Uncovering Too Good to Be True Car Ads

When you start looking at car ads, one of the first things you'll probably notice is descriptions of cars that are a bit lackluster. Perhaps the description doesn't match the photo or vice versa. What you have to watch out for, however, is those car ads that try to sell a car as better than it is. These ads can really throw you for a loop and convince even careful car buyers that a clunker is a piece of gold. 

But how can you uncover these too-good-to-be-true ads? Here are a few tips to protect yourself from some pain and suffering:

Be leery of over-the-top mpg claims. If the ad says the car will provide you with a higher than is realistic mpg, it's probably either a lie or a gross misrepresentation of the truth. Honestly, the car might have been capable of this mpg at one point—when it was brand new—but it's unlikely it can live up to these claims anymore. This same caution can be used for brand new cars. Those commercials might tell you it has a certain mpg, but it's only capable of it under very specific circumstances and driving conditions. 

You might also notice some ads claiming the car, which is twenty years old, looks brand new. While this may be the case, don't let a fresh paint job fool you. The only way to tell if a car is truly "like new" is if it runs like new. And you won't be able to find that out until you see it in person and go for a test drive. When following up on vehicles you potentially want to buy, try to limit the number you view based on the "like new" claims. This could save you some time and disappointment when you go see the car and realize, while the leather interior is in great condition, the engine makes a clunking noise!

You should also be on the lookout for ads that make promises no one could possibly keep. If it states that if you buy the car, you'll have it for years to come, you might want to raise an eyebrow. Or, if the ad suggests that the car will improve your life somehow, it's probably best to look elsewhere. Typically, people that try to jazz up their ads with false claims or over-the-top statements are trying to compensate for something that's wrong with the vehicle. 

Stick to ads that offer information about the car in a straightforward way. It should have a picture and include relevant details. Anything that goes too much beyond this is likely a sales pitch, and those can just end in heartache.