SELLERS CHECK LIST

Here's some general advice for those of you selling your cars:

Most of it is just common sense, and some of it may scare you about trying to sell your own car to strangers. I know most of the people you will be connecting with on this site, just as I know you, too. However, sometimes people find this site through other means. Call me if you would like to inquire about someone who calls you about your car, perhaps referred from this site.

By law, your vehicle must have a valid smog certificate in order to sell it. With new emission laws, repairs could be costly.

Try to always have someone else physically with you when selling your vehicle. If possible, make a copy of the potential buyer's driver license before they go on a test drive. Be careful! Every call you receive on your car could be a hazard to you... never tell anyone when you will or won't be at home, or if possible, don't divulge your home address. Many would-be thieves who are seeking a car like yours would possibly come back to take it later. This happened to one of my customers. Apparently the prospective buyer made a wax impression of his key, and came back later and stole his Honda Prelude. Your vehicle or personal property could be stolen, or your personal safety might be at risk.

When the potential buyer wants the vehicle checked out by his own mechanic, always accompany the buyer and your vehicle. If a buyer claims his own mechanic has discovered a high amount of additional repairs required, a second opinion might be a good idea.

Have all your DMV paperwork filled out properly. You could be liable for incorrect documentation that gets sent to the DMV. Notify the DMV and your insurance company immediately after the sale to eliminate your own liability should the vehicle be involved in an accident while still registered to you. Conduct the sale at a Bank or Credit Union, or AAA in order to eliminate the likelihood of fake cashier's checks and phony money orders. Don't accept personal checks, as they could be bad or payment could be stopped. Don't release the vehicle until all money has cleared the bank.

All these legitimate areas of concern are why I never get involved in helping a client negotiate a sale with a private owner.   A car may be just fine, but there's no way for me to tell, and I know of too many horror stories.  I work only with dealers I trust, and as often as possible I work with "Certified" cars, where I know they've been put through a battery of tests, and come with a warranty."

BUYER'S CHECKLIST 

Never be too emotional when buying a vehicle. Never let the selling party intimidate you to buy right away, as you might do best to check out ALL of your options.
Be cautious when buying a freshly repainted vehicle as you never know what is under that brand new paint! Have a professional check it out.

Never give cash for a vehicle until you have the clear title as a fair swap.

Check the ID No. (VIN#) on the title against that of the vehicle. They must match. If you deem necessary, have your mechanic inspect the vehicle before you buy it, and ask to see the service records. FYI: In a recent report by the DMV, odometer fraud is at a 10 year high.

Never buy a vehicle with an expired registration, as the vehicle is quite possibly NOT smog legal. Penalties could be costly (DMV fees have increased dramatically in recent years.) Don't buy the vehicle unless all the necessary DMV forms are completed and signed by the selling party. Incomplete or improperly filled-out forms could create a problem with registering the vehicle.

Never buy a vehicle that has SALVAGE marked on the title unless the price is VERY right. If you decide you don't like it, and then need to sell it, you will probably take a big loss.

Usually you can't get financing on a car with a salvage title. While you might be able to pay cash for it, if you need to sell it, it may be hard to find a buyer who can pay cash.