Would you buy a used car–with cash–from someone you just met in the bar, and who walked you down a dark alley to show you the car? Not likely. How about from a well-dressed, friendly, middle-aged man or woman, who placed a classified ad in your local newspaper, and who meets you midday at a restaurant of your choice?

Oops! You may be more likely to be cheated by seller number two. That’s the story of Jennifer Warwa, who bought a minivan and had her mechanic examine it. The mechanic later said how shocked he was that Jennifer had been scammed:

“Because I met the gentleman who was selling the vehicle. Very clean cut. In his fifties. Very soft spoken…. And he went with her to get it inspected. There was just no sign that was the kind of person he was” the mechanic told CBC’s Marketplace.

A few months later, Jennifer got a phone call from the police. They said she had purchased a stolen minivan, and they were coming to seize it. She was so upset, she tried to hide the van from the police. Eventually they caught up with her and she ended up paying for a year and a half for a $5,000 bank loan on a van she could not drive. Ouch!

Jennifer was just one victim in the chain that included the original owner, the insurance company, other consumers whose insurance rates keep rising, and the police, who spend thousands of hours tracking thefts. According to the FBI, a vehicle is stolen about every 25 seconds in the USA, amounting to an $8 billion yearly problem.

Here’s how these scams often work. Thieves target particular cars: for their value, their ease of resale as a whole or in parts, or because they are easier to steal. Years ago, most cars were stripped for parts, including unusual parts such as airbags. But today some thieves are so brash they sell cars through newspapers.

This newer scam is called “VIN cloning”, because the Vehicle Identification Number is stolen from another car. Criminals obtain VINs by copying them from the dash of cars in parking lots–even at dealerships. Some even physically remove the VIN plate from vehicles in auto salvage yards that allow customers to “pick your own parts.” (They do not mean that literally!) The number is used to falsely obtain new ownership documents, or documents are forged. Either way, a cloned VIN allows them to transform stolen cars into pseudo- legal vehicles that can be officially titled and sold. Many thieves work across state lines: cars may be stolen in the East, registered in the Mid-West, then sold in California. Scary!

Here’s what you can do to avoid buying a stolen car:
** Check the VIN on the dash against the VIN in the driver’s door jamb, under the hood, and on the paperwork
** Use the VIN to get the car’s history at carfax.com for about $20
** Ensure title and registration documents match the name and address of the seller
** Is the car from out of state?
** Be suspicious if you must meet a private seller in a parking lot. Better to see that they live at the address where the car is registered
** Has the vehicle recently been transferred?
** Does the seller use a home or work phone number, or just a cell?
** Is the selling price oddly low?
** Be warned that some used car dealers are getting scammed, too
** Pay by certified cheque or money order, not cash.

Keep in mind that most private sellers are not thieves, but rather honest, regular folks like you. And prices do tend to be lower with private sales. So if you follow my advice, you can greatly improve your chances of driving away with a “genuine” used car.

We’ve got more tips for saving money at http://www.usedcars.biz
About the Author

Will YOU get scammed on your next car purchase? Michael Trusthold writes for http://www.usedcars.biz and has bought and sold used cars for profit for many years. For more scam prevention TIPS and handy checklists for used car buying and selling, visit UsedCars.biz.

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

It always happens at the worst times! You need to know how to change a tire even if you have an auto club membership. Depending on where you get a flat, there may not be a phone nearby to call a tow truck. Let’s take is step by step and always remember to read your owners manual, there will be detailed instructions relating to your car there. I should mention also a few tips for getting to the side of the road safely if you have a blowout on the road.

• Stay calm, do not panic
• Slowly take your foot off of the gas and let the vehicle coast to a stop.
• Do not make any sudden braking or steering actions.
• Put your flashers on to alert other drivers.
• Now that you are safely off of the road.

Step 1: Make sure you are on firm level ground and away from traffic. If you are not, then try to drive to a better spot, but only if you can do it safely. Avoid going back onto the road and into traffic.

Step 2: Set your emergency brake and put the car in Park or 1st gear if you have a manual transmission. Make sure the engine is turned off.

Step 3: Locate the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. These are usually located in the trunk underneath the carpet on cars. Trucks usually have the jack and lug wrench behind the seat or under the hood, with the spare tire under the bed.

Step 4: Typically there are instructions printed on the jack or somewhere near the storage compartment. Read these instructions, they will tell you where to jack the vehicle and any special steps you will need to take.

Step 5: First remove the hubcap or wheel cover. The lug wrench often has a flat end, which you can use to pry off the cover. If not, a screwdriver will work just fine.

