Keep an open eye when buying a used vehicle

If all answers were truthful, what would you ask your future used vehicle about?

What if it had undergone any car accidents? Or if there were any alterations with the odometer? How many owners has it had? To what quality was it maintained? Was it utilized as a cab or police car? If the vehicle can’t tell you all of this information, the seller could. Even better – a vehicle history report could.

Furthermore, a vehicle identification number (VIN) is a 17-digit code that’s assigned to every car in the U.S. With a VIN, you can access a full vehicle history report for your used car. While most cost less than $40, it’s rare to find a trustworthy and reputable vehicle history report provider. It allows you to find information such as ownership history, odometer check, open safety recall check, junk/salvage/insurance records, stolen vehicle check, tech service history and more. For example, if the report shows that the car underwent multiple repairs in a short period of time, it’s undeniable that the car may have major issues, therefore, you can take this into account when purchasing a new vehicle – making your buying process easier.

However, car inspections can get a bit tricky. If the seller is telling you that he/she has already inspected the vehicle, ask where and who was inspecting it. If you are buying a car at a car auction, ask the seller if you can take the car to a mechanic for inspection. That’s the best way to rest assured about the condition of the vehicle.

Additionally, check its title – it will show you who has owned the car. It’s essential to make sure that the title is clean. If the seller is also the vehicle’s owner, the title will demonstrate important details, such as if the car loan is paid off or if he/she is in fact its real owner. When you’re buying a used car, both you and the seller will sign the title to issue a “title transfer.” It’s easy to trust, but be aware. Asking the seller to provide documentation is 100% recommended.