Buying a car “as-is” means that you’re buying the car in the exact condition that it’s in. It probably doesn’t have a warranty, either. If anything turns up wrong with the car, it will be your responsibility to fix it. In exchange for taking on these unknowns, you can get a decent discount on your vehicle. The money that you save on the initial cost can then be used to fix up the car, should it need repairs.
Even though you’ll be saving money on an as-is vehicle, it’s still important to do your research and know what you are buying. Here are some tips on what to look for when buying a car as-is.
Research the Car
When you find a car (or cars) that fits your criteria, the next step is to research it. You can find this information online – just be sure that you’re choosing reliable, unbiased information. This research will help you understand the car you are buying and any known problems. This way, you can plan for potential repairs.
Get a Vehicle History Report
Obtain a vehicle history report to avoid surprises. The two largest and best known providers of paid VIN reports are Carfax and AutoCheck. These reports include basic information, as well as recalls, thefts and crashes. With this information, you can find out if the car you’re buying has been in any serious accidents.
Test Drive the Vehicle
Ideally, you should have the opportunity to test drive the vehicle. But it’s possible that you won’t be able to do this if the car is out of state. Also, repossessed cars can’t always be test driven because of liability issues. If you can’t test drive the car for some reason, at least take the opportunity to perform an inspection. You can tell a lot by seeing the vehicle in person.
Have the Car Inspected
If you don’t know a lot about cars, ask a mechanic or someone knowledgeable to inspect it on your behalf. A mechanic can evaluate the vehicle’s current condition, point out issues that you may need to address and make sure that you are paying a fair price. If the seller doesn’t want you to have an inspection, choose another car (or seller).
Shop with Reputable Sellers
Always shop for as-is vehicles through reputable sellers like RepoFinder. Even though you’ll be buying the car as-is, and probably without a warranty, a reliable seller will be willing to work with you. They’ll answer your questions and be open to having you test drive the vehicle and bring in a third-party to look at it. This shows that they have nothing to hide.
RepoFinder offers a free list of bank-owned vehicles that are ready to buy. They are open to the general public, and you can easily review the information and place a bid. To shop for repossessed cars in your area, check out our inventory today!