Shop Auto Vehicle Buying Tips and what to avoid
WHEN BUYING A USED VEHICLE
There are literally thousands of vehicles for sale in the market place
today. However, when buying a vehicle privately, the vehicle is purchased
"as is". The vehicle may have a Safety Standard Certificate,
but this is neither a warranty nor a guarantee that the vehicle will last
for any specific period of time. Also, "private sales" might
not be quite what they seem. Consumers must beware of whom they buy from. The individual that you may be purchasing your used vehicle from may be a "Curbsider". Curbsiders are everywhere and they are out
to prey on innocent victims. The 1996 UCDA study found one individual
with over 60 vehicles for sale. He was not a dealer.
When buying a car privately you are at risk of falling victim of unscrupulous
individuals (curbsiders) who sell cars outside the law. If that's the case,
you might find yourself with an unreliable and unsafe vehicle. The safety
provided by the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund applies
only to transactions involving registered dealers, all of whom have contributed
to this consumer protection mechanism. You need to protect yourself! Follow
these 5 easy tips to making the right deal.
1.Avoid Curbsiders
If you are not buying from a registered dealer, make sure you don't
become a curbsider's victim. Curbsiders are imposters who pose as private
individuals, but are actually in the business of selling stolen, rebuilt or
odometer-tampered vehicles. These fraud artists sell damaged or defective cars
to unsuspecting consumers
2.Check the Car's History
Insist the private seller provide you with an official Used Vehicle
Information Package (UVIP), which tells you the history of the car's ownership.
Don't sign the deal without it. If the seller refuses to provide it,
BEWARE!
3.Check the Car's Registration
Make sure the car you are buying is registered in the name of the seller,
if it isn't, ask questions and find out why. Otherwise, you may be buying the
vehicle from a curbsider!
4.Have Your Mechanic Check the Car
Before you agree to buy the car, get an unbiased opinion from a mechanic
you trust.
5.Don't Take Any Risks
Remember, if you buy from a curbsider you could be buying a car that has
been stolen or damaged -- and you have nowhere to turn
if things go wrong. Don't take any risks -- AVOID
CURBSIDERS!
Above curbsiders article found at http://www.omvic.on.ca/avoid.htm
STOLEN USED VEHICLE?
If you have purchased a vehicle that is found to be stolen, then you are
out of luck. The law says that a stolen vehicle must be returned to the
original owner. The buyer loses the whole purchase price, and would have
to sue the seller, who by then may or may not be able to be found.
ODOMETER FRAUD
Odometer fraud is another key
element in the curbsider being able to offer such a good deal. Some vehicles
sold by curbsiders have had their odometers "turned back". This allows the
curbsider to sell the vehicle for seemingly more than it is worth.
LIENS ON VEHCILE
There is also the risk of liens
being registered against the vehicle. Any liens that are found to be registered
against the vehicle would then be the responsibility of the new owner ... they
would have to either pay out the lien, or face repossession of the vehicle by
the lien holder.
REMEBER.... the "good deal" may not be so good. The Ministry of Transportation
requires that provincial sales tax be paid on the average wholesale value,
or the actual purchase price, whichever is higher. This could eat up any
perceived savings..
SHOP AUTO CORPORATION, YOUR ULTIMATE SOURCE FOR USED VEHICLE LISTINGS IN
ONTARIO
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