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

Vermont’s picturesque landscapes and rural charm might make it seem like a safe place to buy a used car, but the reality of the used car market may tell a different story. Beneath that clean-looking vehicle sitting in a local driveway or dealership lot, serious issues may be hiding. Without proper due diligence, serious mechanical, electrical and structural issues may be overlooked by unsuspecting buyers. Buying a car with preexisting problems can be a waste of your hard-earned money, drain your wallet and compromise your safety.

Vermont is no stranger to harsh, long snowy winter conditions and frequent use of corrosive solvents and salts on the roads over time can have a devastating effect on vehicles. It comes as no surprise that one of the most common issues affecting used cars in the state of Vermont is rust damage. When untreated, rust can eat away at the vehicle’s frame, undercarriage, brake lines, fuel tanks and suspension components. What’s dangerous is that much of this damage happens underneath the car, where some buyer may never think to look.

The issue of rust and corrosion can be further compounded by the recent influx of flood-damaged vehicles, which can make their way into Vermont from other states after hurricanes or flash floods. These cars often appear normal after a quick cleaning, but in addition to accelerating rust and corrosion, hidden water damage can cause long-term electrical failures, mold growth, and engine problems.

Worse yet, some of these vehicles may be misrepresented as clean title vehicles when they have a history of total loss in another state. This type of fraud is commonly referred to as title washing, meaning their total loss related damage history was wiped clean through shady registration practices. Along with title fraud comes odometer fraud; this happens when unscrupulous sellers roll back odometers, artificially inflating the vehicle’s value. This makes it difficult to know how much wear and tear a vehicle has truly endured. Unsuspecting buyers may be stuck with a vehicle that, due to its extensive use may require more service and maintenance than was expected based on the vehicle mileage displayed on the odometer. 

The fact that Vermont does not have mandatory safety inspections at the point of sale also adds to the risks. While annual state inspections can catch some issues, they don’t apply to a car sitting in someone’s driveway waiting to be sold. The state’s small private-sale market also carries risks, especially in rural areas where word-of-mouth sales are common and cars are often sold “as-is” with no warranties. Sellers may not disclose existing mechanical problems, electrical issues, hidden accident damage or even unpaid liens. Once the money is exchanged and the sale is finalized, the buyer is left holding the bag for any costly repairs and possible ownership related legal disputes and complications.

2 simple ways to protect yourself from getting duped by unscrupulous used car sellers in Vermont:

While deciding to buy a used car rather than spending money for a new one may be a smart and responsible decision for many Vermont residents, it does carry a certain amount of risk. It is possible to greatly reduce those risks by taking the following 2 steps:

1. It is vital to investigate the past of each individual vehicle you may be interested in purchasing, keeping in mind that understanding the way the car has lived its prior life may help determine its long-term reliability, safety and value. By conducting a Vermont Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check and generating a full vehicle history report in Vermont you can unlock valuable information that the seller may not want you to know. A full vehicle history report in VT, may be able to uncover the truth about past accidents, total loss claims, liens, recalls, odometer fraud, lemon buybacks, ownership history and thefts.
2. While a vehicle history report in Vermont can uncover valuable information about the vehicle’s past, it is not able to replace a pre-purchase vehicle inspection conducted by a trusted professional auto technician. A pre-purchase inspection can give you a clear understanding of the vehicle’s present condition. This may include issues hidden from sight and never declared to the DMV or any insurance agency. Having a clear understanding of the vehicle’s faults and issues can help provide some leverage during price negotiations and help budget for future repairs. It can also help you understand when the best course of action is simply to walk away from a deal.

While buying a used car in the state of Vermont will always have its pitfalls, you will be able to better navigate those pitfalls by following these two simple steps, potentially helping you make a more informed buying decision.