Be Alert to Avoid Used Car Frauds

When it comes to purchasing a used vehicle, it is important to be aware of used car frauds. The car dealer you decide to purchase from may scam you with a vehicle that’s not in the best of condition. So it is important to make an informed decision when paying for a used car. You need to do your due diligence before you finally decide to get that car home.

Many a time vehicles aren’t in the right condition to be sold, but car dealers hide the shortcomings of the car just so they can make a good amount of money from it. However, this can be a big trouble for you in the future. For instance, if the car dealer hides a big damage that occurred to the car and has affected its overall condition, you certainly will face inconvenience with that car in the future.

There are different types of used car frauds that you should be aware of in order to make a good purchase. Some of the common frauds and how they can be avoided are listed below.

Used Car Frauds and Tips to Avoid It

Odometer Fraud

One thing that will definitely attract you when it comes to buying a pre-owned car is its mileage. Buyers go for a car that has a low mileage reading when compared to one that has a high reading. Sellers know this well and thus they can easily doctor the odometer readings to show you a mileage that’s very low. A car that has run for just a few miles will undoubtedly have a price that’s high.

If you’re wondering how the readings can be altered, the old model cars were reversed in order to show a low reading. Today the digital odometers can easily be reversed with the help of technology. Wondering how you can avoid such fraud? You can simply check the vehicles VIN check report, the services that were made to the vehicle and any titles transfer to cross check the mileage on the odometer. Another way is to just use your senses to understand the wear and tear on the steering wheel, brake pedal and car seats.

Air Conditioner Fraud

When visiting a used car dealer, you will come across cars that may have a tag along the lines of ‘Just Needs Freon’ or ‘A/C Needs Recharge’ this is an indicator that the Air Conditioner of the car isn’t working. If the car is low on refrigerant, it may mean that there are leaks in the system. So no matter how many times you add a new refrigerant, it’ll only be great for a while and then eventually the cooling will stop.

Although there are a lot of air conditioner kits that help you add refrigerant into the system, it’ll only be of use if the leak is repaired. It is important to assess such cars keenly and get any excess work done before you make the big purchase, else you will be in for a loss.

Stolen Cars Fraud

There are quite several cases where cars stolen in a state were sold in another. Car dealers may often show you vehicles whose price is too good to be true. But it’ll only be because it’s stolen and they want to make quick money out of it. Therefore, it is crucial to get the car VIN check report before buying it.

Whenever a car is stolen, it is definitely going to be mentioned in the report. If the owner finds it later you obviously have to give them the car back and it can be a great loss of money for you. Thus getting the VIN report can definitely save you from facing consequences in the near future. You can also ask for seller’s identity and match it with the information on vehicle registration form to confirm it’s their car.

The Title Fraud

In case a car has been in a major accident or calamity like floods or fire and gets damaged to a higher degree, then it is given a ‘salvage’ title. This title means that the car was destroyed to a very large extent and isn’t in a drivable condition. However, dealers often take such cars to another state and issue a new title. The damage is often unclear as the dealers may repair it externally. Thus a new title gets issued and buyers often give into this fraud because of the change of titles. Purchasing such car means you have to deal with loss in the future as you may have to repair the parts quite often.

Takeaway

One way to stay away from such cars is to get a VIN check report. This report gives you a greater insight on the condition of the car, how many accidents it has been in and what its current condition is. Thus, it can save you a good amount of money when purchasing used cars.

Getting a used car for yourself can definitely be one great thing. However, it is crucial to understand various frauds you may have to deal with when you decide to buy one. It is important to be informed about the above mentioned frauds and do a complete due diligence before you get your hands on the car. It will avoid you any trouble in the future and you can also get a car that’s perfect for you.

The post How to Recognize Used Car Fraud and Avoid It first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason

What is the Rollback of an Odometer?

