Take It Step by Step

When you buy a vehicle there are many things that one must be aware of. It is important to verify many different things even before you decide to pop the hood, take a peak and go for a test drive. By following this basic checklist many of the possible pitfalls can be avoided and the likelihood of being stuck with a lemon can be minimized.

Firstly, be aware of some of the scams that people run to try and sucker you out of your money. Some are outright illegal while others, though not technically illegal, really should be. Perhaps the most common illegal tactic is that there are many stolen vehicles that are 'sold' to unsuspecting buyers. Always make sure that the seller owns the vehicle or is authorized to offer it for sale. This can usually be quickly verified by checking the insurance papers. Be aware of ads listing only mobile phone numbers as contacts, they are difficult to verify as belonging to the vehicle’s owner. Always try to view the vehicle in daylight at the seller's home, avoid seeing a vehicle at a public place where you cannot verify the owners address.

Secondly, try to verify the vehicle’s identity documents. Consider a carfax type report or a title search. It is advisable that you also make sure there is no outstanding finance on the vehicle. Buying a car that both you and the bank own is NOT GOOD!

Thirdly, Have a good look at the vehicle and make sure you are happy with its condition. Check the engine, tires, suspension, paint, glass and electronic systems. All these things can be done without even driving the vehicle. While checking these basic things it is also recommended to check for signs of forces entry, a powerful warning sign to a buyer. Record the VIN or vehicle identification number and use it to obtain more information about the car if you have become interested in this particular vehicle. The VIN is present in several different areas of the car; verify it is the same in each location. Often stolen cars have their VIN replaced and only the most hardworking thieves will replace more than one. Other things to look for would be the seals around the doors, rust and other body damage ect.

Fourthly, ask the right questions. Most people that are offering a vehicle up for sale are honest and so you should take advantage of their knowledge of their car. 1. Ask about maintenance background; ask for them to show recipes of recent service. 2. Ask about who drove the vehicle and their driving style. Vehicles used roughly may have costly hidden problems. 3. Ask about unusual oil or fuel consumption. Often it is helpful to ask to see where the vehicle has been parked and once there it becomes easy to look for signs of oil leaks. 4. Ask about any problems with the vehicle that are known to the owner. Honest people will disclose what they know and often will allow for price adjustments to deal with these known problems. 5. Ask about accidents. Usually accidents would show up on a carfax reports but sometimes this is not the case. Hidden damage caused by accidents can be serious and not immediately visible; in the worst-case scenario accident damage can be to the frame of the vehicle and make it unsafe to drive.

Fifth, if you really like the vehicle and everything seems to be satisfactory take the vehicle for a test drive. I recommend making sure by inspection that the vehicle is road safe prior to driving. If the test drive checks out...

Sixth step, Take the vehicle to an independent and qualified inspector, especially if it is fairly expensive! Unless you are a qualified mechanic I believe most people should spend the 100 or so bucks to get a prospective vehicle inspected. This is important information to the buyer as it will give you an indication as to the vehicle’s reliability and give you ground to stand on if you are interested in negotiating a more favorable price.

Seventh Step, Negotiations. Take the time to find a fair price for the vehicle from available sources. The internet is particularly useful in this regard, but be aware that local markets can legitimately command better prices than other locals. For example if you are researching a truck and find substantial differences in truck pricing between city and country locations this would most likely be normal as so you should not expect to pickup the tuck in the country for the city price.