There are many ways to purchase a car out there, and if you’re not careful, you can fall victim to a deal that doesn’t really work in your favor. It’s generally good advice to not purchase a car brand new from the dealership unless you’re willing to say goodbye to a good chunk of its value the moment you leave the lot. But that’s not to say the used market is always going to be the perfect value-added option, even though the chance for finding a good deal is greater.
Of course, if you can, finding used cars from a used dealership that knows how to keep prices fair and vets each car they sell is a good place to start. It means you don’t have to deal with private sellers who may or may not be forthcoming about the quality of the car, and you’ll generally feel secure in the guarantees and extra services provided.
But to avoid being taken advantage of, you have to know how this happens most of all. In this post, we’ll discuss that and more:
Hidden Damage
A car might look great in the pictures and even in person, but there could be potential issues like frame damage, engine problems, or other costly repairs that aren’t immediately obvious. Sellers, and unfortunately especially private ones, may not always disclose these problems. To avoid this, always have the car inspected by a trusted mechanic before making a decision if you can, or bring along someone well versed in cars to give the outer vehicle an inspection. If the seller seems unhappy about this, don’t buy it. The same goes for a test drive.
Incomplete Paperwork
Incomplete paperwork can be a major issue. If the seller can’t provide the vehicle history report, proof of ownership, or service records, or is missing one of these, you should be cautious. Missing documents could mean the car has a questionable past, such as being stolen or having an unclear title. Make sure all paperwork is complete and matches the vehicle, including the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), and if anything is missing, ask if they can apply for the documentation and see what reasoning they have. If anything sounds suspicious, run a mile.
Tampered Odometer
Odometer tampering is a pretty common scam in the used car market, as a seller might roll back the mileage to make the car seem less used and more valuable. This is less common in newer cars but it still happens. To protect yourself, compare the odometer reading with maintenance records and look for signs of wear that don’t really match the reported mileage. Running with that aforementioned vehicle history report can also help you get a clearer idea if the mileage is appropriate. It’s best not to risk it if you have any worries, especially if the deal seems a little too worthwhile.
With this advice, we hope you can avoid three of the main ways buyers, and especially new drivers are taken advantage of.
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