If you are going to buy a used car, be sure that you research the car thoroughly before making a purchase decision. If you don’t, you could end up owning something that the dealer didn’t disclose and that was previously involved in an accident. You may be stuck with an expensive lemon. Here are tips for avoiding a car that has been previously wrecked or otherwise damaged.
Check the Carfax Report
Carfax checks the car’s history and can tell you a lot about it. You may find that you are purchasing a car that previously had an accident or was involved in an insurance dispute or other event. Before you commit to buying used cars in richfield township, make sure you research it thoroughly. You may find that it has an accident or non-fatal accident that is not shown on the current Carfax report.
Check the Title
Ask the dealer about the previous owner’s title history before making a purchase decision. If the vehicle’s title has been in accidents, even minor fender benders, it could be a sign that trouble lies ahead.
Check the Dealer
Check out the dealer’s records from other states. If the record is clean, then there is no reason to be concerned. However, if the car has been in an accident within the last 3 months, which could be a red flag that you are getting yourself into a problem.
Check for VIN Number Matching
Check with other experienced dealerships or state departments of motor vehicles to see if any of their records match yours. If the VIN numbers don’t match, there could be an issue with the paperwork.
Check for a Salvage Title
If you are looking to purchase a car that has been salvaged, check with the Department of Motor Vehicles to see if a salvage title has been recorded. If it has, be sure you know what was wrong with the car and why it was written off as a total loss.
Check for Body Damage or Other Car Accident Marks
Check to see if the car has been damaged or salvaged. If it does, there could be an issue with the history of how the car was repaired and it could be a sign that there is “something fishy” about the current ownership. Check with state and local collision departments, insurers and police records to see if an accident has occurred with this vehicle.
Check for Odometer Fraud
Check the odometer readings. It is illegal to roll back the mileage on an odometer or to tamper with it in any way. If you spot a discrepancy, you should walk away from the car. You may be purchasing a car that is unsafe and not covered by warranty if the mileage has been rolled back.