Step 6: Before you jack the car up you will want to break loose the lug nuts. The weight of the car will keep the wheel from spinning and allow you to apply more force to the nuts. You do not want to completely remove the lug nuts yet…. just break them loose. Once the lug nut begins to move, STOP and move onto the next one. I often carry a small pipe, which will fit over the lug wrench. This pipe can provide additional leverage and allow you to get those stubborn lug nuts off. Always remember righty tighty, lefty loosy. Turn the lug nuts left or counter clockwise to loosen.

Step 7: Now it’s time to jack up the car. Make sure you know where the manufacturer has placed jacking points by reading the owners manual or the instructions near or on the jack. Most cars will have a reinforced lip where the jack can be placed. If you can not locate this, look for a solid portion of the frame to jack on. Make sure the jack is on firm level ground and start jacking. Take it slowly and only go as far as you need to get the wheel off.

Step 8: The wheel is off the ground and it’s time to remove the lug nuts. Use the wrench or your fingers to remove the nuts. Slowly take the wheel off and set it to the side.

Step 9: Get the new wheel and put it on the car. Tighten the lug nuts as tight as you can without the wheel spinning. Don’t worry about getting the nuts super tight, as you will do the final tightening when the car is off of the jack.

Step 10: Let the car down off of the jack and get your lug wrench. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern if there are five nuts. Start with one lug nut and skip the next one until they are all tight. If you have 4 nuts, just tighten the opposite nut from where you started and then the remaining two in any order.

Step 11: Replace your wheel cover or hubcap and clean up the jack, lug wrench and blown tire. If your spare tire had air in it, you should be able to continue your journey.

Finally: Remember if you have a temporary spare tire (AKA doughnut) you can only drive a few miles to a service station and usually not over 50 MPH.

About The Author

Kevin Schappell maintains http://www.carbuyersclub.com where he gives advice on buying, selling, insurance, and financing. A mechanical engineer and car guy, Kevin has decided to spend his online time helping others learn about automobiles. To learn more about how your car works, Kevin has created http://www.mycarwizard.com.

kevin@schappell.com

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair

Buying cars from auctions can end up in a profit or a loss depending on your understand on cars and how the car auction process works. It is always good place to get a bargain because when you buying a car at an auction you’re not paying dealer prices; neither is you paying for a guarantee. What you see is what you get is the theory behind car auctions.

So you should have some knowledge and experience with motor vehicles before you attempt going to a car auction let alone buying one. On the end hand, what you do need is a good attention to detail, wiliness to learn and great observation skills. Once you can master the technique of buying good low cost cars you’ll be able to sell them for profit.

There are two types of car auctions. The traditional local car auctions and the online car auctions.

Local Car Auctions

When entering a local car auction you will need to pre-register upon entering. There should be staff on hand to explain to you how to register and how to make your bids and general rules of the auction. Make sure you don’t just bid on everything because if you win you bought it.

You should inspect the cars that you’re interested in. Make sure you do a through check to ensure it’s a good buy not a dud. If you want to inspect the car closer you may have to ask for permission from the staff on hand. It’s wise to check up on the cars you want to bid on and make sure you set a bid limit otherwise you will be another victim of overbidding.

When placing your bids ensure that you signal the auctioneer clearly to avoid any miscommunication. If you’re in luck you might just walk away with a really good price on a car or cars. Each time you win a bid talk to the block clerk and tell them you want to settle your accounts. One of the staff on hand should be able to walk you through the payment process and the exchange of title.

Before you settle you have to also do a final check on the vehicle. You’re also allowed to take the car for a test drive before settling on the accounts. This is a way for the auction to ensure you the buyer that you didn’t buy a broken car and that it’s functioning properly.

At last settling your accounts. Most auctions allow you to pay by credit card and check and of course CASH! You might be asked if you want to have a third party finance the car for you. Here’s a tip, if your going to do finance make sure you get your finances organised outside of the auction. Third party financing at auctions usually come with a higher interest rate.

Once you have settled your accounts you can either drive away or ship it to your destination. If you need to ship your newly bought car ask the car auction manager for a good rate on shipping. They will usually give you a better rate. Online Car Auctions Offline car auctions are a little different. You don’t get to inspect the cars in person however you can request images of the car. If you’re interested in online car auctions make sure if you do buy one inspect the car as soon as it arrives and if there is anything wrong with contact the online car auction site immediately.

About the author:

If you are looking for car auctions or car auction information then http://www.carauctionscritic.com can help you.

Technorati Tags: automotive, autocare, auto care, car care, auto repair