™VideoHow to buy a car
Tips for Buying a Used Car
By Consumer Reports
Why Camille picked it: A short checklist video: research, inspection and a test drive before you talk numbers.
Label: Editorial pick
Camille’s Garage Guide
Buying Smarts
What to know before you buy a car.
From the first search to the signature. Each topic has Camille’s short take and the best outside guides, reviews and official tools we found.
Topics are in the order people search for them most. Buying topics are ordered by search suggestions only; we have no search volume figures for them yet.
How to buy a car
Camille says: Get the car inspected by someone who works for you, not the seller. Read every page before you sign.
VideoHow to buy a car
Buying a Used Car: Consumer Tips
By Federal Trade Commission
Why Camille picked it: The government’s own short video on the Buyers Guide sticker and what it tells you.
Label: Editorial pick
VideoHow to buy a car
How to Check Used Car Before Buying: DIY Inspection
By Scotty Kilmer
Why Camille picked it: A walk-around you can do yourself before paying for an independent inspection.
Label: Editorial pick
ArticleHow to buy a car
Know Before You Buy: tips before buying or leasing
By National Automobile Dealers Association
Why Camille picked it: The dealer trade group’s own consumer checklist. Good to see what dealers expect you to ask.
Label: Editorial pick
ArticleHow to buy a car
A guide to buying a new car
By Car and Driver
Why Camille picked it: A long read on the steps of a new-car purchase, from research to signing.
Label: Editorial pick
ArticleHow to buy a carMay require subscription
How to buy a car in today’s market
By Consumer Reports
Why Camille picked it: Practical advice for a market with less stock and more add-ons.
Label: Editorial pick
HubHow to buy a car
Buying and leasing advice
By MotorTrend
Why Camille picked it: A running collection of buying and leasing explainers.
Label: Editorial pick
PodcastHow to buy a car
Car Dealership Guy Podcast
By Car Dealership Guy
Why Camille picked it: Interviews with people who run dealerships. Made for the trade, so you hear the other side.
Label: Editorial pick
PodcastHow to buy a car
All episodes
By Car Dealership Guy
Why Camille picked it: The full episode list, if you want to pick by topic.
Label: Editorial pick
PodcastHow to buy a car
How to Buy a Reliable Used Car (Talking Cars #452)
By Consumer Reports
Why Camille picked it: CR’s testers talk through reliable used picks and what to check. Video podcast.
Label: Editorial pick
Best time to buy & reviews
Camille says: Shortlist two or three models with safety ratings first. Then compare offers in writing.
ArticleBest time to buy & reviews
When is the best time to buy a car?
By Car and Driver
Why Camille picked it: Looks at month-end, year-end and model-year changeovers in plain terms.
Label: Editorial pick
ReviewBest time to buy & reviews
10Best Cars, Trucks, and SUVs for 2026
By Car and Driver
Why Camille picked it: An editors’ shortlist to start research. A review, not a recommendation for your budget.
Label: Editorial pick
ReviewBest time to buy & reviews
2026 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2026 Honda CR-V: Hybrid SUV Battle
By MotorTrend Channel
Why Camille picked it: A side-by-side test of two popular hybrids, useful if they are on your list.
Label: Editorial pick
ToolBest time to buy & reviews
Vehicle safety ratings
By Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Why Camille picked it: Crash test results by model. Check any car you are considering.
Label: Editorial pick
ToolBest time to buy & reviews
Find and compare cars by fuel economy
By U.S. DOE and EPA
Why Camille picked it: Official mileage figures for side-by-side comparisons.
Label: Editorial pick
Car loans
Camille says: Get a loan quote from your bank or credit union before you visit. Then you can compare the dealer’s offer.
ArticleCar loans
Auto loans: tools and guides
By Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Why Camille picked it: Government guides on comparing loan offers before you visit the dealer.
Label: Editorial pick
ArticleCar loans
What can I negotiate when shopping for a car or auto loan?
By Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Why Camille picked it: Lists what is open to discussion: price, rate, term, trade-in and add-ons.
Label: Editorial pick
Trade-in value
Camille says: Treat the trade-in as its own deal. Get a written offer for it separately from the new car.
VideoTrade-in value
How 1 in 5 Trade-Ins Is Hiding a Cleared Check Engine Light
By Car Dealership Guy
Why Camille picked it: An industry view on cleared codes, and why a used-car scan matters.
Label: Editorial pick
VIN checks
Camille says: Run the VIN through the free official checks before you pay for a report.
ToolVIN checks
Vehicle history information
By VehicleHistory.gov (NMVTIS)
Why Camille picked it: The government’s list of approved title-history providers.
Label: Editorial pick
ToolVIN checks
VINCheck
By National Insurance Crime Bureau
Why Camille picked it: A free check for theft and total-loss records on a VIN.
Label: Editorial pick
ToolVIN checks
Check for recalls
By NHTSA
Why Camille picked it: Enter a VIN to see open safety recalls before you buy.
Label: Editorial pick
Extended warranties
Camille says: A service contract is optional. Ask what it covers, who pays claims, and whether you can cancel.
VideoExtended warranties
Are extended car warranties worth it?
By Consumer Reports
Why Camille picked it: Questions to ask before you add a service contract.
Label: Editorial pick
Certified pre-owned
Camille says: Ask who certified the car, the maker or the dealer, and get the inspection checklist.
VideoCertified pre-owned
5 Reasons to Consider a Certified Pre-Owned Car
By Consumer Reports
Why Camille picked it: What certified usually covers, and what to confirm in writing.
Label: Editorial pick
ArticleCertified pre-ownedMay require subscription
The truth about certified pre-owned cars
By Consumer Reports
Why Camille picked it: How maker-certified and dealer-certified programs differ.
Label: Editorial pick
Lease vs. buy
Camille says: Ask for the mileage limit, the wear rules and the total you pay over the term, all in writing.
VideoLease vs. buy
Should You Buy or Lease a New Car?
By Consumer Reports
Why Camille picked it: A short side-by-side of what changes when you lease instead of buy.
Label: Editorial pick
ArticleLease vs. buy
Leasing vs. buying a car
By Car and Driver
Why Camille picked it: Lays out the terms you will see on a lease offer, in plain English.
Label: Editorial pick
Camille’s picks are chosen by AutoFairly™ editors and link to the original source. No affiliate or sponsored links. Not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any brand, publisher or creator shown. Brand names are trademarks of their owners. Videos play in YouTube’s official privacy-enhanced player and load only when you press play. Some sources may require a subscription.