The odometer can be rolled-back to take hundreds or even thousands of kilometers off the number shown, just like any part of a vehicle can be changed. This reading is a significant data point for potential customers, and sadly for many years, the odometer rollback has been a trap. Back in the day, an odometer rollback meant rolling back the numbers manually on a mechanical device that tracks the distance traveled by car. Odometers have since been automated, reaching the road in the early 2000s with the last round of mechanical odometers. By eliminating the vehicle’s circuit board to adjust the odometer reading, or by using a rollback device that hooks directly into the vehicle’s electronic circuit, digital odometers may be rolled back.

Odometer Rollback Fraud

It’s not just unfair to roll back an odometer, it’s a fraud. Moreover, the majority of countries have their own consumer protection laws which provide even more protection for car buyers. Some customers misconceive that the odometer scam was lost when the mechanical odometers were updated yesterday with the automated odometers of today. How can you manipulate the computer of your car, after all?

You can be surprised to discover that it is very simple, particularly for anyone with access to certain online instruments.

How The Dealers Does It, and Why?

Auto dealerships commit fraud with odometer to market high-mileage cars that could be hard to sell. It is possible to commit odometer fraud in many ways. A dealer can, for instance, control the count physically. If a prospective customer does not understand the use of odometer fraud, they will ultimately be fixed by an unreliable car.

ODOMETER ROLLBACK COMMON SIGNS

Replaced Odometer

Many car manufacturers insert digital odometers into their cars as a norm. But digital odometers are also susceptible to manipulation. These odometers must be removed from the dashboard and forwarded to a metering shop in order to be fixed. The car itself cannot be used when a digital odometer is being fixed. Sadly, a few distributors can still run a car without an odometer.

The digital odometer may also be left unadded by a dealer’s business. When seeing scratches around the odometer region or seeing fingerprints inside the odometer, ask if the scratches have been removed for repairs.

Unusual Wear and Tear

A vehicle’s visual appearance should align with the kilometers. This may be a signal of tampering if a car, for example, has reportedly 50,000 kilometers of the odometer, but spark plugs and other wires, which are normally over 100,000 miles, look older than they should.

On average, you should build up about 12,000 miles each year on your car. An unexplained low mileage per year can be an indication of the vehicle being manipulated. While considering the driving habits of the previous owners, you still need to examine the condition of the car cautiously.

Paperwork Fraudulence 

A comprehensive and well-recorded history of operation should be provided for all vehicles. The mechanic can take care of miles on the odometer if a car is fixed. If the oil is changed, for instance, the next time an oil change is required, a sticker is put on the windshield, to notify the owner.

Some businesses will want to apply incorrect readings of odometers to papers. You should take caution to buy a vehicle from this distributor if you find a service report has scratched out numbers or the reports may not fit the numbers on the odometer. A dealership may engage in odometer fraud in many other ways. A mechanic can be wise to check a car before you buy it.

How to Prevent Odometer Rollback Fraud?

The best part here is that it’s almost always possible to prevent odometer rollback fraud. It begins by investigating the vehicle and asking the seller certain questions concerning the car’s condition. These include concerns about the reading of the odometer. If the deal looks too good to be true, then your instincts are likely to be right. This is a warning sign too if the seller puts unreasonable pressure on you.

Shielding yourself from odometer rollback fraud is very easy. The following tips will help you reduce the risk of being a target of rolled-back odometer cars:

You will need to check with your local DMV office to see whether the vehicle you want to buy has any information on their record.

A VIN report is another step leading to the avoidance of vehicles with a rolled back odometer. The history of the car from the time it left the factory to the present is mentioned in this article.

Having the vehicle inspected by a certified mechanic is also highly recommended. Often choose an autonomous mechanic you trust. Don’t buy the vehicle if the dealer wants to have the vehicle inspected.

Make sure all the documents that you got from the seller have been scrutinized.

If You Get A Car With Odometer Fraud, What Can You Do?

In every state in the country, lemon laws cover new car buyers, but it is far more common for used-car buyers to get stuck with a faulty vehicle or to incur maintenance bills that cost more than the car. It always goes downhill from there for those unfortunate customers.

