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Buying a used car can come with a lot of headaches and problems if you don’t approach the sale cautiously. While many used car sales are fair, some are not. Car industry experts recommend that you approach every used car sale as if it could be a scam.

However, don’t let this scare you off from purchasing a used car. With a little knowledge and some car inspection, you can make sure that you are purchasing a used car that won’t cause you problems. Here’s a look at some things you should do before handing over the cash for a used car.

Conduct an Exterior Exam

You should always conduct an exterior exam of the used car you wish to purchase. Look for things like a recent paint job, bubbled paint, scratches or dents. These are usually a sign that there could be other problems with the car.

Bring a Mechanic to the Car Exam

While you might be able to notice obvious problems like scratches and dents, most people do not know enough about cars to know about problems that are happening right under the hood. Although you’ll have to pay the mechanic to do a car exam, it could save you hundreds of dollars if the used car you are considering is a lemon.

Conducting an exterior exam and having a mechanic along for the ride while you purchase a used car will help ensure that you don’t end up purchasing a lemon and having to deal with all the problems that come along with purchasing a bad car.