Related Questions from DMV Answers

• Are there any used car laws that protect a buyer if the car turns out to be a le...

  Yes, some states extend their "Lemon Law" protection to new owners of used cars. Additionally, you may be protected if the car is still fairly new with low mileage; that way, it may still be covered under your state's Lemon Law for new cars (even though you bought it as a used vehicle).However, keep in mind that used car laws can be complex, and you will need to follow strict guidelines. For instance, just because you're unhappy with a car's performance doesn't necessarily qualify you for Lemon Law protection. There will have to be a pattern of repeat repair attempts either on the same problem, or different problems but within a limited amount of time.Your state's attorney general's site is often a good source for this information. Sometimes, you can learn about used car Lemon Laws on your state's motor vehicle division site. And, some attorney sites have this information, too.
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• Do car dealers provide you with a free car history report?

  There is no law mandating that dealerships selling new and used cars must provide a free car history report. It's a dealership decision. Some, you'll find, will voluntarily provide a free VIN Check on a used car, while others won't. If a free vehicle history report is not offered, it is in your best interest to order one on your own before making a decision. The process is easy and takes but minutes. By submitting the VIN from the car you're considering, you'll receive an extensive background report providing the following information: Previous owners Accident history Odometer reading Lemon history Emissions inspections results Salvage titles (if any) Titling and registration information Hail or flood damage Previous use (taxi, rental, police) With the report you'll be able to keep the seller honest. You'll find a long list of vehicle history report companies on the Internet. All will provide the same information, but the reputable companies will provide you with a thoroughly res...
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• Does a car history report tell me the names of all past owners?

  A vehicle history report will list the number of owners, but not the names. According the the 1994 Drivers Privacy Protection Act, it is illegal for third parties, such as car history report companies, to disclose names and contact information on a VIN Check. Previous owner names can only be released only in special matters involving public safety and legal situations. The dearth of other information released in a VIN Check more than compensates for the lack of direct names. Through your a car's 17-character VIN you can find out information on: Lemon history Hail and flood damage Salvage titles Previous number of owners Accident history Registration and titling information Previous use (rental, taxi, police) Emissions inspection results You can find numerous car history report companies on the Internet. Make sure you choose a reputable company. The better known companies gather information from a massive database, totaling thousands of sources, from police and...
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• What does the VIN stand for, is there some sort of VIN decoder?

  A VIN is your car's version of a fingerprint. There is no randomness behind the 17 characters that comprise a VIN number. Each character, or combination of characters, possesses a specific identifying purpose. For example, the first character represents the vehicle's nation of origin. The number 1 means the United States and the number 2 signifies Canada. Whereas J represents Japan and G Germany. The second character signifies the car's manufacturer. The third character reveals the car's make. Characters four through eight carry a wealth of information, indicating the vehicle's body type, restraint system and engine code. The ninth character, known as the check digit, is used by experts to check for tampering. The 10th character represents the vehicle's model year (M stands for 1991, N for 1992, P for 1993...). The 11th character indicates assembly locations. And the remaining characters are production sequence numbers.If you own a vehicle manufactured prior to 1981, its VIN wi...
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• How can I order a VIN check report?

  The process is shockingly easy. You can find a wealth of Vin Check sites on the Internet, offering comprehensive vehicle history reports.All you need to order is the vehicle's VIN number and a credit card. After submitting the VIN you'll receive a vehicle history report within minutes. On the report you'll find a vehicle's complete history: registering and titling record, ownership sequence, prior use (rental or taxi service), accidents, odometer readings, flood or hail damage, lemon history and emissions inspection results. This is important information to possess while shopping for a used car. With it you can verify or refute a buyer's claims, allowing you to shop with confidence and peace of mind. Conversely, it also helps while playing the role of seller. A VIN Check helps establish a price based on true market value and can be used to erase any doubts in a potential buyer's mind. Be sure, before deciding on a vehicle history report, that you order from a recognized source....
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