A surprising number of cars have rolled odometers and imprecise odometer reading disclosures on the title of the car. An argument under the federal tampering and disclosures governing odometer law is not based on a warranty, but on federal statutory requirements instead. Therefore, an erroneous mileage disclosure is actionable even when a used vehicle is sold as it is. It should be unsuccessful to try to make the buyer waive rights under federal law.

Anyone who breaches the federal odometer law in order to defraud is responsible for the attorney’s fees of the consumer plus more than $10,000 or treble real damages. The customer may be entitled to recover several minimum statutory compensation awards of $10,000 under certain situations.

Contact your local DMV office or the attorney general’s office in your county if you need help with car fraud issues.

The post Protecting Yourself from Odometer Rollback Fraud first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason

Avoid cars sold off the side of the road

If you notice a car parked off the side of the road with a “for sale” sign, this may be another curbstoner trying to scam you. Run and never look back. Curbstoners also park their cars on the shopping mall parking lots, abandoned parking lots and other funny places that are not legal for conducting a used car selling business.

Be cautious of the classified ads

While you can get a good used car deal from classified ads, you must also be aware that it is also a place where curbstoners conduct their business. When reviewing any classified ad, note the physical location and telephone number listed in the ads. Then look at other ads listed on the site. If they have the same phone number, it could be a sign of curbstoning.

Ask to see the title

When buying a used car, always remember to ask the seller to provide the title of the vehicle that he is selling. Curbstoners normally sell salvaged or flooded cars. If the seller refuses or fails to give you a title for that vehicle, they may be conducting curbstoning businesses and, therefore, you will need to walk away.

Look at the driver’s name

You may also ask the seller to provide his or her driver’s license to verify one or two issues. Make sure the driver’s name on the title is the one appearing on the driver’s license. If the name does not match, walk away from that deal.

Inspect the vehicle before you buy it

After verifying all the above information, you must inspect the vehicle to make sure it is road worthy. Hire a certified mechanic to inspect it before you exchange any money.

If you think you purchased a salvaged vehicle or flooded vehicle from a curbstoner, you can file a civil case and get your money back.

The post How to Avoid Curbstoning When Buying a Used Car first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason

Unfortunately, many people lack the technical knowledge to recognize problems in the car’s engine or other electrical components. This is what gives sellers of flood damaged cars an edge over ignorant vehicle buyers. They know that electrical components or engine problems are easier to conceal than exterior damage.

It is easy to spot flooded cars. Always order a VIN check for the car you intend to purchase. Flood damaged cars are supposed to be reported. If the car you intend to purchase was listed as a flood damaged vehicle, you would find the information included on the vehicle history report you ordered. A vehicle history report is also known as VIN report or VIN check.

Even if the vehicle history report for the car you intend to purchase does not report the flood issue, there are other things to look for when determining whether the car is flood damaged or not. You don’t have to be a certified mechanic to recognize that a car had been flooded before. You will need to use common sense. When you are shopping for a car, you will need to be suspicious if you see:

• New upholstery that does not match the carpeting.
• Rust under the brake or brake pedals.
• Rust in high places like trunk latches or door hinges.
• Mud or silt under the seats.
• Silt in the glove compartment.
• Damp floor carpeting.
• Dome light with beads of water.

There are also other measures you will need to use to determine whether the car you are purchasing had been flooded before. You will need to:

• Smell the vehicle’s interior. Moldy smell indicates that the vehicle might have been flooded before.
• Bend wires under the dashboard. After flooding, wires become brittle as sticks.
• Turn on the ignition to make sure accessory lights and dashboard warning lights illuminate properly.
• Test the heater, air conditioner, radio, turn signals and windshield wipers several times.
• Check whether the VIN on the doorjamb matches the one on the dashboard.

It is also a good idea for you to hire a certified mechanic to inspect the vehicle you intend to purchase. Most flood damaged cars are sold cheaply. Don’t be enticed by their prices. Simply walk away from such cars to avoid future financial burden and embarrassments.

