Car dealers are smart and savvy, and they often get their bad reputation by tricking customers. Now, we’re not saying they all behave this way. But a large majority of buyers have been ripped off by car dealers either through excessive and unanticipated fees or extra features that they push onto the customer. That’s why we want you to know the top seven ways you could get ripped off by a dealer while buying a car.

It’s tempting to dive straight in and purchase a brand new vehicle. New cars always have the latest features, can be customized however you want, and they’re easier to buy. But between new vehicles and used cars, a used car is almost always a smarter financial decision. Used cars are significantly cheaper when it comes to the overall cost, insurance rates, and registration. While used cars come with additional risk, there are now certified pre-owned programs that can give you great peace of mind.

You’ve found the perfect used car at the lowest price, but it happens to be halfway across the country. There’s no way you can come and inspect the vehicle and give it a test drive. You’re not feeling so confident just examining photos of the car and trusting the unknown seller on their word. Don’t worry. Before you get too overwhelmed, there are many ways you can review a used car that’s out of state without undergoing a test drive.

There’s nothing a car salesperson loves more than ignorant, clueless car buyers. Buyers who haven’t done their research are more likely to pay more than a car is worth. But it’s not always a higher sticker price that gets you. A lot of the additional costs will go into overpriced dealer add-ons that profit dealerships significantly. To avoid being the clueless car buyer opting for a dozen pricy add-ons, make sure you always ask these three questions before you set foot in any dealership.

The used car search can be overwhelming! Whether it’s your first or your fifth, most car buyers tend to get so caught up in the process that they forget the essential details. It happens. That’s why buying any vehicle requires patience and research. There are a host of considerations you need to take into account before settling for a used car. In this resource, we’ve created a checklist of things you should consider while conducting your used car search and before buying.

Cars are an essential part of our everyday. We drive them to work, to visit our family and friends, and attend fun events on the weekend. But how often do you maintain your car? And do you know what to look out for? Car maintenance is crucial to road safety, and there’s nothing more important than keeping yourself and your loved ones safe on the road. In this guide, we’re going to help you become a more informed driver by showing you four basic car maintenance tips that every car owner should be familiar with.

If you’ve ever felt like the deck was stacked against you while shopping for a car or truck, you’re not wrong. The truth is, the dealer has always had the upper hand. That’s because in most cases, the person selling you the vehicle knows the car-buying game way better than you do. But that’s not your fault. Unless you’re in the business, why should you be expected to know all the tricks of the trade?

These days, it’s rare for someone to start their car-buying research when they walk into the dealership. In fact, 86 percent of car-buyers conduct research online before even walking onto the lot. The internet has changed the game. That said, not all sites are created equal. The majority of automotive search tools on the internet only feature cars that dealers pay to be promoted. These tools are closer to advertising sites than unbiased search engines.

When it comes to buying a car, knowledge truly is power. There’s a direct correlation between how much you know and how good of a deal you’re going to get on your next vehicle — new or used. It’s really that simple! Know your model, be aware of prices in your area, have a firm grasp on what’s important to you in a car, and understand the ins and outs of the negotiation process.

From 2000 to 2017, 275 new and existing car models were offered in the U.S. This is a dizzying amount of options, so it’s no wonder that buying a new or used vehicle gets stressful. We get so overwhelmed that we typically consider only a small handful of vehicles, often based on what’s popular or what friends and family drive. It’s understandable. An abundance of choices can be paralyzing! But a tool like CoPilot can help you make sense of it all.