How to Tell if a Car Up For Sale is Stolen
1. Be on the lookout for any deal that seems "too good to be true".
2. When buying from a private individual, make sure his name matches the title and registration of the car.
3. Be wary of a seller with no fixed address, place of employment, or phone number.
4. Ask the seller for references about past financing and insurance on the vehicle. Verify the information with the bank, finance company, or agent.
5. Make sure the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate on the automobile's dash is present, secure, and has no loose rivets.
6. Check to make sure the VIN plate has not been repainted and the numbers stamped in the plate appear to be original factory numbers.
7. Make sure the VIN plate rivets are original. All 1970 and newer autos produced in North America have stainless steel "rosette-shaped" rivets with six petals and a hole in the middle. They are difficult to scratch with a knife.
8. Thieves may remove the VIN plate and replace it with one from a similar wrecked vehicle. If you are doubtful about plate authenticity, check with a new car dealer that handles the same model, or contact a law enforcement agency.
9. The VIN on the dash must match the VIN on the registration, title, and federal safety inspection sticker on the driver's door.
10. If the VIN plate is scratched, bent or missing rivets, suspect tampering.
11. Make sure the federal safety inspection sticker, located on the driver's door or door jam, is securely in place and none of the numbers appear to be tampered with.
12. Beware of loose dashboards.
13. An excessively loose ignition switch may suggest tampering. Check the switch for chisel or pull marks.
14. Be cautious of a fresh paint job on a newer vehicle. This may indicate an attempt to change the car's identity.
15. Check the inspection and license plate registration stickers to be sure they are current and issued by the same state.
16. If the seller provides you with only copied keys, not the original manfacturer's keys, for a newer model car, be suspicious.
17. Titles and registrations are frequently counterfeited. Therefore, ask to see the title before paying, and make sure it matches the registration. By completing all paperwork at the time of sale, you avoid giving the thief extra time to obtain counterfeit documents.
18. Question the seller if the registration was recently issued on an older vehicle.
19. Compare the engine identification numbers with all other VIN numbers to make sure they match.
20. Be wary of new license plates on an old car, or new plate bolts on an older plate.
Related Tags: stun guns, pepper spray, car theft, auto theft
Fabiola Castillo is a professional online marketer. Her virtual store, NinjaCOPS.com, specializes in selling pepper spray, kubatons, stun guns, nunchaku, Air Tasers, home security equipment, and many other self defense products.
If you are looking for wedding favors such as photo glass coasters, heart-shaped compact mirrors, wine bottle stoppers, and more, visit Yolandas Wedding Favors. They'll take care of you guaranteed.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Metal Detector Can Save Lives
Wars and unexpected accidents have been one of the many issues that have been unavoidable in the liv - Discover How Pool Float Toys Affect Your Summer Vacation
Hot. This is a perfect description what summer is. It is a feel-good time for families to enjoy a nu - Luxury Watch For Your Loved Ones and Yourself
Whether it's a birthday celebration, anniversary, Christmas or even just an ordinary day receiving g - Why Purchase Swiss Army Watches?
Wearing a wristwatch or having a pocket watch is a very important accessory of a person because it t - Personalized Groomsmen Gifts : Engraved Groomsmen Mugs
Giving something personalized for your groomsmen is a wonderful idea to let your friends feel that t - A Few Helpful Baby Shower Tips
Baby showers are wonderful occasions that usually create lasting memory for both expectant parents a - Discount Groomsmen Gifts That You Can Purchase Online
Weddings are special and memorable occasions that should be planned well, and one of the most vital - How to Wear a Knee Boot
A lot of women today are trying to integrate a knee boot into their fashion style because they are a - Wearing a Knee Boot
A knee boot is definitely something you should be investing on most especially during the cold seaso - Finding Cheap Skis
If you are a fan of various water sports, you are probably one of those people who have been in the
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Capitalism Under Attack: Petrodollars, Petroeuros and the Iranian Oil Bourse
"This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous [...]. Havi - One Percenters
Hells Angels Inc is the most successful enterprise of its kind in Canada.In 2000 they moved into Ont - Monogamy: Is She My One and Only?
Copyright © 2007 Susan Adams After decades of matchmaking experience, years of being active in - The Best Of Oprah's Favorite Things
Oprah's annual Favorite Things show has been causing a frenzy with fans for the past six years. But - Researching British Soldiers Who Served in the 1914-18 Great War
At In the footsteps BATTLEFIELD TOURS we occasionally receive enquiries about how to trace the recor - Reefer Madness Replaced by Hydro Hysteria
In the 20's there was Reefer Madness, now we have the 21st century version; Hydro Hysteria. Mari - How Can Society Stop Sexual Predators
Perhaps society holds the lowest regard of all for sex predators, those evil men who prey on that wh - Making Communication Work For Your Relationship
Brooke said to Gary, "In our entire relationship, I've gone above and beyond for you … for us. I co - How To Attract And Seduce Women Using The 'Unmask Method'
When it comes to meeting, attracting and seducing women, most guys don't know where to start. But th - How to Keep Your Man Feeling Lucky and Happy
Your Good Man hopes that you will remain the loving, beautiful, feminine, kind, sexy American Geisha