ÜberFly Posted October 8, 2011 Posted October 8, 2011 Mom & Dad's car died last week so they are looking to buy a used vehicle (not sure if through a dealership or private sale, at this point...). Dad and I went out this morning to look at one and it seems to be in pretty good shape (if we get to a point where we will consider purchasing it we will take it to our mechanic, etc.). The guy that is selling it moved up here from Georgia to Windsor, Windsor to Calgary (said his family purchase the car new, etc. in Georgia) - also had all the upgrades needed to bring it into Canada (daytime running lights, miles to kms, etc.). I know there is a way to check out (at least) the registration/ownership in the USA. Can anyone tell me how I have a little bit of info I'm looking at expanding (car fax/car proof?)... Thanks, Peter Quote
muha Posted October 8, 2011 Posted October 8, 2011 Carfax will show all the info about the vehicle, be carefull of salt damage if it is from east. Most cars look decent but check under plastic mOldings for any corosIon, doors are easiest to check. Quote
Guest 420FLYFISHIN Posted October 8, 2011 Posted October 8, 2011 i second car fax, i used to work at a used car lot and we had the car fax reports on all our units. Quote
ÜberFly Posted October 8, 2011 Author Posted October 8, 2011 I just pulled the Carfax report and for the most part it seems ok... A couple of things that stand out. Registered in both Georgia and Windsor which is consistent with what the seller has stated... Then when it details it's registration in Windsor on 08/07/2009, it lists that it passed safety inspection, the correct color, that it has been registered in New York (but then that doesn't show up on the report?! Huh?!), and it also lists the mileage as 40,049 kms. Then it states that between 08/02/2009 & 02/02/2010 the odometer reading was reported with ~9000 LESS Kms (which could be a clerical error, I suspect). We have confirmed that it presently has ~ 50,000... Do you think this is a red flag?! Also says he shipped it out here from Windsor... Obviously the Alberta registration doesn't show up in this report as he says it was only registered last week (easy enough to check at any registry, plus he has a valid license on the vehicle, etc.)... P Quote
Guest 420FLYFISHIN Posted October 8, 2011 Posted October 8, 2011 it sounds good to me, i bet some one did the wrong math when going from miles to Km or just a bit of clerical error as you said. Quote
Avalanche Posted October 9, 2011 Posted October 9, 2011 Make sure it's actually registered and just doesn't have an Alberta plate stuck on it. An out-of-province inspection is not cheap. I'm not sure why someone would go through the OOP inspection and turn around and sell the car a week later... Quote
ÜberFly Posted October 9, 2011 Author Posted October 9, 2011 Dale, I'm still curious about why the report says "Registered in New York"?! Maybe that was where it crossed the boarder?! And he is selling it b/c he wants something bigger... P Make sure it's actually registered and just doesn't have an Alberta plate stuck on it. An out-of-province inspection is not cheap. I'm not sure why someone would go through the OOP inspection and turn around and sell the car a week later... Quote
muha Posted October 9, 2011 Posted October 9, 2011 I would avoid this vehicle, and look for something else. Plenty to choose from in any price range. Don't get stuck with a single offer, keep looking you'll run into something better. Too many things about this vehicle to be considered somewhat safe. Few weeks back i looked at a toyota echo that looked dandy until i opened the hood and saw wierd corrosion. After the carfax i found that it was going back and forth through east coast provinces. Was registered over six times, and had wAter damage in the engine compartment, it was saltwater cOrrosion. This was a '07-'08 car. Reason for selling, wife needs a bigger car...yeah right buddy Quote
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