Valentine’s Day conjures up images of hearts, flowers and a double-decker box of chocolate, nougat and nuts. But, metaphorically speaking, what happens when that stupendous bouquet of roses you got turns out to be a pile of weeds? Love might cloud our vision, but that doesn’t mean you have to turn a blind eye to consumer pitfalls. If you know what to look for, you can avoid some big missteps. While these are probably the least romantic Valentine sentiments ever, they just might save you some heartbreak down the road.

You’re looking to buy a used car and want some peace of mind, so you choose a dealer that advertises rigorous, bumper-to-bumper safety inspections. You can drive off the lot with confidence, right? Not so fast.

Today the FTC announced that General Motors Company, Jim Koons Management Company, and Lithia Motors have agreed to settle charges they deceptively marketed their used cars when they made claims about their comprehensive inspections.