If you're thinking about buying a leased car, you should try to find as much information about the vehicle as possible. Many times, leased vehicles haven't been maintained as well as other types of used vehicles. The reason is simple - people know they won't have the vehicle long. While most people will not abuse a leased vehicle intentionally, properly maintaining the vehicle may not have been their highest priority. Therefore, it is important for you to check out the vehicle thoroughly before making the deal. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you do just that:
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Step 1 - Check the VIN Number History
If possible, contact the seller or dealership, and ask them to provide you with the VIN number. Then, go to Carfax and purchase a vehicle history report for the vehicle. The cost is minimal and the report will give you all sorts of useful information, such as: accident histories, last known mileage, and the title status. All of these things are very important to know before purchasing a leased vehicle.
Step 2 - Inspect the Car
If there were no problems with the Carfax history report, then arrange to meet the seller and view the car. You will then want to thoroughly inspect the vehicle yourself.
Step 3 - Inspect the Interior
First, look at the car's interior as this can tell you a lot about the way the car was maintained. Check the condition of the seat covers and the ceiling of the vehicle. Check to make sure that all accessories and devices work as they should.
Step 4 - Inspect the Exterior
Next, you should expect inspect the exterior of the vehicle. Check the paint and look for signs that may indicate it has recently been painted. Also check the wheel wells for signs of rust. Check the bumpers and the lower parts of the vehicle, and check for signs of rust, dents or body filler. Make sure that you check the entire exterior of the vehicle thoroughly. If you find signs of dents or body filler, make sure that the seller adequately explains why those are present.
Step 5 - Inspect the Engine
Lift the hood on the car, and then check to see the engine's overall cleanliness. or www.leasetrade.com, where you will find leases of different time periods put up by owners for a trade.
How Long is a VIN Number?
If you are wondering, "How long is a VIN number?", here is a quick definition of what the number entails. There are seventeen digits in total. With the first three digits (1, 2, 3) indicating the World Manufacturer Identifier or the company which made the car. The next six (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) digits indicate the vehicle characteristics or description. The next number (10) indicates the Model year of the car you have chosen. The next number (11) indicates the plant code where the car was made. The 12th, 13th and 14th number indicates the manufacturer identifier, and 15th, 16th and 17th number indicating the sequential numbers. Take a look at the following link here to get more information on VIN numbers.
On Average How Much Does it Cost to Track a VIN Number?
You can a track a VIN number pretty easily with online resources. There are free websites where you will be able to get a partial Vehicle Identification Number Report for free. Try websites like pronto.com or Motor Vehicles and www.vehicleidentificationnumber.com to get limited free reports. But if you want a complete list of information, it's a good idea to get a complete detailed VIN report from paid sites like CARFAX and AutoCheck. An average VIN report will cost about $25-$45 depending on the details you require. You can get limited free reports from sites and then get a detailed paid reports too from paid sites. Please ensure that you check any car you plan to buy by running the VIN number through a detailed report.
Can I Get the Engine Size on a VIN Number?
The VIN number engine size indicator is easy to identify. Just lift your car hood and find the VIN number that is stenciled on the car interior and engine. The VIN number is also listed on the dashboard at the bottom of the driver's side windshield. You can then put in the VIN number on free VIN searches that will give you the car details. You can use search engines like CARQUEST to get a detailed report. The eighth digit usually indicates the engine size, but you can also use the free VIN decoder sites to get the right size references. If you have a branded car like FORD, then you can also check with the original car manufacturer site which will give you the car number for free.
