How Do You Avoid Buying A Hot Car?
Not all stolen cars are wrecked or carted off to the chop shop for parts. Thieves have found that for a little trouble, they can roll back the odometer and sell a stolen car in the newspaper for a song. If you’re the unlucky buyer and the car is eventually tracked down, too bad for you. Here’s how to avoid buying a stolen vehicle. Step 1 Ask yourself why this car is going for such a great price. Has it been wrecked or flood-damaged? Has someone tampered with the mileage? Is the car hot? Step 2 Check the seller’s name and address against the information on the title and registration. Step 3 Verify who financed the car and who insures it. Step 4 Examine the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate. This is located on the driver’s side dash close to the windshield, and can be viewed from outside. Scratches, dents or loose rivets indicate tampering. A magnifying glass may help. Step 5 Make sure the VIN matches the number on the title. Step 6 Be suspicious of a fresh paint job. While some
