Buying A Used Car Privately |
Sherrie Bennett
Buying a used car from a private seller can be an unnerving experience. But there's a lot you can do to make sure you're getting a good deal.
Prepare Yourself
Do your research ahead of time and know what make, model and year of car you're after. You can also find out what you should expect to pay for your car by comparing prices online and in newspaper ads.
Visual Inspection
Once you've found a car you're interested in, take a good look at it, focusing on:
- Making sure the 17-digit VIN numbers on the dashboard and doors match (otherwise the car could be stolen)
- Signs of flooding, such as water lines on the engine, new carpeting or upholstery, rusting under the seats
- Signs of fluid leaks on the ground around the car
- The levels of fluids (radiator, windshield wiper, oil, and so forth)
- Signs of oversprayed or new paint, which might indicate the car has been repaired after an accident
- The condition of the tires
You'll also want to test drive the car to determine general handling, and whether there are any rattles (which may be evidence the car has been in an accident) or other suspicious noises.
Ask the seller to take a look through maintenance records, which can tell you how carefully and frequently the previous owners performed routine maintenance such as oil changes. Maintenance records can often reveal accident repairs and mechanical problems.
Questions To Ask The Seller
Asking the seller a few basic questions can give you a lot of information:
- Why are you selling the car?
- How many miles are on it?
- Are there any needed repairs that you're aware of?
- Has the car been in any accidents?
- Has the car ever been flooded or declared a loss by an insurance company?
- How many people have owned the car?
- What type of gas have they used?
- Where has the car been driven most- in-city, on the freeway, offroad?
Mechanical Inspection
It's important to have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle for mechanical defects before you purchase it.
There isn't a standard checklist for mechanical inspections, but the inspection should at a minimum cover the major mechanical systems.
Be sure to get a written inspection report from the mechanic, with a cost estimate for any necessary repairs.
Independent Research
Depending on where you live, you may be able to get at least some of the following information from your state Department of Motor Vehicles:
- Odometer mileage each time a car has been sold
- Whether the car has been in any accidents
- Whether the car has been sold at auction
- The number of owners, and when they bought and sold the vehicle
- If the vehicle was leased, or a rental car or government vehicle
- When the dealer took delivery
- Any vehicle emissions inspection problems
- Whether the car has been reported as stolen
Warranties
Used car sales by private owners usually aren't covered by the "implied warranties" under state law, so the sale will probably be "as is" unless you have a written agreement otherwise.
You'll want to examine any manufacturer's warranty that may still be in place, to see what it covers, how much longer it will last, and whether it extends to new owners.
You can check with your state Attorney General's Office to find out whether there are minimum requirements for warranties and/or assurance that a vehicle will pass state inspection in your state.
Closing the Deal
It's especially important when dealing with a private seller to carefully document the sale before you hand over your money.
You should have a blank Bill of Sale form ready to fill in with the car's VIN number and seller's name and address.
Rather than bringing cash to the transaction (which is dangerous and can't be traced), present the seller with a bank draft. If the car turns out to be stolen, you can put a stop payment on the bank draft.
It's important to get the car title and check the registration before giving any money to the seller. If the seller can't produce the title, walk away from the deal, as something is very wrong. The seller should record the mileage and the amount of the sale on the back of the title. Be sure to check their identity by asking them to produce a drivers' license (and check to make sure it's valid!).If the title shows a lienholder, there should be a "lien satisfied" stamp on it (Otherwise, the seller might still owe the bank).
You'll also want to get any special equipment that comes with the car, such as wheel lug keys to unlock the lug nuts on the wheels. Also ask for extra lamps and headlights, plus a spare tire and jack.
With a little preparation and caution, you can wheel and deal with confidence.