Certificates Of Title

A Brief Warning About Certificates Of Title -  Most states require that the title show if a vehicle has been totaled, flooded or salvaged (called branding).  Some states, however, allow these branded vehicles to be re-inspected and re-titled after passing an inspection.  Another way to hide vehicle history is to register the branded vehicle in a state that allows the practice.  Both actions result in a new clean title being sent to the owner.  Older original titles may not reflect a perfect car either.  If the original owner has totaled the vehicle, bought it back from the insurance company and repaired it, the original title won't reflect it.  Inspect the title of any prospective vehicle carefully, making note of the document's date of issue.  Examine a used car with a brand new title closely, and ask questions.  Sometimes the owner just lost the original, is not the original owner, or wanted a co-owner or leinholder removed from the document.  If you have any doubts, ask the owner for documentation (copy of old title, satisfaction of lien, bill of sale, or completed and dated title request form).

Experian AutoCheck Vehicle History Reports -  Don't make a $10,000 mistake! We highly recommend that you order an Experian AutoCheck Report for any used vehicle under consideration. It's your best protection against buying a used car with costly, hidden problems. With a database comprised of over 15 billion records on more than 330 million vehicles, Experian can help you protect yourself against title and odometer fraud, lemon cars, salvage vehicles and numerous other hidden conditions that can impact the safety and value of your next vehicle. Every US-registered vehicle is identified with a unique VIN number. Using that unique number, Experian researches the history of the vehicle while you wait, delivering a custom Vehicle History Report direct to your computer screen. Most of the dealer-only auctions in North America rely on Experian, that's why I personally recommend them to you.

Experian checks for possible problems using four distinct methods.

• First they check the title history files gathered from dealer-only auctions located across North America.  Lemons, previously totaled then rebuilt vehicles (salvaged), and victims of flooding will show up by checking vehicle title histories with auctions.

• State registration and auction records will also show previous fleet or rental car history as well as government or law enforcement service. Insurance company records will show if and when your vehicle has been involved in a claim settlement. Previous paint work, collision damage, flood history, theft, fire damage, or vandalism all show up by using the insurance industry database.

• State DMVs and repair shops also keep strict records relating to odometers and mileage when a vehicle is registered and inspected. Vehicles that have had their odometers replaced, cars imported from Canada or Europe, vehicles whose odometers have rolled over (gone over 100,000 miles), and vehicles that have had their odometers rolled back (tampered with) will all show up by checking these records.

• Franchised dealers and major repair chains keep detailed maintenance and service records on all vehicles that are presented for service.  Lemons, or cars with recurring mechanical problems will be discovered by using the manufacturer's and repair shop databases.  Your report will tell you where (which dealer), when (date of service), and how many times a vehicle was serviced during it's previous life.

Your initial Experian lemon check is FREE, just enter your car's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into the box located HERE. Once you've input the VIN, click the submit button, and your complimentary summary report will be generated. The summary information will include make and model details for your car, and the number of additional historical events available through Auto History. You will not be charged for your Auto History report until you click on one of the other Report Tabs that show more detailed information. I have used their service for many years and have never been disappointed. I would hate to see anyone make a $10,000 mistake!

Inspecting A Vehicle Without A Mechanic is covered on the next page >

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