2. The Vehicle
You absolutely need to know everything you can about the vehicle- and not just the information given by the seller. In general, people are good and are not looking to get over on you. Still, there are some that are only concerned with themselves. As much as I would love to say that you can trust everyone, we all know that this is not true. You have to watch your own back.
Get the VIN, or the vehicle identification number, from the seller. This is a 17 digit number that is similar to a social security number. Each VIN is only intended for one vehicle, and that VIN keeps up with the history of the vehicle. With the VIN, you can learn about any accidents the car has been involved in, any work that has been registered, and more.
Have the seller take a photo of the VIN on the vehicle and send it to you so that there is no confusion of the numbers or letters of the VIN. It is typically in two places on the vehicle- under the front windshield and on the door jamb. You can then look that VIN up online and learn what you know about the car. You will need to pay for a vehicle report, but the cost is nothing compared to how much you might have to spend out if the car is a lemon. For legitimate reports, go through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System or Carfax.
You can also check the U.S. Department of Transportation with that VIN to determine if there have been any safety recalls of that vehicle. You can even check for common complaints of that vehicle type. Having the VIN is incredibly important to ensure that you get a good vehicle. Do not skip this step.