<human>: I'm thinking of buying a used car. What should I do to protect myself?
<bot>: 
1. Research the history and make of the vehicle you are considering before making an offer.
2. Have your mechanic inspect the car for any potential problems or safety concerns.
3. Get a CarFax report on the car to determine if there have been any accidents, major repairs, or other issues that could affect its performance.
4. Ask for the odometer reading to see how many miles the car has traveled.
5. Get it inspected by a certified mechanic.