According to a recent data from the FBI, more than 700,000 vehicles are stolen each year across the United States. Surprisingly, most of them are not luxury cars but ordinary budget cars. Many unsuspecting buyers land themselves in troubles because of the devious tactic thieves use in procuring and selling off such cars or their cannibalized parts. The first thing these criminals do is to tamper with the VIN, either by using a false one or clone. Here’s a quick look at how to stay safe from such illegal activities.
Know the Seller
If you’re shopping for a used car for the first time, it is important to spot a stolen car put up for sale. You just ought to know what and where to look for. Let’s start with the seller. How trustworthy is the seller? Perhaps that is not easy to tell. It depends on whether you are buying from a well-known dealership, online auction, or some nondescript individuals. Some research and background check of the seller always help.
Do a VIN Check
Inspect the vehicle you’re interested in for any suspicious indications. Do a VIN number check yourself or have a certified mechanic do it on your behalf. Check the VIN on the vehicle and see whether it matches with what’s on the title. A random VIN check will bring to light if the vehicle was a stolen one. A trained mechanic can help identify anything odd that has been done to the vehicle or any mechanical problems. The inspection will also make clear whether there are any aftermarket parts on the vehicle or any prior damage done.
Obtain Vehicle History Report
You can also verify the car’s history with the help of online providers of vehicle history reports. It is always recommended to check a vehicle's history through a reliable site that provides nationwide VIN check service. These sources give valuable information on every used vehicle and tell buyers whether a vehicle is worth it. Or else, you can check a VIN number through the database available with the National Insurance Crime Bureau to find out if the vehicle with that VIN was reported stolen by anyone in recent times. This service with the NICB is free of cost and it is a convenient tool to protect buyers from purchasing stolen vehicles.
Closing Remarks
When you educate yourself like this on dealing with stolen vehicles head-on, you will always be in safe hands. So, to reiterate the points discussed above, whenever you’re out to buy a used car or any other vehicle for that matter, don’t forget to do a VIN check on the vehicle. Also get it inspected by a professional mechanic who will diagnose the vehicle and tell you everything that’s wrong with it. Last but not least, use the service of a reputable vehicle history report provider online. Sometimes price of a used vehicle is not everything. Think about it.
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