Vehicle title history. Before purchasing a used vehicle you want to ensure there is a clear title, a

I am a big supporter of buying used cars instead golf pga tour of new cars. Buying a used car will save you money not just on the price, golf pga tour but can also help in finding affordable car insurance options because used cars are typically less expensive to insure. Unfortunately, used cars don t always come with the same guarantees that come with new cars.
An important part of a used car purchase is to obtain the car s history, making sure title is clear and there were no serious accidents that haven t been disclosed by the owner. You should primarily golf pga tour be concerned with issues regarding the vehicle s title, accident history, and ownership history.
Vehicle title history. Before purchasing a used vehicle you want to ensure there is a clear title, and that the vehicle golf pga tour has not been totaled due to a severe accident or flooding. You also want to verify the odometer readings on the title if applicable.
Accident and service history. Has the car been well taken care of and are there service records that show routine golf pga tour maintenance? Has the vehicle been written off as a total loss, have the airbags been deployed, is there frame damage, etc.
Ownership history. It s also a good idea to know the ownership history of the vehicle you are considering buying. Key information to look for includes the number of previous owners, and the type of owner (rental company, fleet vehicle, etc.). Many vehicles used as fleet vehicles or that are rented out are not taken care of as well as a vehicle owned by an individual.
CarFax is the industry leader golf pga tour for this type of vehicle background check, but even CarFax golf pga tour reports golf pga tour aren t always golf pga tour 100% accurate. For one thing they only cover reported information, and as of two years ago, they still didn t include information from insurance companies – so there are some other things you should do before you seal the deal, especially if the seller is an individual and not a dealership or used car lot. Also keep in mind that it may take some time before information is made available to CarFax, allowing dishonest people to sell a lemon before it can be reported.
CarMax recently released a report about how to spot hidden vehicle damage . As part of the associated survey, most people responded that they though a fresh paint job was the best indicator that a car has undergone major repairs. But according to CarMax professionals, clamp marks on a vehicle golf pga tour s frame are the biggest sign that the car may have been involved in a serious collision.
In addition to looking for clamp marks, you want to pay attention to the feel and sound of the engine while taking a test drive, ensure doors and windows close properly, and observe the functionality of all the electronics and the odometer.
This is especially important on an older car, and can be an important gauge of how much wear and tear is really on the vehicle. A general rule is that there should be an average of 10 – 20,000 miles per year. If you have a car with a low number of miles that seems to be in poor condition, or if the odometer reading seems overly low when compared to the age of the car, these are red flags, and you may want to reconsider your purchase.
The Vehicle Identification Number golf pga tour for any car should be located on a plate under the dash, on the doorpost, or on the firewall of the engine, and is often in all three locations. Check all of them, and make sure the number is the same in all three, as well as checking, not only with CarFax but with the local crime database as well (in some places you can do this) to be certain title is clear. Mismatched numbers? You may not want to take on that risk.
You can also perform a free VIN check with the National Insurance Crime Bureau. golf pga tour NICB s VINCheckSM is a service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle has been reported as stolen, but not recovered, or has been reported as a previously declared total loss vehicle by cooperating NICB members. All you need to perform the search is the VIN. Keep in mind that a maximum of 5 VINCheck searches can be conducted within a 24 hour period.
Upholstery: Check for excessive wear and tear on the seats, but also examine the accelerator and brake pedals – if the latter are either over-worn, or obviously new there could be a problem with the braking system.
Take it on a Test Drive: You ll want to be certain that the car starts immediately, idles smoothly, and changes gears well. Steering and braking should be smooth and responsive, with no squeaking or squealing.
golf pga tour If all this seems like a lot to do for a used car, remember that car accident statistics show that poor maintenance is one of the four major causes of car accidents, leading golf pga tour to five percent golf pga tour of all accidents reported. Knowing the history and condition of a used car before you buy it can go a long way toward helping you choose a vehicle that has been well-maintained, and is therefore safer to drive.
Ryan Guina is the founder and editor of Cash Money Life. He is a writer, small business owner, and entrepreneur. He served over 6 years on active duty in the USAF and is currently a member of the IL Air National Guard. He also writes about military money topics and military and veterans benefits at The Military Wallet .
Thanks for posting these helpful tips. It’s true that while we do report a lot we may not know everything that’s happened to a car. Besides getting to know a car’s history, we recommend taking the car for a test drive and having it inspected golf pga tour by a mechanic.
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