Are you searching for a safe and reliable used vehicle to buy for your teen driver? Here are three things to look for during your search:

An Extended Warranty

An important consideration to make when choosing which used car to invest in for your teen driver is what type of warranty it comes with and how long your teen will be able to rely on that protection. The older the vehicle is, the bigger the chance that something major will go wrong at some point, which could result in thousands of dollars worth of engine or drive train repairs.

In addition to any remaining warranty coverage that's provided by the manufacturer, make sure that the vehicle you invest in is eligible for extended warranty coverage. Ask for a list of coverage options so you can sit down with your teen and compare them side by side to determine which options will likely provide you with the most bang for your buck.

A Backup Camera

More than 200 people die each year due to backup accidents, many of which happen in parking lots and driveways. Because your teen doesn't have a lot of experience behind the wheel, the chance of them being in a backup accident is likely higher than average, so it's a good idea to look for a vehicle to invest in that either comes equipped with a backup camera or can accommodate an aftermarket camera.

A backup camera will reduce the vehicle's rear blind zone by about 90 percent and help keep your teen safe while pulling out of your driveway or a parking lot at the store. If the vehicle you and your teen ultimately decide to purchase doesn't already have a backup camera installed in it, make sure that its dash and back bumper can handle the installation of an aftermarket camera.

Like-New Tires

Safety is dramatically compromised when the tires on a vehicle are worn. In fact, tire tread loses quite a bit of grip even when they're only halfway worn, which can lead to hydroplaning and other dangerous situations on the road. For this reason, it's important to check each tire on the vehicles you and your teen consider purchasing. Make sure that they've got a safe amount of tread depth on them and that the depth on all of them is similar. There's no reason why you should have to invest hundreds of dollars in new tires anytime soon after purchasing the vehicle.

New tires have a tread depth of 10/32 of an inch, so look for a vehicle with tires as close to this measurement as possible. Buy a small tread-depth gauge and take it with you when shopping for vehicles so you can test each tire as you evaluate all of the car's other features.

Using these tips, you can buy used cars with confidence, knowing that your teen will be safe while on the road.