Best Houston Limos

Though it can make things much easier, buying or selling used vehicles online can be risky business. For instance, one woman sold her car to a man who then attempted to resell the same vehicle under her name. The online ad he posted stated that the vehicle’s engine had been replaced with a brand new one- therefore he was listed it $2,500 higher than what he purchased it for. This gentleman not only lied about the new engine, but was bold enough to claim that the woman on the title was his wife!

If you were looking at the online ad this gentleman posted, you might be attracted to the fact that the vehicle had a brand new engine installed.  He probably assumed that since the engine appeared to be in great condition, it would be easy to fool a lot of potential buyers and make an easy profit.  And since his name wasn’t on the title, he wouldn’t be liable for making these fraudulent claims.

Stories like this go to prove that you can never be too careful when it comes to purchasing a used vehicle.  Don’t just take a seller’s word for it.  Do your research. If you ask the right questions, you may be able to find out whether or not the seller is trying to hide something… which would be a giant red flag.

One way you can avoid making a bad buying decision is by asking the seller for vehicle service records.  In this instance, the seller had a fake invoice from an actual auto repair shop – so it would be easy to believe him. You can take an extra step by getting the vehicle inspected by a certified mechanic.  Bring in the service records and have them verify that the work was actually completed, if possible.  If you are suspicious that the service records are not real, take the invoice to the auto repair shop listed on the invoice and verify that the vehicle was actually repaired there.

Another way to protect yourself from getting scammed is by purchasing a vehicle history report from instaVIN. One report will tell you information about:

• Previous accidents
• Previous thefts
• Fire and/or water damage
• Impound and towing events
• Odometer information
• Title/Lien information

No matter who or where you’re looking to buy a used car from, always be sure to do your research  before finalizing the purchase. For more information about vehicle history reports, visit instaVIN today!