The post How to Avoid Flood Damaged Cars first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason

How to spot airbag fraud

It is up to you to recognize and avoid airbag fraud since there are no protection measures in place. A good place to go for airbag safety and fraud education is a reputable auto repair shop. If your vehicle’s airbag light is on, this is a clear indication that something is wrong with your airbag. Another big warning of malfunctioning or damaged airbag is when the car’s seat belts are not retracting normally.

You will need to examine the space around the airbag compartment to see if there are any tears in the dashboard. If there are tears, then it is a big warning that airbag has been deployed.

It will be hard for you to determine whether the airbag has been deployed or is fake. You will, therefore, need to hire a certified mechanic to inspect the vehicle for you.

Installing airbag

If you have become a victim of airbag fraud, you must look for a trusted professional mechanic to install new airbags for you. Proper installation of airbags requires recalibrating the airbag system to respond in the exact time frame as originally intended by the manufacturer. If the installation is not done properly, they may still deploy late. You must also ask the installer to make other repairs after installing the airbag. Make sure they have put in sensors, new seat belts, and control modules. You must supervise the work to make sure everything is done with great care.

Finding out about the car’s airbag safety

Private companies such as VinFreeCheck have a database where a customer can check if the car they are buying has ever been involved in an accident that compromised the airbag safety. You can order a report of the vehicle that you want to purchase to verify if any damage had happened to the car seat-belts or airbag.

The post Airbag Safety & Airbag Fraud first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason

You will need to consider whether you want to buy a car from them. A buy here pay here dealership will be the last option after you have been rejected by all lenders. A new car from these dealers may look fine to you but consider the money you will lose if things turn upside down and the car is taken. You will save yourself from financial stress if you decide to purchase a used car from a private party instead of purchasing a new car from such dealers.

You will need to consider the purchase price of vehicles bought from buy here pay here dealerships. These dealers know that you are desperate for a vehicle, so they will often inflate their prices beyond what is listed on the Kelly Blue Book. Do your homework to make sure that you are getting the best deal.

Also, you need to review their interest rate carefully. You may buy a car thinking that you will pay 12%, and find the actual interest rate to be 20% or more. Make sure that the interest rate quoted is the same as the one pointed in the contract. So, you will need to ask the dealer to give you a copy of a signed contract to verify the interest rates and other agreements.

After verifying the interest rates, be sure that you can afford the monthly payment. According to the survey conducted in the US, about 40 percent of people who buy vehicles from buy here pay here dealerships default on their loan. So you will need to be conservative when making estimates on how much you can afford monthly.

The post Buying from a “Buy Here Pay Here” Car Lot first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason

The law requires dealerships who are selling vehicles with frame or structural damage to disclose the state to the car buyers. Disclosure must be done properly without hiding anything as stipulated by the consumer protection laws.

So, if you are shopping for a great used car, you will need to hire a certified mechanic to conduct frame and structural inspection. Other ways to determine the structural or frame damage include:

• Salvage Title: If the frame or structural damage were a result of a previous accident, the car should have a salvage title. By looking at the title, you will know whether the car has been involved in an accident that led to structural or frame damage.
• Look for recent paintwork: Taillights are covered with spray paint to conceal evidence of any frame damage which had taken place. This is one of the places that you will need to check to see whether the car was repainted or repaired.
• Check for the unevenness in the reflection: A new car has a smooth paint surface. But a repaired car, which had been involved in a serious accident that led to structural damage has some unevenness in the reflection.
• Radiator weld marks: If the car was involved in a serious collision, you will find it having some weld marks on its radiator.
• Gaps in lines: Check the car carefully for any gaps that may be present on the panels, trunk, hood or doors. If the gaps between the lines are uneven, then the car lining might have been fixed after a serious accident.

The post Car Frame Damage & Structural Damage first appeared on VinFreeCheck and is written by Jason Mason