to be rust, there could be a problem. (Don't confuse rust with orange coolant. Many newer vehicles use orange coolant instead of green coolant.)

Look under the car with a flashlight:

• Look for signs of oil leaks, coolant or rust.
• Check out the condition of the different parts. If you see any pristine sections, then the car may have been repaired.
• Inspect the condition of the tailpipe. It shouldn't be overly black and greasy or heavily rusted.

Inspect the interior of the car:

• Try every function, from electric windows and locks to the sunroof to lights. Play the radio and tape or CD player if there is one.
• Study the upholstery for wear and tear or sagging.

Check the car's history:

• Purchase a vehicle history report. You can learn about title information and whether it has ever been salvaged, damaged or reported stolen. You'll need to provide the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to conduct the search, so ask the owner for it.
• Ask to see the title and compare the VIN on the title to the number on the car to make sure they're the same. (The VIN is located on the dashboard under the windshield on the driver's side.)

Find out more walk-around checkpoints in our used vehicle inspection guide.

If you're sure you want to purchase this car, now's the time to call in the professional to inspect it. Of course, you should stipulate to the seller that the sale is contingent upon the inspection.

Some of the things an inspector should check out are:

• General mechanics
• Body work, including paint and frame
• Odometer fraud
• Proper trim options and features

• If you're planning on buying a used car from a dealership and already have a car, decide whether to sell your car yourself or trade it in. If you sell it yourself, you may make more money on the transaction. Read our tips on how to sell your car before you make your decision.

  If you're ready to sell your car, you can place an online ad on uscarland.com. You get to post photos, give a detailed description of your car and even edit your ad later.

  If you're less concerned about making money and are ready to get rid of it, trade it in. Either way, it's a good idea to tell the salesperson that you're not sure what you're going to do with your current car yet. Focus on negotiating a fair price on the car you're buying before you address questions about trade-in, financing or down payments.

  Before you sell your car or trade it in, find out what it's worth. Our car values page can help you with your asking price. Remember, what you get from trade-in will likely be a little lower.

• If you're buying from a dealership, you may decide to go with dealer-arranged financing. But comparing outside loans first ensures you get the best deal and gives you room to negotiate.

  Start with your bank or credit union, and then go online. There are plenty of websites that offer loan information. Our loan resource,Capital One Auto Finance®, can respond to your online application within 15 minutes and send you a Blank Check® as soon as the next day.

  A good tip to remember is to put as much cash down as possible. Starting with a lower principal balance will do more to lower your payments than any great rate.

Before you talk price, know what the used car is worth.

• If the car needs work, show the seller your mechanic's receipt to prove how much it will cost you.
• Make sure your first offer is lower than your established spending limit.
• Let the seller know that you are ready to buy now.
• Once you name your offer, don't speak until the seller responds. It's amazing what the power of silence can do in negotiation.
• Decide ahead of time how high you're able to go. Be firm and don't budge unless you absolutely have to.
• If you're willing to move up from your first offer, do so in small increments.
• When you hit your maximum spending limit, tell the salesperson this is your final offer and that you can't go any higher. Don't be afraid to walk away. Hopefully, you won't have to.

Ask for a detailed receipt—a bill of sale—that states whether the vehicle is being sold with a warranty or "as is" along with the seller's contact info. Be sure you know what's required in your state to transfer title of the car.

Before you purchase your car, read our fraud awareness tips to learn how to spot a scam.

If you're buying from a dealership, keep the purchase price of the car separate from trade-in or financing. Settle on a fair price before you begin discussing the other. The salesperson can easily juggle the figures by offering a great deal on one end while recouping his loss on the other.