Probably everyone who wanted to buy a used car experienced the torment of choice and the fear of making a mistake with the option they liked. After you have decided what kind of auto you want and picked up several options, the choice of the best auto begins. It can take a lot of time to inspect suitable cars, but some moments speed up the process, preventing you from getting stuck on obviously failed options. We will talk about them today. Here are the five signs indicating that you shouldn’t buy a used vehicle.
1. Serious Technical and Legal Problems
If the seller made a good impression, you can ask to send a photo of the documents. There is nothing secret and personal in this, so sincere and real owners usually do it without any problems. You should find the license plate or VIN of the car in the documents, and order the GA FaxVIN report to see what problems the car has. Refuse the car if the check shows that the auto is listed in theft, leasing, or pledge at the bank, or has repeatedly been in an accident.
2. The Seller Tells a Suspicious Story
Even at the stage of telephone conversations with the seller, you can abandon the idea of looking at a specific car. Usually, this is a galaxy of suspicious phrases like:
- Only my cousin Michael can show the car;
- You can see it only at night after I’m back from the office;
- The money for the car can only be transferred to the Qiwi wallet;
All of this sounds suspicious and is only associated with a silly deception scheme. You should not waste time talking to such a person. The chances of seeing the car as it is presented in the ad are minimal.
3. The Seller didn’t Tell About Major Accidents and Hid the Real Mileage of the Car
Sellers often hide the real mileage of the car. If, when inspecting the interior, you see 20 thousand miles on the panel, and the steering wheel, the driver’s seat, pedals are worn, the car’s mileage is likely to be changed. This means that in the future, you should wait for unpleasant surprises, and the price of the vehicle is also too high. You can find out if the mileage is changed by checking its VIN.
4. Technical Malfunctions That Will Require Expensive Repairs
During the inspection, be sure to test the car. When you start the engine, listen to how it works. When the car starts and drives, listen for knocks in the suspension, feel how the gearbox shifts. Avoid any suspicious sounds – you don’t need all this.
5. Fraud When Signing a Contract
If the car you have chosen has a clean history, excellent condition and you are ready to take it, do not lose your vigilance on the deal. Read the sales contract carefully. Anything that differs from a typical agreement should cause suspicions, especially provisions stating that the buyer is satisfied with everything and has no complaints.
