How to buy used cars from private sellers

If you really decide to buy from a private seller, remember all the extra work. Since private sellers are not subject to the same strict laws and regulations as dealers, the risk of fraud is significantly increased.

Here are some things you should do to make sure you deal with trusted sellers:

Ask them if they are masters. The best way to figure this out is to ask. Ask a little about their time in the car, the time they have the car, where they bought it, and so on. Here you should be able to capture any signal, such as "sell to a friend" or "recently bought."

Ask the owner's vehicle history. Don't be afraid to call to ask about the car. If it is a rollover, they may not have a maintenance record. If they say they have no records, ask them where they are going to maintain and repair, then call the company to ask. Here you can also know if the name of the person you are talking to matches the name on the record. If they don't know the details of the car, you may be dealing with a disguised trader.

Check the phone number of the person you are talking to. If the number is a pay-as-you-go phone or is related to other vehicle sales, please go away.

Check the address carefully. Be careful with people who want to meet outside the home. You want to make sure that the seller's address matches the car name and the address on the registration form. If they have reason not to be at home, consider driving in the past to make sure this is a real address.

Test on the street and on the highway. When you test drive a car, you will want to improve your senses. Pay close attention to any sound, landscape, smell or sensation when driving, turning and braking on streets and highways. Test all electrical controls: windows, radios, locking systems, etc. Make sure all the lights are working properly and the vehicle is running straight and braking straight. It only takes ten to fifteen minutes.

Accept the car inspection. When buying a car from a private seller, it's a good idea to check it out. This will cost about $100 to check from an ASE certified mechanic, but will save you a potential lemon purchase.

If you have doubts, go away. You are not obliged to buy a car. Ask a lot of questions. Use your instincts to listen when they tell you something suspicious. If you have been cheated once, you may be deceived again. If you don't build trust, whether it's with dealers and individual sellers, you might be in a rude surprise.

If you purchased from a private seller, be sure to transfer ownership and registration successfully before paying. It is also a good idea to check if there is an expired registration fee.