… even if it’s not an antique, this chart will help you to interpret the present owner’s statements, or his ad:
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I think we here could add a few…
It ran when we parked it…Won’t run without a complete rebuild
Just needs a starter…Doesn’t start, no clue what’s wrong
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Needs freon…Needs complete AC rebuild
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If I’m buying a used car, I worry a lot less about the mechanical condition of the vehicle itself than I do about the risk of hidden liens on the title. Mechanical problems are almost always fixable. Title problems, not so much.
And I have found, on numerous occasions, that a prospective vehicle purchase had hidden lien(s) on the title, for things like online title loans, child support arrearages, parking violations, criminal fines/restitution, etc. And each time, when I brought this to the seller’s attention, they acted like they had no idea what I was talking about, because they had a paper title with no liens on it.
Here in Arizona, liens can be added to a vehicle title electronically, which obviously won’t show up on the seller’s paper copy. Hence, why the state offers a lien search website, which anyone thinking of buying a (private party) use vehicle should visit BEFORE handing over the money!
This does not apply to certified used cars sold at dealerships, right ? I buy mainly from dealerships.
Reading your stuff has enlightened me on the subject. Thanks for sharing.
“Just needs the oxygen sensor, and it’s in the trunk” - This thing will never pass emissions
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Certified by who? and exactly what is Certified?
Its it “Certified to be a Car” or is it “Certified to be a Car” that will run for XXX miles without repairs"?
Certification is worthless unless there’s someone willing and able to stand behind it with a warranty
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This complicated life we all have to deal with makes knowing things for sure difficult , but I think if you buy a used car from a new car dealer, you’d be pretty safe to assume the title is ok. I’d be more concerned about verifying the title if buying from a private sale, auction, or from a used car lot. If you need a loan to buy the car the lending company is on your side as well.
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Buying a factory certified car from a dealership should be safe, they buy leased cars from the finance arm or bank and want a clean title. Well established used car lots can be a good place. we have a few that have been around for years and would encourage buyers to do a mechanic’s inspection and take a long enough test drive to be sure they’re buying the right vehicle.
Co-worker went back to the place he bought his Crown Victoria from for a newer car for his better half. Just didn’t have anything new enough for the credit union to loan on. Owner of the dealership used to run the Cadillac/Pontiac dealer when it was downtown and switched to his own lot in the mid 80’s.
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Car dealers are licensed and regulated by your states Department of Motor Vehicles. If there is an issue with a vehicle’s title, the DMV enforcement division will make sure the dealer handles the problem.
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Sometimes. Our friends bought a RAV4 from the local CarMax, got temporary plates, and drove it home. Unfortunately, the state would not approve the permanent registration. The car was parked for a couple months while the issue was sorted out. It turned out that the car was stolen in Connecticut. Once the issue was settled, CarMax traded the stolen car for a one year newer one with less mileage at no cost to our friends. IMO CarMax handled a bad situation properly but it never should have come to that. They obviously did not check the title well enormously, if at all.
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They might have added that to their check moving forward, That might be one of the checks that they told me about… 
Just glad they took care of your friends…
From a random vehicle…
Highly doubtful a legitimate, ie not a buy here pay here, dealership will sell a car with a pending lien. If being financed, the financing institution will do a lien search.
It’s possible, just unlikely.
I just read the post about Carmax, so yes I guess it happens!