Transportation

1. What should I check for when buying a car?
Do your research and find the "blue book" price for the year and model of the car you are interested in buying. You can look the prices up online at www.kbb.com or www.edmunds.com. This is a standard amount assigned to that car to help you figure out what it's worth to car insurance companies.

Check the mileage of the car and condition of its parts under the hood. Do they look worn, old or weak? Do the tires still have a little tread on them (indentations in the pattern) or are they worn down? Ask about the maintenance care by the previous owner and if any big tune ups are around the corner. When is the last time the brakes were fixed? Find out if the car has been involved in an accident before and what the damage was.

2. How can I avoid paying more at a mechanic?
You can start protecting yourself by knowing your customer rights. In Washington State, you are entitled by law to:

1. a written estimate for repairs which will cost more than one hundred dollars, unless waived or absent face-to-face contact (see 4th item) You are entitled to receive an itemized written estimate for auto body repairs and, upon completion of repairs, a detailed invoice. The estimate and the invoice should include an itemized list of parts and labor, along with the total price for the work performed.
2. return or inspection of all replaced parts, if requested at time of repair authorization
3. authorize orally or in writing any repairs which exceed the estimated total presales tax cost by more than 10 percent
4. authorize any repairs orally or in writing if your vehicle is left with the repair facility without face-to-face contact between you and the repair facility personnel
5. If you have authorized a repair in accordance with the above information you are required to pay for the costs of the repair prior to taking the vehicle from the premises.