Buying and Owning a Car

Buying, Leasing, and Renting

Auto Trade-Ins and Negative Equity: When You Owe More than Your Car is Worth

What to expect when you owe more on your car than it’s worth.

Buying a Used Car From a Dealer

A Buyers Guide is required on used cars sold by dealers. Learn about vehicle history reports, warranties, and payment options.

Car Dealer Ads and Promotions: Know Before You Go

How to determine whether prices, discounts, and other terms in car ads are true before you go to the dealership.

Financing or Leasing a Car

Shopping for a new or used car? Learn about your financing and leasing options and what to expect at the dealership.

Renting a Car

Compare the total cost, not just the advertised rate, when shopping. Fees and options can increase the base price dramatically.

Ownership and Warranties

Auto Warranties and Auto Service Contracts

Explains auto warranties and auto service contracts and their differences. Also describes extended warranty scams and your rights.

Vehicle Repossession

What to know about when, and how, your car can be repossessed.

Related Scams

From Consumer Alerts

View all Buying and Owning a Car alerts

Consumer Alert

Overcharging car buyers based on how they look? That’s illegal

Gema de las Heras

October 24, 2023

It’s unfair and illegal to increase the amount someone ends up paying to buy or lease a car based on their race or how they look. But that’s how the FTC says a group of three auto dealerships in Rhinelander, Wisconsin allegedly overcharged some of their customers. Read on to learn more about the case — and what you can do to get a fair deal when buying a car.

Consumer Alert

It’s Financial Literacy Month: Learn how to keep your money safe from scammers

Colleen Tressler

April 3, 2023

April is Financial Literacy Month, and a great time to take advantage of free advice at ftc.gov/Money Matters. Federal Trade Commission data show people reported losing $8.8 billion to scams in 2022, up more than 30 percent from 2021. Money Matters has the tools we can all use to spot, avoid, and report scams, and help those we care about protect their bottom line. Read on to learn more.

Consumer Alert

Far from “full vehicle” protection

Kira Krown

March 24, 2023

When it comes to telemarketing and extended auto warranties, what you’re promised on the phone…may not be what you get. Today, the FTC announced a settlement in its case against American Vehicle Protection — who it charged last year with running a telemarketing extended auto warranty scheme that cheated people out of more than $6 million.

Consumer Alert