Buying a car is not an easy decision. This is intentional. Cars are expensive and people should make sure that they get their money’s worth when they buy a car. For this reason, it is critical for everyone to make sure they have all the information available on any car they decide to purchase. On average, even a used car is going to cost almost $20,000. Therefore, everyone wants to make sure they know exactly what they’re buying.
First, many used cars are going to have unreported damage. Many people like buying a used car because they are significantly cheaper than a new car and have already taken the biggest depreciation hit. Therefore, these cars are seen as having a better value. At the same time, unreported damage is common when people buy a used car. Most dealers use a service called CarFax. CarFax is a great service because people can learn a lot about a vehicle in a brief document; however, assuming CarFax is going to have all the information is a mistake. Because dealers often used services such as this, the dealer may not have all the information as well. These services draw information on a vehicle by taking its VIN number and matching it to police reports, insurance companies, and repair shops. While this is a good start, what happens if the car was taken somewhere for repairs that wasn’t included in the list above? Nobody will know the car has had work done.
It is important for everyone to know that not every accident or damage incident in the life of a vehicle is going to get reported. If the incident wasn’t reported, it is hard to figure out where, how, and to what extent the car was damaged. While it is important for everyone to start with services such as CarFax, it is important not to stop there. In order for people to figure out the true history of a vehicle, it needs to be inspected by a trained professional at a licensed body shop.
People should take the car to a body shop they trust. That way, they know the professionals there are going to look at the vehicle from top to bottom. These are trained technicians who know how to spot signs of damage, including damage that might be concealed. Then, people will know exactly what condition the vehicle is in before they purchase it.
Most people go years between buying cars. Therefore, it is normal to have questions or feel a bit overwhelmed by car dealers and salesmen who are anxious to offload a car. It is important for everyone to remain calm and make sure they have all the information on the vehicle before making a decision. This will make sure that everyone gets their money’s worth out of a new or used car purchase.
