Five Precautions You Need to Take When Buying Used Cars

Buying a used car involves a good deal of money. If you can get a car in good condition then nothing like it but if you don’t, you will be in a fix. Which is why you need to be careful while buying a used car.

Here are some precautions you should take while buying used cars in Forest, VA:

Beware of Curbsiders

Curbsiders are illegal, unlicensed vehicle dealers. Just as they misrepresent themselves sometimes posing as private sellers, they also misrepresent the cars that they sell. Some common tactics used by curbsiders are:

Ï  The vehicle is not registered in the seller’s name or has been registered in the seller’s name for a short period of time.

Ï  The vehicle is priced below its market value.

Ï  The seller does not provide a receipt or proof of purchase.

Find out about the Dealer

Try to find out as much as you can about the dealer. What kind of reputation do they have? Do they have a website? Any authentic used car dealership should have a website. If available, check out customer testimonials. You should also check out Google reviews about the dealer. And always check the dealer’s license.

Do a Thorough Inspection of the Car

Double-check the interior and exterior of the car. Find out if the body panels line up evenly. Uneven panels may indicate that the car was involved in an accident. And never go for a car with a damaged frame.

Check for odometer tampering. Do the wear and tear on the car show more use than the mileage would indicate?

To be confident, get the car tested by a trusted mechanic or get it certified by a car certification company.

Do a Vehicle History Check

While checking out used cars in Forest, VA, just a visual inspection will not be enough. What you also require is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check to know about ownership history, whether the car has been involved in an accident, whether it is reported as stolen and if there are any recalls on the model.

Used car dealers usually have vehicle history report subscriptions, either with Autocheck or CARFAX. If you are really interested in buying a used car from them, your dealer should have no problems in getting you a vehicle history report.

In the case of stolen vehicles, VIN is swiped from legally registered vehicles. To avoid being a victim make sure that the VIN on the vehicle matches the one on the registration document of the vehicle. The most accessible place to find the VIN on the vehicle is at the base of the windshield on the driver’s side.

Go for a Test Drive

Before you buy a used car, you should get the feel of the car. Take the car out for a proper test drive. If you have taken the dealer’s permission, the insurance will cover any liabilities if you crash the car while test-driving.

So do you now have any questions about buying used cars in Forest, VA?