Car Buying Tips
These are some top tips for making sure that when you purchase a secondhand car you're not getting a lemon, but rather a great deal.
Check the car's documentation:
If you are buying a car privately you are not guaranteed a clear title. So it is very important to cover your financial investment in the car by getting in contact with the local state registry office and checking that the car you are looking to purchase is in the clear. These are a few questions you should be asking the registry office;
1) Has the registry been notified that the vehicle is reported as being stolen?
2) Who has financial ownership or past ownership of the car? Clear up if any financial institution, enforcement agency or individual has a registered security interest in the car.
3) Has there been any written-off vehicle damage reported for the vehicle?
When you call the registry office to find out about the status of the vehicle this is a checklist of the information you'll need to supply them;
1) vehicle's registration number. (ie, the number plate)
2) state of registration (this will be displayed on the registration sticker and number plate)
3) vehicle identification number (VIN) or chassis number
4) engine number
It is important that you get the VIN or chassis number from the compliance plate. This is a typically attached to the division between the engine and the passenger compartment, and the engine number from the engine block. It may be a tad difficult to get at the compliance plate as it could be covered by built up grime or located in a place that is difficult to see. However, it is well worth the effort. Don't rely on the information on the registration label, other paper work or on the owner telling you the numbers. The VIN number will also be engraved in the frame of the vehicle. If the numbers differ to those on the registration label or other documentation, you could be looking at a stolen car.
More tips to come tomorrow...
Check the car's documentation:
If you are buying a car privately you are not guaranteed a clear title. So it is very important to cover your financial investment in the car by getting in contact with the local state registry office and checking that the car you are looking to purchase is in the clear. These are a few questions you should be asking the registry office;
1) Has the registry been notified that the vehicle is reported as being stolen?
2) Who has financial ownership or past ownership of the car? Clear up if any financial institution, enforcement agency or individual has a registered security interest in the car.
3) Has there been any written-off vehicle damage reported for the vehicle?
When you call the registry office to find out about the status of the vehicle this is a checklist of the information you'll need to supply them;
1) vehicle's registration number. (ie, the number plate)
2) state of registration (this will be displayed on the registration sticker and number plate)
3) vehicle identification number (VIN) or chassis number
4) engine number
It is important that you get the VIN or chassis number from the compliance plate. This is a typically attached to the division between the engine and the passenger compartment, and the engine number from the engine block. It may be a tad difficult to get at the compliance plate as it could be covered by built up grime or located in a place that is difficult to see. However, it is well worth the effort. Don't rely on the information on the registration label, other paper work or on the owner telling you the numbers. The VIN number will also be engraved in the frame of the vehicle. If the numbers differ to those on the registration label or other documentation, you could be looking at a stolen car.
More tips to come tomorrow...
