Free Delaware VIN Check & Vehicle History Report

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

While Delaware is considered one of the smallest U.S. states, its strategic location between major automotive hubs like Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C. makes it a popular place for buying and selling used vehicles. Plentiful inventory and below average prices may appeal to the bargain shopper in all of us; however, beneath the shiny exterior, some vehicles may be hiding secrets that can make owning them a financial hardship and even a safety risk. Delaware’s used car market has its share of risks and dangers that can easily turn a “deal” into a disaster.

Amongst the most common dangers in Delaware have to do with vehicles with an undisclosed history of storm and flood damage. The state is known to have winds upwards of 75 miles per hour. These high wind events and storms can send debris flying into parked cars, causing significant damage. It is not uncommon to see winds topple over trees, which end up falling on nearby vehicles. The damage can range from minor dents and scratches to structural damage. Flying debris can also break the vehicle’s glass, allowing rainwater to enter the vehicle, causing further water damage to the interior and various electrical systems.

Mother Nature’s effect on vehicles that reside in the state of Delaware can be quite devastating. The state is no stranger to flash flooding events, particularly in the low lying or coastal regions. Flood waters can submerge vehicles in fresh or salt water, often causing irreparable damage to crucial electrical systems, drivetrains and interiors. The most common type of critical water damage occurs when the vehicle is driven into deeper waters, allowing the engine to breathe in water, causing hydro lock, rendering the vehicle a complete loss. 

Further compounding the problem of water related damage are Delaware’s cold and snowy winters. While the winters are not as harsh as in the New England area, Delaware still employs the use of ice and snow melting compounds and salts. These chemicals have the undesired effect of accelerating rust and corrosion. This is especially true in vehicles with a history of past water damage, as the moisture trapped in the vehicle’s body panels, coupled with the corrosive compounds used for road cleanup, can cause further damage to the vehicle’s undercarriage, suspension, gas tank, frames, crossmembers and other vital components.

Title Washing: A Legal Loophole Exploited

Delaware’s small size and business friendly legal system make it a breeding ground for various dishonest and illegal used car sale practices. The most common of which happens to be title washing. This is a process where sellers transfer a car through different states to erase a salvage or rebuilt title. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), tens of thousands of vehicles each year undergo this process nationwide, often ending up in unsuspecting buyers’ hands. For consumers, that means a car that appears clean on paper but could have been totaled after a major collision or flood.

Ways to Avoid the Hidden Pitfalls of Delaware's Used Car Merket

The impact of buying a car with undisclosed issues on consumers can be substantial. Beyond the value lost when buying a vehicle that is not worth as much as you paid for it, it is also important to consider the potential loss of time and dangers of being stuck in the middle of nowhere waiting on roadside assistance to pick up your broken-down car. A car with undisclosed issues can regularly incur unexpected repair bills and can easily turn a family car into a safety hazard. However, there is a way to greatly reduce the risk of buying a lemon. Start your car buying process by following 2 simple steps.

1. Once you have narrowed down a short list of potential candidates, you should screen them similarly as you would when hiring a nanny to care for your child. This means you must investigate the vehicle’s past, identifying any possible events that could affect its current value, safety and long-term reliability. This can all be done through the use of a Delaware vehicle history report. This report 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. Start by locating the Vehicle Identification Number for each vehicle you wish to investigate and run it through the easy-to-use Delaware VIN check.
2. While getting a full vehicle history report in Delaware acts as a vital first step of buying a used car in the state of Delaware, a professional pre-purchase vehicle inspection may help confirm the information provided in the report as well as uncover issues never reported to any government agency, DMV or insurance company. Having a car inspected by an independent professional automotive technician may uncover 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 and may even provide you some leverage during price negotiations.

While buying a pre-owned car in the state of Delaware has its set of challenges, with proper due diligence and in person professional pre-purchase inspection, it is possible to make an informed buying decision and avoid some of the more common pitfalls plaguing the local used car market.