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Study Used Car Terminology Before You Buy
All major purchases--like cars and houses--can seem intimidating at first. You might begin your search and find that there many words and phrases that simply do not make sense to you. What is Curbstoning? What is a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle? Should I be wary of buying a car from an Automotive Recycler? To help prevent you from accidentally making a bad decision when buying a used car, here are some terms to know and understand ahead of time:
- Damage Disclosure: This is when a car owner reports damage to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Since the extent of damage can range from minor to quite severe, have any car in this category rigorously inspected before you buy it.
- Certfified Pre-Owned Vehicle: Some used cars have passed certain tests and therefore meet higher standards than other used cars. You should still thoroughly check out these programs as they can vary greatly and may be used as a selling tool by a car dealership.
- Curbstoning: This is someone who purchases large volumes of used cars, obtains a 'dealer license' and then passes them off to unsuspecting buyers at a large profit. This practice is illegal in most states.
- Dismanted Title: A vehicle with this type of title has been so severely damaged it cannot be returned to to road. Never buy a car with this designation, even if it looks OK to you.
- Automotive Recycler: Many of these used cars have been totaled in crashes. They may be rebuilt and sold again or scrapped for metal. You should use extreme caution when dealing with an automotive recycler.
- Other useful terms to aid you in buying a used car can be found online at Carfax.com.
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