Do look for a car with good safety ratings from trusted sources such as IIHS and the NHTSA.

Don’t get a car with high horsepower.

Do get a car that your teen feels comfortable driving and has few blind spots/obstructions.

Don’t get a car that’s so old it lacks the most up-to-date safety features.

Do seek cars with electronic safety-control capabilities.

Don’t buy a car with salvage, total loss, or rebuilt titles. If you do, then …

Do everything to make sure the car was properly repaired back to manufacturer specs.

Don’t skip the test drive or mechanic’s inspection.

Do get a Carfax Vehicle History Report to find out about potential problems. Shop at the all-new Carfax.com and get a free Carfax Vehicle History Report with every car for sale.