In the past, when people have been unable to afford a new car, they often turned to the used car market to fill their need. With hybrids having been out on the market for a number of years, we are now reaching the point where you can find the rare one on a used car lot, or in the classifieds.

If you have decided to buy a used hybrid, what do you look for? How does buying a used hybrid differ from buying a regular car? In many ways it doesn’t differ at all. As with buying any used car, you need to start by researching your choice. Firstly, you need to search the Web. Does the particular make or model year have many problems?

Second, you need to look at the car itself? What is the odometer reading? If you get a history of it (via CarFax or some other system) has it been in an accident? Often, you can set your mind at ease regarding a car by purchasing from a certified used car from a dealership.

One of the biggest concerns regarding hybrids is the batteries. When it comes to the batteries, this is where you definitely need to be doing your research. The warranties for batteries (in fact for any component in a car) will often differ between manufacturers. This is often a good guideline for how long the manufacturer expects the parts to last. As batteries can be expensive to replace, you should take this information strongly into account when you consider your purchase. If you are not careful, you might end up spending more than you saved by needing to replace batteries soon after you buy the car. But, before you get worried, look at the warranty for the specific model you are considering buying.

Lastly, you should realize that in most (if not all) jurisdictions, any tax credits for the purchase of an environmentally friendly car such as a hybrid will only apply for new car purchases.