​Second, people don’t often buy cars and don’t really know what their rights are or what is normal.  Let me assure you, IT IS A NORMAL REQUEST to seek a second opinion BEFORE you buy a car.  NORMAL, I say. 
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Call your own insurance before you buy a car to make sure you would be covered driving someone else’s car to your mechanic.  You are likely covered. If the seller wants to drive the car to the auto shop, great. Just don’t let them hang out with your mechanic.  Even though it is their car, you are paying for an independent inspection and don’t need the owner  badgering the mechanic.

While you are at the mechanic, run your own darn Carfax or Autocheck report.  Do NOT rely on what someone else gives you. It is worth every penny, just like paying for your mechanic to look over the car.
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It is also NORMAL to ask for a WRITTEN receipt that includes each person’s contact information (phone AND address), the date, the amount paid, the year, make and model of the car, and both signatures.  It is also NORMAL to ask for a warranty in WRITING. One day, two days, one week, whatever, and the major systems covered (like powertrain and engine). The seller might say no, but it is normal to ask. And keep in mind, if the seller says no there is a reason.

Also run the vehicle’s smog history to see when it was last smogged.  A private seller MUST have the car smogged within 90 days prior to its sale.  A used car dealer must smog it sometime between when he acquires the vehicle and sells it (which could be more than 90 days).

Check the smog history for free at
 https://www.bar.ca.gov/pubwebquery/vehicle/pubtstqry.aspx. ​

​Third, and this might be hard to hear, I believe that BUYERS don’t want to know!  It is exciting to buy a new-to-you car and it looks great. (They all LOOK great.)  Be honest, perhaps YOU don’t want to bother with the adult responsibilities that go along with car buying.  That’s right – I said it, from my armchair.  I believe it is better to look yourself in the mirror and fess up before buying a car.  If you just don’t want to deal with a second opinion or Carfax or written receipt, fine.  Just don’t raise the victim flag when your new car breaks down a mile (or a block) away.  It’s annoying. (Thus the whole point about giving you the worst advice.)