Buying a new car can be a big decision, regardless of if it is a new car or used car purchase. Used cars can be a great deal as they cost significantly less than driving a new one off the lot. However, almost all cars have some sort of history with them. The scariest thing is knowing if the dealership or previous owner is telling you the truth about the vehicle. Here, United Car Care – vehicle service contracts provider – reviews three red flags to keep an eye out for when searching for that perfect next car for you and your family.
1. Lack of Service Records
Contents
Maintenance history is a crucial part of any car’s history. The previous owner or dealership if you are buying it from a business should have access to all of the service records for a vehicle. Routine oil changes and mileage services at big milestones are essential in ensuring a car runs smoothly. Most of this information is readily available through a Carfax report, which will show all service records along with a detailed report of each service so you can identify if there were ever any issues along the way. Without the service history, you have no way of knowing if the vehicle has been kept in good condition. Even before receiving service records, a few easy ways to tell if a car is overdue include noticing an oil change sticker that is past the current odometer miles or if any service lights are lit on the dashboard.
2. Vehicle History Issues
Another great component of a Carfax report is that it will provide any history for accidents, claims, or other issues associated with the car. Using the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), reports like Carfax will show you if the car has been reported in any car accidents, hail claims, damages repaired at a body shop, or even flood issues. Vehicles that have had extensive repairs to the body or framework or were subjected to flood waters can have massive service issues. Another item that may appear on a report is an odometer rollback check, which means the mileage reported on the car is lower than it actually is and should be avoided at all costs.
3. Problems with the Title
Vehicle reports also report any issues with the title of the vehicle. Certain issues to avoid entirely include flood titles, junk titles, and salvage titles. Many cars with a flood title came from areas that were subjected to hurricanes and suffered extensive water damage to the car. A junk title means the car has been deemed not safe to operate and cannot be retitled. Salvage titles mean that the car was declared totaled by an insurance company due to the amount of damage obtained. Other issues with the title may be that it is fraudulent. Before purchasing a car, you may want to verify the title with your local DMV to ensure you are working with the proper owner. Criminals often steal vehicles and forge a fake title, which can result in you paying for a car that you do not actually own.
About United Car Care
United Car Care has earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, which speaks to the way they do business – with integrity. They have had over a million satisfied customers as well as man long-time relationships with their dealers and agents. These relationships are a true testimonial to United Car Care’s core values: quality, dependability, and customer service.