Tips for Buying Used Cars: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Buying a used car can be like wandering the wild west, but your ClearVIN report can help you navigate to the exact location you’re looking for. With a vehicle history report from us, you will be armed with the knowledge necessary to make the right decision; the knowledge you can’t get from looking at the car, talking with the owner, or even taking it on a test drive. Here are some tips on how to use a vehicle history report to navigate the used car buying trails.

The Good

When you’re searching for a new-to-you car, it’s good to have a clear idea of what you’re looking for. Are you excited to find a car that needs no repairs? Maybe a new project car? Or perhaps you’re looking for something that needs minimal work. With a vehicle history report you’ll find out if the car was involved in an insurance claim, if was it ever stolen, what states it’s been titled in (maybe a region that uses a lot of salt during the winter, and that corrodes the undercarriage). Once you know these things, you’ll have a clear view before putting your money down.

The Bad

Let’s say you’ve found a car you’re interested in, and your test drive went fine. However, when you get a vehicle history report it still might come back with a title branding that could indicate it will be a money sink. For example, cars listed as having water damage may erode over time, becoming costly. Worse, you might find that the car was branded as Junk, making it not street legal in your state. Always research your local laws to discover how branding might affect you.

The Ugly

You’ve found a car that looks great, and your test drive went smoothly, but the price is just too good to be true. Unfortunately, sometimes it is. A quick view of a vehicle history report might indicate that the car is stolen. This is called VIN Cloning and involves someone placing a bogus VIN on the car. With a VIN report, you’ll be able to verify if the VIN is for that car. To sum up, it’s always advisable to reveal the car info by VIN and get a vehicle history report to avoid scams and make sure you get the car of your dreams. For those involved in business, we at ClearVIN can offer a car dealer report. Whatever you are looking for, we have the solution!