I'm in the market for a (used) car, so I purchased a 60-month unlimited use subscription to AutoCheck. For this one particular vehicle, it found "information" regarding lien records. It says that in 2002 and again in 2005 there was a lien reported on the title.
Now, I'm pretty sure I understand the meaning of a lien and its purpose and potential ramifications, but what I don't know is 1) if the lien necessarily still exists on the vehicle today and 2) if the lien will remain on the vehicle even if I purchase it. Can anybody with more experience in this area help me out?
EDIT: I should note that I'm especially suspicious of this vehicle because the guy eBaying it is selling it at about $5,000 below KBB price despite the fact that it looks perfectly clean, has no accident/criminal history, has decently low mileage (1999/58,000mi), and comes fully loaded.
Originally posted by StingArmyI'm in the market for a (used) car, so I purchased a 60-month unlimited use subscription to AutoCheck. For this one particular vehicle, it found "information" regarding lien records. It says that in 2002 and again in 2005 there was a lien reported on the title.
Now, I'm pretty sure I understand the meaning of a lien and its purpose and potential ramifications, but what I don't know is 1) if the lien necessarily still exists on the vehicle today and 2) if the lien will remain on the vehicle even if I purchase it. Can anybody with more experience in this area help me out?
EDIT: I should note that I'm especially suspicious of this vehicle because the guy eBaying it is selling it at about $5,000 below KBB price despite the fact that it looks perfectly clean, has no accident/criminal history, has decently low mileage (1999/58,000mi), and comes fully loaded.
- StingArmy
(edited by StingArmy on 31.5.06 0229)
At least out here, the lien would pop up or should when you try to transfer the title. The owner with the lien would have to make it right before he could sell it. And typically liens stay with the property. Every time you take out a secures loan, it is a lien in essence.
Based on my experiences in general, if I'm suspicious of something that I'm considering buying, I don't buy it. There are so many good used cars on the market today, you'll easily find another good deal. Better to have a good car and regret missing a better deal than to regret having been suckered.
rinberg's Rules of Acquisition #113: You'll always find a better deal *after* you've made your purchase, but if you still got a good deal, fuhgedaboutit.
And let's not forget-- (sing along) If it sounds to good to be true....
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." --Rick Cook
Now, I'm pretty sure I understand the meaning of a lien and its purpose and potential ramifications, but what I don't know is 1) if the lien necessarily still exists on the vehicle today and 2) if the lien will remain on the vehicle even if I purchase it. Can anybody with more experience in this area help me out?
Contact the guy and ask him. If the liens are because he still owes money on the car, get the name of the creditor and verify the information with the creditor. If he says the liens are not outstanding anymore, ask for the documentation and check with the prior lienholder to make sure the have released the lien. If he feigns ignorance, run.
I would also ask him why he's selling the car $5,000 below kbb. If he's savvy enough to use ebay to sell his car, he's savvy enough to check kbb/edmunds/etc. to verify the value. Bear in mind that the cost of a lemon (or, even more ominously, losing the car because someone else has the title) will far dwarf today's $5,000 savings when all is said and done. And, as rinberg said, there are too many good used cars on the market today. Not to mention, the pithy 'if it sounds too good to be true...' is doubly true when buying a used car.
EDIT: On a slightly unrelated note...I have a question for anyone that has bought or sold a car on ebay. If I were to buy a car from a private party or from a dealership that did not warranty the car, I would insist on taking the car to a mechanic that I trust before purchasing the vehicle. So, how does that work with ebay? Is there a short window where you can have the car checked out? Or, is it basic caveat emptor?
(edited by Corajudo on 31.5.06 0949) "Teach children that they have great potential because they are human." -Warrior
Thanks, everyone, for the great advice. I'm going to ask the guy about the lien(s).
Originally posted by Corajudo I would also ask him why he's selling the car $5,000 below kbb. If he's savvy enough to use ebay to sell his car, he's savvy enough to check kbb/edmunds/etc. to verify the value.
The seller is actually a car dealership IRL. What's more, they actually stated themselves in the eBay auction what the KBB price is. I don't know if that makes it more or less strange, but like I said, I'm going to inquire about the lien(s).
I've bought two motorcycles off of ebay. Both times, the seller had the bike inspected about two weeks or so before the bike was listed and I was given the inspection report as proof that it passed.
"You want to tempt the wrath of the whatever from high atop the thing?" --Toby, West Wing
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