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Advantages To Buying A One-Owner Car

Are There Advantages To Buying A One Owner Car? There are definitely financial advantages to buying a used car. The demand for the car will be indicated by how much difference there is between different years of a model. We will use a high demand Toyota 4Runner SR5 as our example.

Just compare the costs of a new, 2019 Toyota 4Runner SR5 ($38,000) versus a 2018 Toyota 4Runner SR5 with 9,000 miles ($33,000) versus a 2017 Toyota 4Runner SR5 with 27,000 miles ($31,000). Southern California was used for search zone since it tends to be very price competitive.

In the Toyota 4Runner SR5 example, there really isn’t much difference in price, especially when you factor in mileage.

A Major Advantage Of A One Owner Car: Brand new car buyers take better care of a car than a car that has passed through several owners. Additionally, brand new cars are under warranty so owners are more likely to have all services performed. Since a one-owner car is typically newer than one that’s been through several hands, you can expect fewer miles on the odometer and, concurrently, less wear and tear. Be sure to order a vehicle history report to determine previous ownership.

What About Off-Leased Cars? If you have a bigger budget, you’ll find a considerable number of two- and three-year-old models on a dealer’s lot that were previously leased. Leased cars are one-owner vehicles, though the leasing company is officially the original owner. They often sell these as certified pre-owned (CPO) cars. Vehicles with this designation have undergone a thorough inspection, and they come with an extended warranty coverage.

How Can You Tell if a Car Has Had Multiple Owners? The easiest way is to check the car’s ownership history via a CARFAX Vehicle History Report. This valuable document verifies a used car’s chain of ownership and the last reported number of miles on the odometer. It also documents a model’s maintenance and repair records and any remaining original warranty coverage. The report will also reveal any applicable recalls and whether or not they were addressed. A CARFAX Report will also show if a vehicle has been wrecked, flooded, damaged by hail or branded a lemon. Additionally, this report lets you know if a car has been salvaged and rebuilt.

Lemon Car? There’s also a chance one or more owners got rid of the car because of drivability problems and/or underlying issues that would require costly repairs. That’s why it’s important to give any vehicle you’re considering a full test drive. You should also have a trusted mechanic give it a complete vehicle inspection before signing a bill of sale. A CARFAX report will give a history of vehicle recalls.

Then there is always that car that was ‘only driven on Sundays’ but in reality… ‘Little Old Lady from Pasadena’

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Vehicle Inspection & Emissions Info By State

Vehicle Inspection & Emissions Info By US State
Car Safety & Motor Vehicle Inspection Info

ALABAMA DOR

Alabama DOR Department of Revenue

  • No emissions test required to register your vehicle
  • Safety inspection required prior to sale or ownership transfer
  • Inspections are performed at the Motor Vehicle Title and Tag office before registration

ALASKA DMV

Alaska DMV Division of Motor Vehicles

  • Emissions inspections are not required in Alaska as of March 1, 2012
  • A Vehicle Identification Number – VIN or safety inspection may be required in some situations

ARIZONA DOT

Arizona DOT Department of Transportation

  • Vehicle emissions tests are required for drivers of 1967 or newer vehicles who live in or regularly commute to Phoenix and Tucson metro areas
  • Pre-1981 vehicles are tested annually; 1981+ vehicles are tested every other year

ARKANSAS

Arkansas ADEQ Department of Environmental Quality

  • ADEQ annual vehicle inspections are not required


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CALIFORNIA DMV

California DMV Department of Motor Vehicles

  • Smog check requirements vary by zip code – required for all out-of-state vehicles
  • Exceptions – Emissions tests are not required for certain vehicles, like hybrids, electric cars, motorcycles, trailers, or diesel-powered vehicles 1997 year model and older or with a Gross Vehicle Weight of more than 14,000 lbs

