Buying a car may be a thrilling experience. It’s tempting to get swept up in the euphoria of buying a new car. A few things to keep in mind before going through this procedure.
- If a person claims to work for a dealer but you aren’t in their place of business, ask to see their dealer’s license to validate their claim. Illegal automobile salesmen may inform you that they work for a reputable dealership. To be safe, especially if you’re thinking about buying from someone you met through an article in the newspaper or an online site like Craigslist, call them up and double-check this information.
- Always inquire about the vehicle’s title. There is a mandatory titling requirement for all vehicles that are 15 years old or younger in Vermont. A title is required for both registration and sale of a car. If someone claims that the title is at their house or in the bank, don’t fall for the con game. If there is no title, there will be no sale.
- Check the title to see if it says “salvaged, rebuilt, or totaled” if the car has ever been labeled as such. A salvaged, rebuilt, totalled, flood-car, or reconstructed automobile is worth half as much as an identical vehicle without a branded title. There are penalties for selling a car without disclosing this fact in writing and verbally prior to the sale being completed in Vermont.
- Verify the accuracy of the vehicle’s odometer. If the odometer reading on a car is incorrect, the vehicle must be stated to have “unknown true mileage.” “ Vehicles in this condition are typically valued about half of their book value. The odometer must also work correctly for a car to be examined in Vermont.
- Ask if your mechanic can inspect the vehicle. It’s never a bad idea to have a skilled auto mechanic inspect the vehicle you’re considering purchasing. This will save you money, time, and aggravation, and will verify that the vehicle is safe and meets all Vermont safety inspection criteria.
- Take a look at the vehicle’s inspection sticker. If the vehicle is showing a Vermont inspection sticker, verify that the sticker is legitimate and that it has been allocated to the vehicle it is affixed to. By comparing the brand, year, and VIN number on the sticker inside the car, you can confirm that the sticker belongs to the vehicle you’re considering purchasing.
- If you’re buying a car from a dealership, check to see if the vehicle has a “Buyer’s Guide. In accordance with federal and Vermont law, all used vehicles must display a Buyer’s Guide in one of its windows when they are for sale. The Buyer’s Guide will tell you if the vehicle is covered by a warranty or sold “as is.” “As is,” means exactly that, and if you have a problem after the sale has been completed, you have limited recourse.
- Enter the vehicle’s VIN number to perform an online vehicle history check with Carfax, Autocheck, or a comparable service. While the Vermont DMV does not promote any specific online car history vendor, we believe that using one can be a viable tool when evaluating the purchase of a vehicle. These studies will typically provide a thorough history of a car and alert a prospective buyer of potential difficulties, such as branded titles, odometer issues, and prior crashes.
- Consider asking the seller if the vehicle you’re looking at has ever been involved in a car accident. The fact that a vehicle’s title isn’t branded doesn’t indicate it hasn’t been in a collision. In some cases, an insurance company may not have deemed a vehicle to be a total loss after a collision. Titles in these circumstances will be free of any brand names. If a vehicle has been in a collision, it may have structural integrity issues that need to be addressed by a trained automotive specialist.
TYR Car Sales is an award-winning BMW and Mercedes Benz used cars for sale specialist. AA and FCA Approved Dealership and a RAC Approved Workshop. With our online virtual reality interior and exterior and video experiences of our cars, we make the car-buying process as simple as possible. For our customers’ peace of mind, TYR Car Sales goes to great lengths to purchase vehicles with a history of exceptional maintenance. The greatest quality Used Mercedes and BMWs may be found at our lot. For immediate assistance, please contact us at (01288) 358120