Buying a second hand car need not backfire
If it turns
out that your second hand car is a stolen vehicle and you have
an accident, your insurance policy will not pay out and you will
probably lose your car, along with the hard earned cash you paid
for it. But, by conducting some simple background checks, prior
to purchase, you can ensure that you aren’t left out-of-pocket.
So says
Caroline da Silva, Head of Portfolio Management at Santam, SA’s
largest short-term insurer.
“Exactly 17
014 cars were stolen off SA roads last year, which makes the
likelihood of you ending up with a stolen vehicle all the more
real, whether you are buying through a dealer or not.
“A reputable
car dealer will of course go to great lengths to ensure the cars
they sell are fit for purchase in every respect, however not all
car dealers are reputable, and the private sale of vehicles
leaves a wide gap for criminals to get in on the act.
Da Silva
offers these simple background checks that can put your mind at
ease.
“By calling
your local police station with the registration number, engine
and chassis number – which all appear on the cars license disc –
you will quickly and easily be able to establish whether the car
you are planning to buy is stolen.
“Should the
chassis and engine number not correspond, for example, it may
indicate that the car was involved in a major accident, or
again, that the car has been tampered with and contains stolen
parts – in which case, following investigation, the car may be
seized by the police.
“Another
peril to be aware of is that many second hand cars have
outstanding finance which, if you purchase the car, you are
liable to pay. So, it is crucial to ensure you have proof from
the seller that all amounts owing have been settled before
purchase.”
One can
always call the car owner’s finance company directly if the
proof provided looks suspect, da Silva adds.
“Ultimately,
there is a strong case for legislation to make every seller
prove that the car they are selling is fit for sale but, until
such time, these simple checks will ensure that your second hand
car purchase doesn’t backfire.”
Author:
Brigitte Taim (Lange
Strategic Communications)