COLORADO CDPHE

Colorado CDPHE Department of Public Health & Environment

  • State car inspections and emissions testing are required in select counties biennially for model years 1982 and newer, annually for model years 1981 and older
  • Exceptions – Inspections are not required for some vehicles, including electric cars, hybrids, and cars that are less than seven years old

CONNECTICUT DMV

Connecticut Inspections & Emissions Testing

  • Statewide vehicle emissions testing is required every two years for vehicles four years or older, but the type of emissions test varies by vehicle
  • Connecticut will automatically issue late fees for missed deadlines

DELAWARE DMV

Delaware DMV Department of Motor Vehicles

  • Statewide safety and emissions inspections are required every two years
  • Vehicles that are seven years old or newer are exempt from all testing

FLORIDA DHSMV

Florida DHSMV Safety and Motor Vehicles

  • Emissions testing is not required
  • Vehicle Identification Number – VIN testing is required for out-of-state vehicles

GEORGIA I/M

Georgia I/M Vehicle Emissions Inspection & Maintenance

  • Some Atlanta metro counties require annual emissions testing

HAWAII DOT

Hawaii DOT Department of Transportation

  • Annual safety inspections are required for vehicles older than two years

IDAHO DEQ

Idaho DEQ Department of Environmental Quality

  • Emissions testing is required every two years in Ada and Canyon Counties

ILLINOIS DOT

Illinois DOT Department of Transportation

  • Emissions testing is required in Chicago, Metro-East Saint Louis every two years
  • Safety inspections are required in select counties every two years

INDIANA BMV

Indiana BMV Bureau of Motor Vehicles

  • Emissions testing is required every two years in select counties

IOWA  DMV

  • Iowa Department of Motor Vehicles – No inspections are required

KANSAS DMV

  • Vehicle Identification Number – VIN inspections are required only when registering out-of-state vehicles

KENTUCKY DMV

Kentucky DMV Department of Motor Vehicles

  • Vehicle Identification Number – VIN inspections are required the first time you register a vehicle
  • No other inspections are required

LOUISIANA DMV

Louisiana Motor Vehicle Inspection Requirements

  • Annual safety inspections are required
  • Annual emissions testing is only required in the Baton Rouge metro parishes


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MAINE MVI

Maine State Police Motor Vehicle Inspection

  • Annual statewide safety inspections are required
  • Annual emissions testing is only required in Cumberland County

MARYLAND MVA

Maryland MVA Motor Vehicle Administration

  • Safety inspections are required prior to the sale or transfer of vehicle ownership
  • Biennial emissions testing is required in select counties

MASSACHUSETTS RMV

Massachusetts RMVRegistry of Motor Vehicles

  • Annual emissions testing is required for cars less than 15 years old; vehicles older than 15 years must undergo an opacity test to check if the tailpipe produces “visible smoke”
  • Annual safety checks are required

MICHIGAN DMV

  • No inspections are required

MINNESOTA

Minnesota Driver & Vehicle Services

  • No inspections are required

MISSISSIPPI DMV

  • Safety inspections are required for vehicles that have tinted windows

MISSOURI

Missouri State Highway Patrol Vehicle Inspection

  • Vehicles made within the last five years are not required to have safety inspections; after that, biennial safety inspections are required
  • Biennial emissions testing is only required in select counties

MONTANA DMV

Montana DMV Department of Motor Vehicles

  • Car inspections are not required

NEBRASKA DMV

Nebraska DMV Department of Motor Vehicles

  • Out-of-state vehicles are required to have safety and Vehicle Identification Number – VIN inspections

NEVADA DMV

Nevada DMV Department of Motor Vehicles

  • State inspections for emissions are required in select areas

NEW HAMPSHIRE DMV

New Hampshire DMV Division of Motor Vehicles

  • Safety inspections and emissions inspections are required annually

NEW JERSEY MVC

State of New Jersey MVC Motor Vehicle Commission

  • Emissions tests are required for all vehicles every two years, with exception of newer cars
  • A safety inspection is required only for commercial vehicles

