The Scout blog

• Prices and deals

  Is an Extended Warranty Worth It on a Used Car?

  Is an extended warranty worth it on a used car? How service contracts work, what they cost, the questions to ask, and when saving the money yourself wins.

• Buying guides

  Used Car Red Flags: 15 Warning Signs to Walk Away

  Learn the 15 used car red flags that should make you walk away, from title and VIN problems to flood damage, odometer fraud and pushy sales tactics.

• Inspection and paperwork

  The FTC Buyers Guide sticker: \"as is\" vs. warranty explained

  What the FTC Buyers Guide on a used car window means, how "as is" differs from implied and dealer warranties, and how to use the sticker to protect yourself.

• EVs and hybrids

  Buying a Used Hybrid: Battery Life, Savings and Best Picks

  Buying a used hybrid? Learn how long hybrid batteries last, what warranty may still apply, how to check the pack, and which used hybrids are worth a look.

• Model buying guides

  Used Jeep Wrangler Buying Guide: JK vs JL and What to Check

  Used Jeep Wrangler buying guide comparing JK and JL years, engines, death wobble, 4xe battery recalls and a checklist for spotting a well-kept Wrangler.

• Best used cars

  Best Used Compact SUVs: CR-V, RAV4, CX-5 and More

  Best used compact SUVs compared, including the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester and Hyundai Tucson, with generations and known issues.

• Prices and deals

  Dealer Add-Ons You Can Refuse: VIN Etching, Nitrogen and More

  Which dealer add-ons you can refuse on a used car, from VIN etching and nitrogen to paint protection and GAP, plus how to get them off the contract.

• Buying guides

  20 Questions to Ask a Used Car Dealer Before You Buy

  Ask a used car dealer these 20 questions about history, condition, price, fees, warranty and financing, and learn which answers should make you walk away.

• Inspection and paperwork

  Odometer fraud: how to spot a rolled-back odometer

  Learn how odometer fraud works on digital and mechanical gauges, the warning signs of a rolled-back odometer, and how to check mileage records before you buy.

• EVs and hybrids

  Used Tesla Model Y buying guide: best years and what to check

  A used Tesla Model Y buying guide covering 2020-2026 changes, the 2025 refresh, battery warranty, third-row option, recalls and an inspection checklist.

• Model buying guides

  Used Toyota Tacoma Buying Guide: Best Years and Problems

  Used Toyota Tacoma buying guide for 2005 to 2026 trucks covering generations, frame rust, recalls, transmission complaints and an inspection checklist.

• Best used cars

  Best Used Cars for Teen Drivers: Safety First

  The best used cars for teen drivers in 2026, based on the IIHS and Consumer Reports list, with picks under $10,000 and $20,000 and what to avoid.

• Prices and deals

  Used Car Depreciation: Which Cars Hold Value and Which Don't

  How used car depreciation works, which cars hold value best and worst after five years, and how to use depreciation to pay less and lose less when you sell.

• Buying guides

  Buying Your First Car: A Used Car Guide for First-Time Buyers

  Buying your first car? This used car guide for first-time buyers covers budget, credit, insurance, safe models, inspections and paperwork, step by step.

• Inspection and paperwork

  How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Used Car

  How to spot a flood-damaged used car: the smells, stains, rust and electrical clues to check, free VIN tools to use, and what to do if you suspect fraud.

• EVs and hybrids

  Used Tesla Model 3 buying guide: best years and what to check

  A used Tesla Model 3 buying guide covering 2017-2026 changes, battery warranty, heat pump and LFP years, recalls and a checklist before you buy.

• Model buying guides

  Used Honda Accord Buying Guide: Best Years and What to Check

  Used Honda Accord buying guide covering 2013 to 2026 generations, engines, the fuel pump recall, 1.5T oil dilution reports and a pre-purchase checklist.

• Best used cars

  Best Used Cars for College Students in 2026

  The best used cars for college students, with safe, reliable picks under $10,000 and $15,000, plus tips on insurance, theft risk, parking and costs.

• Prices and deals

  How Long Do Used Cars Sit on Dealer Lots? Why It Matters

  How long used cars sit on dealer lots in 2026, why cheap cars sell fastest, and how a car's days on the lot changes your leverage when you negotiate.

• Buying guides

  How Old a Used Car Should You Buy? Age vs. Mileage

  How old a used car should you buy? Compare 1-3, 4-7 and 8+ year-old cars on price, depreciation, warranty and safety tech, and learn when age beats mileage.

• Inspection and paperwork

  Salvage, Rebuilt and Flood Titles: What They Mean for Buyers

  Salvage, rebuilt and flood titles explained: what each brand means, how state rules differ, the effect on insurance, loans and resale, and when one is worth it.

• EVs and hybrids

  The used EV tax credit: what changed and what buyers should know

  The used EV tax credit ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. See who can still claim it, how it worked and what used EV buyers can do now.

• Model buying guides

  Used Honda Civic Buying Guide: Best Years and What to Check

  Used Honda Civic buying guide for 2006-2025 models, with the best years, 1.5L turbo vs. 2.0L, the engine block and oil dilution issues, recalls and a checklist.

• Best used cars

  Best Used Family Cars and Minivans in 2026

  The best used family cars and minivans, including the Odyssey, Sienna, Pacifica, Highlander and Camry, with model years, recalls and car-seat tips.

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