3 Tips for Purchasing a Used Car
Purchasing a used car can be one of the best deals you can score throughout the entirety of your life. However, sometimes purchasing a used vehicle can be a bit of a crap shoot. Sometimes, you'll luck out and find the deal of a lifetime, while other times, you can wind up sinking a big chunk of change. Luckily, there are things to be on the lookout for in order to secure a good deal or avoid a bad one.
Damage
When it comes to purchasing a used car, one of the biggest concerns of which you should worry yourself is if the car has experienced frame or structural damage. Many times, people will fail to report any frame or structural damage that has occurred to their vehicle, and you, as a used car buyer, will be the losing party in the equation. It is recommended that you get a vehicle report in order to determine if the car has experienced any frame or structural damage, even if the vehicle looks like it's in decent condition.
Avoid Curbstoning
Curbstoning is a tricky business practice that is, unfortunately, considered legal. Curbstoning is the name given to the act of a dealer posing as a private individual and placing a used car on a lawn with a for sale sign on it or even taking out an ad in a local newspaper or placing a notice on Craigslist. Many used car dealerships with scrupulous morals practice curbstoning as a way to sell off some of their less desirable vehicles without having to describe in detail what sort of accident history the car has experienced. It is always recommended that you receive an accident report before purchasing a car from an individual, even if the person seems reputable.
Odometer Rollback
Odometer rollback is the most common form of fraud among individuals or dealerships that are selling used cars. Odometer rollback occurs when a person rolls back their odometer to make it seem like the vehicle has traveled less miles than it actually has. Odometer rollback is highly illegal. Although it is difficult to check for odometer rollback fraud, it is recommended that you check the spark plug for any signs of rust. A vehicle with a minuscule amount of miles and a rusty spark plug is a definite sign that the seller is trying to pull the wool over your eyes.
Purchasing a used car might seem like a difficult task, but so long as you adhere to these three simple rules, you can avoid fraud or simply purchasing a used car that isn't right for you. However, don't let these possibilities deter you from shopping around where you can. Be sure to check out local used car dealers for good deals.
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