NEW MEXICO MVD

New Mexico MVD Motor Vehicle Department

  • Emissions inspections are required every two years in Bernalillo County

NEW YORK DMV

New York DMV Department of Motor Vehicles

  • Annual emissions and safety inspections are required and are completed at the same time

NORTH CAROLINA DMV

North Carolina DMV Division of Motor Vehicles

  • Annual safety inspections are required
  • Annual emissions testing is required in select counties

NORTH DAKOTA DOT

North Dakota Department of Transportation DOT

  • No vehicle inspections are required

OHIO EPA

Ohio EPA Environmental Protection Agency

  • Emissions tests are required in select metro areas
  • Frequency varies

OKLAHOMA DMV

  • Oklahoma does not require smog or emissions testing

OREGON DMV

Oregon.gov Vehicle Inspections

  • Biennial emissions tests are required in select metro areas


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PENNSYLVANIA DOT

Pennsylvania DOT Department of Transportation

  • Emissions testing is required annually in select counties
  • Safety inspections are required annually and include Vehicle Identification Number – VIN checks

RHODE ISLAND DMV

Rhode Island DMV Safety & Emissions

  • Cars older than two years are required to undergo biennial safety inspections
  • Emissions tests are required every two years
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) checks are required when registering an out-of-state vehicle

SOUTH CAROLINA DMV

South Carolina DMV Department of Motor Vehicles

  • South Carolina does not require smog tests or vehicle inspections

SOUTH DAKOTA MVD

South Dakota MVD Motor Vehicles Division

  • Emissions testing is not required

TENNESSEE TDEC

Tennessee TDEC Department of Environment & Conservation

  • Annual emissions inspections are required in select counties

TEXAS DPS

Texas DPS Department of Public Safety

  • Annual emissions tests are required in select counties
  • Annual safety inspections are required in all counties on vehicles more than two years old

UTAH DMV

Utah DMV Department of Motor Vehicles

  • Emissions tests are required in select counties
  • Statewide safety inspections are done in time intervals, then annually after a certain point

VERMONT DMV

Vermont DMV Department of Motor Vehicles

  • Annual safety inspections are required
  • Annual emissions tests are required in some areas

VIRGINIA DMV

Virginia State Vehicle Inspections

  • Annual statewide safety inspections are required
  • Emissions tests are required every two years in some areas

WASHINGTON DMV

Washington Vehicle Emissions Check Program

  • Emissions tests are required in certain counties

WEST VIRGINIA DMV

West Virginia General Inspection Requirements

  • Annual safety inspections are required
  • If you already have an inspection sticker in New York, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Utah, Texas, or Wyoming, you do not need an inspection in West Virginia until it expires

WISCONSIN DMV

Wisconsin DMV Emissions Testing

  • Emissions tests are required in certain counties

WYOMING DOT

Wyoming DOT Department of Transportation

  • Emissions testing is not required
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) car inspections are required for out-of-state vehicles

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2014 Toyota Camry Car Recalls: Fuel May Leak From Fuel Delivery Pipe

2014 Toyota Camry Recall Title: Fuel May Leak From Fuel Delivery Pipe

2012 Toyota Camry Recall Date: September 19, 2014

2012 Toyota Camry NHTSA Recall Campaign Number: 14V576000

2014 Toyota Camry Recall Manufacturer: Manufacturer Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

2014 Toyota Camry Recall Component(s): Fuel System, Gasoline

2014 Toyota Camry Recall – Potential Number of Units Affected: 15,872

2014 Toyota Camry Recall Overview: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Toyota Avalon, Camry, Sienna, and Highlander and model year 2015 Lexus RX350 vehicles. Fuel may leak from one of the fuel delivery pipes in the engine compartment.

