Buying A Car That Needs To Be Shipped

Dear Miss Mota Mouth,

I am planning on buying a car that I found online but it has to be shipped because it is out of state. What is the process for this?

Eric in Idaho

According to eBay, 70% of the cars sold on that site are sold across state lines so buying cars that are not local to you is increasingly common because buyers are realizing that some cars are cheaper in other parts of the country or have had kinder climates that have kept them in better condition.

First you should get it inspected by a qualified mechanic- http://www.inspectmyride.com has a national network of mechanics who will go do a full inspection on your behalf and you don't have to be there.

For payment, consider using a service like escrow.com which will take care to insure that payment clears and that they car is being sold in stated condition. They will even do the tax, title and license for you and you and the buyer can split the cost because it protects you both.

As for transportation companies- you will have to decide if you want a covered transporter or not and cost will determine what you decide in the end but it is advisable to get good digital pictures of the car before it goes on the truck just protect you. Many transporters can provide additional insurance but make sure that it covers everything that you may worry about.

That pretty much sums it up- good luck!

Stumble It!

How to Sell a Car That Has Been in an Accident

Dear Miss Mota Mouth,

I have a 1999 BMW 323i, which was involved in an accident. The price of the car without the accident would have been around $7000. Now with the accident the price will be no more than $3000.

What are the proper steps to selling the it. I want to post it on Craigslist or any other site. But, besides that, what papers do I need and/or any other legal documents?

Joe in NY

Dear Joe,

It looks like you have done you research and have realistically priced your car closer to trade-in value than retail value. You can check the value of cars successfully sold online like you’re here for free.

To sell a car that has been in an accident it is essential that you are completely upfront about damage that can be seen and any potential unseen damage. To do that in a way that will make buyers feel most comfortable might be to have an inspection done ahead of time and on hand. www.inspectmyride.com is one of the companies who will come to your home or work and do just that.

As for the paperwork once you have found your buyer: You will need to provide the title to the buyer and sign it over to them once they have paid you. They will need to provide proof of financial responsibility in order to register the car in their name so you may want to accompany them to the DMV to make sure that they do that or you will be liable for the car until it is properly registered by them.

The NY DMV also likes to see a bill of sale which you can print from here.

Good luck!
M

Stumble It!

Buying Online and the "As Is" Rule

Dear Miss Mota Mouth,

This past spring I bought a car from an individual online. He is in Texas and I am in North Dakota. I asked a lot questions before agreeing to buy it. It seemed like a good deal on a used 1999 Volvo with pretty low mileage.

I flew to Texas and checked the car over myself to make sure that it was as he had described it, liked what I saw and drove it home. When it got cold enough to turn on my heater I discovered that it didn’t work. The mechanic is now telling me that the heater core needs to be replaced at a pretty big expense! I called the guy in Texas and he won’t call me back! What should I do?

Mark R., Fargo, ND

________________________________________________________________

Dear Freezing in Fargo,

I have been to Texas in both late spring and summer and can understand why you wouldn’t have given the heater a test drive on a swampy 100 degree day! Unfortunately you will probably have to pony up for the replacement heater core because the bill of sale would have stated that the car was bought “as is”. Even if you had thought to test the heater it might have worked because he could have used a dose of radiator stop leak additive to temporarily cover up any issues.

This is a great example of why paying for a local mechanic to a car to do an inspection is such a solid idea. Is there a silver lining? Because you bought a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) and not a dealer you probably got a good deal so the extra expense of replacing the heater core will probably still keep you ahead in savings.

Warmly,

M

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Buying For Sale By Owner Cars

Dear Miss Mota Mouth,

I need a car and I see used ones in classified ads that look affordable. I can ask but it doesn’t mean the owner will tell me the truth! How do I know if the car has ever been in an accident? And if so, how can a person tell?

Paul D., Ontario, CA

Dear Curious in California,

Education! Education! Education, eh! (Oh wait! You must be in Ontario, California! If you are Canadian, see the bottom of the answer.)

There are a couple of key ways to find out if a car has ever been in an accident and doing both is a good investment for your peace of mind and safety.

When looking at used cars and buying from an individual seller it is always a good idea to get a third party report such as Experian AutoCheck. By analyzing the Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, these reports can reveal the number of owners, potential odometer roll back, salvage title, collision history and even if it was registered as a taxi or rental car.

Additionally, getting a third party inspection performed by a service such as http://www.inspectmyride.com/ or a mechanic that you trust can reveal a lot about a vehicle. Qualified mechanics and inspectors can tell you if the frame is straight and whether the car has had any bodywork done on it as well as verify that it is in good running shape.

Without these to protect you it is possible that you could end up with a lemon so Buyer Beware and get these important checks done!

BTW- If you were in Ontario, Canada you should use Carfax for any VIN reports.

Prudently,

M

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