| How many people have something to hide? More | | | | stolen. |
| to the point, how many cars have something to | | | | 3. INTUITION: Trust your instincts. If it sounds too |
| hide? It is reported that one in three used cars | | | | good to be true, it probably is. If you feel |
| has something to hide. It might just be a poor | | | | suspicious about a vehicle or the seller, walk away. |
| maintenance record from a lazy owner (and | | | | Even if the vehicle was not stolen, reconstructed |
| aren't we all lazy sometimes?) Or it could be | | | | after flood damage or older than it appears, it's |
| something more serious, such as damage from an | | | | not worth taking the risk. There are plenty of |
| accident or flood. Or it could be a stolen car. | | | | other used cars available. |
| Yes, thanks to the increasingly common practice | | | | 4. VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: Check the |
| of "used car cloning", you might by a stolen car | | | | VIN - Every vehicle sold has a VIN. This number |
| without even knowing it. Thieves take the vehicle | | | | should match the number on the title and |
| identification number or VIN from a legitimate | | | | registration. The VIN is located on the driver's side |
| vehicle and slap it on a stolen car. Because each | | | | above the dashboard, inside the driver door and |
| VIN is unique, the stolen vehicle becomes a clone | | | | under the hood. Look for any signs that these |
| of the legitimate one. Add some fake papers, and | | | | numbers could have been tampered with. If the |
| the thieves are ready to sell you a vehicle that | | | | windshield contains slight damages, such as |
| looks perfectly legal. | | | | scratch marks around the area, there is a strong |
| Here are five tips to protect yourself from | | | | possibility that the VIN has been replaced. If so, |
| becoming a car clone victim: | | | | the car is probably stolen. |
| 1. MAINTENANCE RECORDS: You should also | | | | 5. REGISTRATION PAPERS: The registration |
| inspect all maintenance records, which are not | | | | papers will give you some clues about the vehicle. |
| only a good way to see if the car was stolen, but | | | | Make sure the license plate on the car matches |
| also will give you a hint of how well the car has | | | | the numbers on the registration papers. Make |
| been taken care of. Checking the mileage over | | | | sure the owner's name matches the sellers - and |
| time on the maintenance records is one good | | | | ask for picture ID. |
| step to ensure that the seller did not tamper with | | | | The best way to ensure you don't end up with a |
| the odometer. | | | | stolen vehicle is to buy your used car from a |
| 2. LOW SALE PRICE: If the car seller is asking a | | | | reputable dealer. Not only will the chance of buying |
| ridiculously low price for the vehicle, inquire why. | | | | a problem vehicle be much smaller, resolving any |
| Smart buyers usually research car prices online | | | | issue will be much simpler if the need arises. |
| before purchasing. To check current car values | | | | And remember, if it looks too good to be true, if |
| simply search for a similar vehicle on a popular car | | | | it sounds too good to be true, if it feels too good |
| classified website. If the vehicles asking price is | | | | to be true ... it probably is. |
| significantly lower, be suspicious the car could be | | | | |