Buying a used car can be a scary proposition. Year after year people unknowingly purchase cars that have been involved in major collisions. It's all too easy for underhanded auto rebuilders to quickly fix up these vehicles and resell them, all too often glossing over important maintenance and safety issues.
In many cases, when a vehicle has been totaled so that the cost to fix it is greater than its value, an insurance company will declare the vehicle a total loss. The owner is typically paid a sum equal to the pre-collision value of the car, and the car may be sold at a salvage auction. In other cases, the owner may be able to keep the totaled vehicle. In either case, there are unscrupulous car owners (whether they purchased the vehicle at auction or are the original owner) who quickly patch up these vehicles and try to turn a profit on them by selling them at full price.
Even if you take a close look, you may not be able to tell that it has originally sustained major damage. You won't always see this on the title either, so it's important to find out before you decide to buy it. So keep yourself guarded and do the appropriate research. Here are a few examples below:
1. Check the title of the vehicle. Not every salvaged vehicle will have a notation on the title; in some cases band-aid repairs are done on the sly without a report being issued. But the title is the first place to check. If you see phrases like "scrap," "parts only," "unsalvageable," or "un-rebuildable" then you are dealing with a vehicle that's been involved in a major accident.
You can check the vehicle's title by utilizing the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). This database lets you enter a VIN number to instantaneously check the title and odometer reading of an automobile and find out whether it was ever declared a total loss or reported stolen. This government service is available in most states, and more states are continually adding this service. You can visit the NMVTIS website at nmvtis.gov.
Have Someone Inspect It- Okay, so we don't want you to have your next door neighbor come out and inspect it. However, if they are certified in collision repair then they would be a wise choice. They'll be able to identify the signs of a previously wrecked vehicle.
3. Ask the seller outright whether the vehicle has ever been in an accident. There are no guarantees that the seller will be truthful, but this way you can avoid a lie by omission. Some people won't offer the information, but will be truthful if you ask.
Get a History Report- Anytime anyone purchases a vehicle, they should get a Carfax or AutoCheck report. They will offer all the red flags that dig into a vehicle's past. However, just because a report is clean doesn't necessarily mean it hasn't been wrecked. In the end, not all problems are reported to the state licensing agencies.
Just make sure you're as thorough as possible when researching a vehicle. All the tips we've given you today should help you get an inside look at the history behind the car you're interested in buying. In order to keep yourself safe, document all your research and conversations you have along the way. If there are any issues you'll already be able to present a case if it goes to court.
In many cases, when a vehicle has been totaled so that the cost to fix it is greater than its value, an insurance company will declare the vehicle a total loss. The owner is typically paid a sum equal to the pre-collision value of the car, and the car may be sold at a salvage auction. In other cases, the owner may be able to keep the totaled vehicle. In either case, there are unscrupulous car owners (whether they purchased the vehicle at auction or are the original owner) who quickly patch up these vehicles and try to turn a profit on them by selling them at full price.
Even if you take a close look, you may not be able to tell that it has originally sustained major damage. You won't always see this on the title either, so it's important to find out before you decide to buy it. So keep yourself guarded and do the appropriate research. Here are a few examples below:
1. Check the title of the vehicle. Not every salvaged vehicle will have a notation on the title; in some cases band-aid repairs are done on the sly without a report being issued. But the title is the first place to check. If you see phrases like "scrap," "parts only," "unsalvageable," or "un-rebuildable" then you are dealing with a vehicle that's been involved in a major accident.
You can check the vehicle's title by utilizing the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). This database lets you enter a VIN number to instantaneously check the title and odometer reading of an automobile and find out whether it was ever declared a total loss or reported stolen. This government service is available in most states, and more states are continually adding this service. You can visit the NMVTIS website at nmvtis.gov.
Have Someone Inspect It- Okay, so we don't want you to have your next door neighbor come out and inspect it. However, if they are certified in collision repair then they would be a wise choice. They'll be able to identify the signs of a previously wrecked vehicle.
3. Ask the seller outright whether the vehicle has ever been in an accident. There are no guarantees that the seller will be truthful, but this way you can avoid a lie by omission. Some people won't offer the information, but will be truthful if you ask.
Get a History Report- Anytime anyone purchases a vehicle, they should get a Carfax or AutoCheck report. They will offer all the red flags that dig into a vehicle's past. However, just because a report is clean doesn't necessarily mean it hasn't been wrecked. In the end, not all problems are reported to the state licensing agencies.
Just make sure you're as thorough as possible when researching a vehicle. All the tips we've given you today should help you get an inside look at the history behind the car you're interested in buying. In order to keep yourself safe, document all your research and conversations you have along the way. If there are any issues you'll already be able to present a case if it goes to court.
About the Author:
In 25 years as a Utah personal injury attorney Rex Bush has successfully handled over one thousand cases, his largest settlement to date is 3.25 million dollars. Visit his Utah Personal Injury Lawyers website.
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