Old cars don't die, they just get resold. If you're buying a used car, whether from a dealer or someone who put an ad in the paper, you'll want to know as much about it as you can. Even without anyone trying to deceive you, the vehicle may have problems you can't see from a simple visual inspection or even a short test drive.

A vehicle history report prepared by a third party is one way to know what you're getting. Combining information from provincial DMVs as well as police reports and other sources, a vehicle history report can give you a comprehensive overview of where the car's been.

Here are some things to look for - or look out for - when you get a report on a vehicle. None of these things is necessarily a reason not to buy a car, but you shouldn't make a decision without asking about anything you see on a vehicle history:

• Many owners. The more garages a car's been in, the less likely it's been lovingly cared for all its life. Not everyone is as assiduous about car care as you are.  Former taxis, for example, will often have undergone a lot of abuse, although they tend to be quite inexpensive. The law does require that this material fact should be disclosed to you dealers know this private sellers may not be very careful 
• Location, location, location. Some parts of the country are more car-friendly than others. Winter storms (with their accompanying salted roads) can be rough on cars, as obviously can floods, excessive heat or even sea air. Cars that have been where these are common may have hidden damage.
• Name and description. Be sure the car in the report is the same as the car you're looking at. Carefully reviewing the vehicle description is one way to avoid various types of vehicle fraud, like VIN cloning. A cloned vehicle involves using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a legally owned, non-stolen vehicle to mask the identity of a similar make/model stolen vehicle. Vehicle History Reports include detailed descriptions of the vehicle, so you can make sure the car you're reading about is the same as the one you're looking at.
• Suspicious markings. Keep an eye out for records of body work that might indicate a prior unreported incident.

AUTO CHECK vehicle history reports provide car buyers quick access to the history of any used vehicle by leveraging Experian's National Vehicle Database of over half a billion vehicles to reveal possible undisclosed or unknown problems, such as salvage and flood damage history that can affect a vehicle's safety and resale value.

For starters, walk around the vehicle looking closely at the lines of the vehicle. Check to ensure spacing between body panels is the same and that the paint matches evenly. These are tell-tale signs of an accident. Next, open all the doors, hood, and trunk. Look on the inside of the door panels, inside the trunk, and down inside the engine compartment for paint lines, replaced parts, or overspray from painting. These are also signs of an accident.

While in the driver's seat, start and stop the engine more than once with the ignition key. Listen for any rough starting, rough idling, vibrations, other unusual noises or run-on after the engine is turned off. Anything out of the ordinary should be documented. If you live in an area that has varying climates during the day, ensure you try this during the most extreme time frame of the day. Once a list of symptoms is compiled, give it to your trusted mechanic.

When the car is running, move the gear shifter from park to drive, neutral, and reverse. Listen for any abnormal noises. If possible it is always best to bring someone with you who can listen from outside the car while you are testing it inside.

Slowly move the car and apply the brakes, listen for noise. You can also visually inspect the brakes and rotors to see if repairs may be needed. Inspect the tires to ensure tread depth and no visible signs of wear and tear or dry rot.

Lastly, drive the car at slow and fast speeds, ensuring you make turns to the left and right as you listen for abnormal noises.

If the radio is on, turn it off... If the person showing you the car turns it on to show you that, again, turn it off and check that separately when you are not testing the reliability of the vehicle.

Once you've assessed the pros and cons of the vehicle and see if it's worth investing your time and effort into. If repair costs outweigh the bargain price being offered, don't invest.

Assuming the vehicle has been serviced well at the required intervals, a car can usually run well into the 100's of thousands of kilometers. The more kms on the vehicle, the less it will be worth, but that doesn't mean it is a bad car.

Typically a good rule of thumb is 20,000-25,000 kms per year driven is normal. Be careful that you compare this to the in service date, or date when purchased. Many cars now are released well ahead of the calendar year change, however have the new year as the age. You very well could buy a current year model that was released in the previous year.

Anything under 20,000 per year usually adds to the value of the vehicle and over 30,000 detracts. If you’re buying a high mileage car make sure you get the car inspected by a mechanic or it comes with a warranty. Lastly, don't fall for the myth that they are all "highway" miles, while city driving is harder than highway driving on a car, you have no way of knowing how the previous owner drove that car on the highway.

If you buy a used vehicle, be cautious of the fact that certain gears and mechanisms may not run like new. This may cause added expenses down the road; but isn't it better to know what to expect now rather than being caught off-guard later? You can refurbish the insides, you can repaint the outsides; but know that you're still dealing with "used goods."

Unless you are paying cash for your vehicle a general rule of thumb is to consider cars and trucks no more than 5 to 6 years old. No matter what the bargain price now, you'll inevitably have to fork over more money in the future on repairs. Most used car shoppers look for vehicles between three and five years old, because they'll have a vehicle with only minor wear-and-tear, enough to enjoy a few trouble-free years. Also, the price has been significantly reduced, enough so that they'd consider buying a used version of that vehicle rather than a brand new model.

Keep in mind that production years and model years can differ from one another. For example, the redesigned Ford Focus is a new model for 2012, but it was introduced in the 2011 production year. To know exactly what year the used vehicle that you are considering came out, look for the first registration date in the car history report.

If you have inspected the car thoroughly and are sure it is up to par it is ok to buy an as-is car as long as you are getting a price that takes the risk into consideration. In other words, you pay for what you get.

It is ok to assume some moderate risk if the price is attractive, but remember what you parents told you "If it sounds to good to be true, it very well may be".

Just do your homework and don't buy on impulse.