It’s a risky deal to buy a used car; you never know what it has been through and what minor inconvenience you may encounter after the purchase. It may sound like a minor issue on paper, but the same minor things matter a lot in the long run.
It will be annoying nevertheless and might also develop into something big. Many people prefer buying a used car because they get a well-built car for a lot less money.
Moreover, it’s a must to do Revs Check to know how their condition was maintained. You can’t go for looks alone as looks can be and have been deceiving.
So here are some points as to why it is important to check the history of a used vehicle before purchasing.
Uncover the history
VIN or Vehicle Identification Number is a 17 character long serial number that is unique to each and every vehicle. VIN helps to see the history of the car from the day it was manufactured.
The unique pin holds records of maintenance and any prior accidents. You can find the VIN either on the side of the dashboard (driver’s side) in the windshield or on the driver’s side door jam. Whereas on a motorbike, it will be on the steering head.
Many automobile services companies provide professional VIN research that will uncover the truth. VIN research is not a free service, but neither is it expensive. We strongly recommend that you do VIN research as it will save you time, resources, and even money.
This will show you how frequently the vehicle has been maintained and maybe even the ones who performed the servicing.
There are a lot of things to check while buying a used car, such as flood, fire, and other damage. History records also hold information about flooding.
Even if the seller lives in a desert, it doesn’t mean that the car is free of flooding. Flooding affects the vehicle’s sensitive electronics, which is one of the reasons it is important to check the history of a used vehicle.
Uncovering the history also reveals the title of the vehicle; most of the used cars have a ‘clean’ title but are entitled as ‘rebuilt’ and ‘salvage’ which are basically not a good deal. ‘Clean’ vehicles are free of any financial issues, whereas the latter titles have either been in an accident or written off as a total loss.
Avoiding Problems and Traps
A car history check holds records for odometer problems, outstanding finance, and other important issues. A complete car inspection by a professional mechanic will save you from any issues you might encounter in the future.
Some sellers might even change the odometer to make the car appear as if it has lower mileage; a history check helps you avoid such fraudulent schemes. Some extreme frauds might even hide some reconditioning or even manipulate the title; a vehicle history report will help you avoid such traps.
Checking the tires, inspecting the vehicle in broad daylight for scratches and mismatching paint, checking transmission and engine oil, checking braking fluids, etc., will save you a ton of future issues and unnecessary expenditures. It also reveals the past owners of the vehicle, one used by a company will definitely have been used to extreme limits in comparison to one owned by an individual.
Furthermore, a car that has been in an accident or two will have some primary or minor damages that affect its safety; it’s almost guaranteed. Being cautious of such issues might just save your life.
A detailed inspection helps you to know if or what accidents the vehicle has been through, along with the mileage of the vehicle. Modern cars surpass the 100,000 miles mileage, which limits the predecessors. Knowing the mileage of a car is a piece of useful information as it will help you to have an idea on how to treat and service your car. Moreover, it also gives you an idea of the wear and tear the car has been through. Thus, uncovering the history report is always advantageous.
Another thing that a history check reveals is the deployment of the airbags; it indicates that the vehicle has been through a major accident, and while the damage has been repaired, there might still be unseen scars left.
The airbags might have been reinstalled perfectly, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. This is where the repair records play their part; they help you know the damages the vehicles have been through.
Vehicle history reports help you avoid plenty of problems and will help you have a rough idea if the vehicle will last for the years to come. Unfortunately, being cautious of fraud and traps is not enough, as people are always looking for a quick way to make money.
A detailed vehicle history inspection or VIN research will help you avoid such mishappenings, saving you a lot of time, effort, and money.
