When To Invest In A VIN History Report
Posted on: 25 August 2016
In order to make it easier to track vehicles throughout the country, each car that in manufactured is assigned a unique vehicle identification number (VIN). This VIN is used whenever an accident, flood, theft, or other problem occurs with the car. Buying a used car can be a bit intimidating, but knowing when to order a VIN history report to protect your interests can be beneficial.
Here are three reasons why you might want to invest in a VIN history report when purchasing a used vehicle in the future.
1. The car is priced below book value.
In order to help consumers determine how much they should be paying for a particular vehicle, a standardized set of questions helps to identify the book value of the car. When you are shopping for a used vehicle, you should be suspicious of a vehicle that appears to be priced way below its book value.
Selling a vehicle can be a great way to generate some much-needed income. If a seller is under-pricing his or her car, this could indicate that it has some serious problems they no longer want to deal with (or disclose to potential buyers). Running a VIN history check will help you identify any mechanical issues that could be causing the seller to price the vehicle low for a quick sale.
2. The car has some visible signs of body repair.
When you are evaluating a used vehicle during the purchasing process, you need to pay attention to more than just the mechanical condition of the vehicle. Be on the lookout for a peeling clear coat, uneven paint colors, or panels that don't fit properly. These could all be signs that the vehicle has had some body repairs in the recent past.
Body damage is typically sustained during an accident, and it could indicate the potential for mechanical failure in the future. If you spot signs of body damage, order a VIN history report before finalizing your purchase in order to protect your investment.
3. You want to negotiate a better price.
Having as much information about a vehicle's past as possible puts you in a better position when it comes to negotiating price. When you invest in a VIN history report, you gain access to vital information about any potential flaws in the vehicle's past.
You can use this information to get the seller to lower his or her asking price, which could potentially save you a significant amount of money on your next used car purchase.
Knowing when to order a free VIN history report will help you better navigate the used car buying process in the future.
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