Today we’re going to talk about  “green flags” & “red flags” when buying a car so that you can make a wise, reliable purchase. Whether you buy a car with MATS or at another source, here are some key indicators to look out for:

(1) We say constantly, but consider the source! Are you buying from a trustworthy seller? Have other people had a good experience? Positive reviews are a green flag! 

(2) Does the vehicle have a clean Carfax? Ensure the car hasn’t been in any major accidents, hasn’t suffered flood or fire damage, and doesn’t have a salvaged title. Those are all major red flags, which could impact the safety of the vehicle. If the car has minor damage, that’s typically not a problem. (Minor damage example: car door hit by a shopping cart.)

(3) Does the vehicle have rust? While some surface rust on older vehicles is normal, rust on the frame or undercarriage could signal serious structural issues. Rust can weaken the vehicle’s structure and lead to expensive repairs. You’d be surprised at how many places to try to hide rust issues! 

(4) Unwillingness to let you inspect the car is another red flag. They may be trying to hide issues that a professional mechanic could reveal. The green-flag is not only allowing an inspection, but including a free warranty! Dealerships that offer warranties, like MATS, are confident in the quality of their cars. So look for places that don’t sell “as-is” cars and instead back up their work.

(5) Another red flag that most people mistake as a green flag is a “good deal”. Now I’ve talked about this at length before in other videos. Buying a car is perhaps the only time when you want to avoid a “deal”. A fair price, aligned with the car’s condition and market trends, is a good sign. If the price is too low, it may be a red flag. A slightly higher-than-average price could be a good thing, indicating that the car is in good condition. While a good deal is tempting, “too good to be true” often is when it comes to cars.

At MATS, we only operate with green flags! Our number one goal is to help YOU buy the least-risky car given your budget and parameters. We use car-buying experts to help you find the best vehicle to fit your needs – GREEN FLAG. We only buy vehicles from our 5 trusted sources – GREEN FLAG. We back up our work with a 30-day, 50-50 warranty – GREEN FLAG. Follow the green flags, avoid the red, and you’ll drive off with peace of mind!