Free Connecticut VIN Check & Vehicle History Report

Buying a Used Car in the State of Connecticut? Read this before you buy!

For many Connecticut residents, buying a used car is the most practical choice. With the high cost of new vehicles and the state’s reliance on personal transportation, used cars make up a significant share of the market. However, buying a used car in this state does come with certain risks. While buying a used car may seem like a responsible financial move for many, doing so without taking the proper precautions can quickly turn into a very costly mistake. As not all used cars are made equal, beneath the polished exteriors and attractive price tags, some used vehicles may be hiding some serious issues and potential safety risks. 

Amongst the most common dangers in Connecticut are used vehicles with significant undisclosed damage being passed off as good clean used vehicles. Whether the seller is intentionally attempting to deceive the potential buyer or is unaware of the vehicle’s true condition, cars with hidden damage are quite common.

One of the most pressing dangers is the influx of flood-damaged cars. While Connecticut experiences its share of coastal storms, the bigger issue is vehicles shipped from flood-stricken states like Florida, Louisiana and Texas.

It can be quite difficult to spot a car with flood related damage, as these cars may often appear fine after a quick cleaning, but the damage can run deep. Vehicles with water damage, especially ones that were submerged in corrosive salt water, are more prone to electrical system failures and excessive corrosion, especially on vital suspension and structural components beneath the car. These issues can lead to catastrophic failures down the road. For consumers, that can mean thousands in unexpected repairs or worse, a vehicle that has inoperable or faulty safety systems such as airbags and can become a safety hazard after the purchase is finalized.

Further compounding the problem are Connecticut’s long winters and heavy use of road salt and corrosive compounds to clear the roads of ice and snow. These caustic solutions make rust related damage a major issue. In many cases rust isn’t just cosmetic; in fact, there are plenty of cars on the market that may not show any obvious signs of rust on their outer panels. It is only when you look under the vehicle and inspect its undercarriage that you can spot catastrophic rust damage that can affect everything from brake lines to vital vehicle structural components. What this means to used car buyers is even if the vehicle does not have any visible signs of rust on the outside, rust could still be lurking out of sight on the undercarriage.

In addition to various condition related risks, it is also important to take note of potential risks related to fraud. Title washing is a common type of fraud that helps the seller conceal the vehicle’s total loss history, which can greatly affect the vehicle’s value, safety and overall desirability. This practice commonly involves moving a car through multiple states to remove a salvage title brand. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports tens of thousands of vehicles each year are sold with hidden damage histories. This makes it nearly impossible for buyers to know if the car they’re purchasing was previously declared a total loss after a major accident or flood.

Another common type of fraud happens to be odometer rollback. While this scam may appear to have been defeated with the advent of clever tamper proof digital gauge clusters and odometer   it’s still happening—especially in the private used car market. Unscrupulous used car sellers and scammers have adapted with clever digital scanners that are able to override even modern odometers with relative ease. The NHTSA estimates that over 450,000 vehicles are sold each year with rolled-back odometers, costing consumers over $1 billion annually. In Connecticut, where older, high-mileage vehicles dominate private sales, odometer tampering can mislead buyers into thinking they’re getting a car with plenty of life left when it’s actually nearing the end of its useful lifespan.

2 Important steps you must take before buying a used car in Connecticut:

The impact of buying a car with undisclosed issues isn’t just inconvenient—it’s expensive and could potentially even be dangerous. A car with undisclosed accident or water damage could require thousands in repairs or become undriveable within months of purchase. Worse, mechanical failures like brake line corrosion or malfunctioning airbags can turn a bad deal into a life-threatening situation. However, there are ways you can stop the purchase from becoming a huge mistake.

1. You can start by screening the car just as you would an employee for a potential employment position. Each vehicle has a history maintained and aggregated by various government and proprietary agencies and you can easily access this information in one simple to understand comprehensive report. A Connecticut vehicle history report may aid you in uncovering the truth about the vehicle’s past. It can uncover potentially hidden issues such as past accidents, total loss claims, salvage history, liens, repossessions and taxi and police use, as well as a slew of other pertinent data. Knowing and understanding the car’s history can give you a better understanding of the car’s value, potential safety and long-term reliability. You can start with a simple Connecticut VIN check (Vehicle Identification Number).
2. While getting a full vehicle history report in CT acts as a vital first step of buying a used car in the state of Connecticut, a professional pre-purchase vehicle inspection may help confirm the information provided in the report as well as get a clear understanding of its current condition. Having a car inspected by a trusted professional automotive technician may uncover issues never reported to any government agency, insurance company or auto data reporting shop. This inspection can identify issues with the vehicle’s electrical system, drivetrain, chassis, suspension, airbags, and more… Having a comprehensive understanding of the vehicle’s past as well as its current condition can help you make an informed car buying decision.

At the end of the day, buying a used car may be challenging, but it does not have to feel so overwhelming. By researching the vehicle’s past and confirming its current condition, you are less likely to fall victim to a scammer or unscrupulous used car seller.