Just What Is a Car Recall? Car Safety Recall Definition – A safety recall is an automotive manufacturer’s way of notifying vehicle customers that their product has a flaw. The automobile problem is serious enough that if you do not correct the flaw your and/or your passengers’ safety could be at risk. Generally recalls are initiated by the US Government, but sometimes individual car manufacturers will pre-emptively initiate a recall.

Where Do I Find My VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)? Look on the lower left of your car’s windshield for your 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Your VIN is also located on your car’s registration card, and it may be shown on your insurance card.

Auto Tip – How Do I Find Out If My Vehicle Has A Recall? ==> An easy way to determine if you have an active car recall is to just enter your VIN number at the top of this page and CarFax will report if there are any issues at all with your vehicle. The CarFax Report image looks like this:

2014 Toyota Camry Recall Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace any of the suspect fuel delivery pipes free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

2014 Toyota Camry Recall Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

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Toyota: Car, Auto (Automobile), Vehicle & Truck Recall Information

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How To Find Out If A Car Has a Lien On It & Other Steps In Purchasing A Vehicle

Car Registration Vs. A Car Title

What is the difference between a car registration and a car title? The vehicle title relates to the ownership of the car and informs the state of the legal vehicle ownership. It also lists any liens on the vehicle.

The vehicle registration relates to the license plates and license tags on the car. License plates provide revenue to the state and are revenue for your state DMV. A car title will not provide information regarding the car registration or the car license plate. The car registration should be kept in a secure place. Your car registration should be kept in your vehicle (You know the line, “License and registration please”).

What Is A Car Lien?

The car lien is the official document a loan company (whether a bank, credit union, private party or another interested party) has against the vehicle in exchange for the vehicle loan. Most typically a lien is used in a car loan. The lender, in exchange for their money to buy your car, places the lien against your vehicle and secures their interest. If you fail to repay their loan, the lienholder has a legal right to repossess the vehicle and either keep the car for themselves or resell it to retrieve their monies.

Another way a car or truck can be applied is when you fail to pay required governmental vehicle taxes and/or fees. If you don’t pay or have an outstanding balance your local government may elect to place a lien on your vehicle.

IMPORTANT: Liens can pass to a new owner if the car is sold, so before buying a used vehicle it is important to verify there are no outstanding liens against it. Get a VIN Number Check.

How To Make Sure A Vehicle You Want To Purchase Does Not Have Any Liens

1.  First Thing First – Examine The Title

Take a detailed look at all of the paperwork related to the vehicle, especially the title and registration. Is the title in the seller’s name and is the registration current?

What to expect to see on the title: Title information does vary by state, but generally a car or truck title will provide information related to the current owner, past owners, and any current or past liens on the vehicle.

VIN Tip: When you are buying a car from a private seller, ask to see their ID and match that name to the title. If you can take pictures of the seller’s ID, the title and the registration for your records.

2.  Determine If You Require Additional Paperwork.

If the event a vehicle title indicates there has ever been a lien on the vehicle the seller must produce proof that the lien has been satisfied or you can incur the lien with your car purchase.

VIN Tip: If a seller can not produce verification of the lien release, proving the lien has been satisfied, don’t proceed with the purchase.

VIN Tip: If you do decide to buy a car that has had a lien against it, be sure that you have possession of all lien release documents when the sale is complete as you will need them when you eventually sell the vehicle.

3. Match The VIN Number On The Title To The Vehicle.

Get the VIN number from the car (often you can the VIN number by standing outside the vehicle on the driver’s side and look at the corner of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. If the VIN cannot be found there, open the driver’s side door and look at the door post on the driver’s side door). Next match that VIN number to the title, registration and any other documents including any lien release documents.

VIN Tip: The VIN number can be found on a small metal plate on the dashboard of the vehicle on the driver’s side. It is a 17-digit number that contains both numbers and letters. If the VIN plate is missing, altered, if the Vehicle Identification Number is incomplete, or the number doesn’t match the one on the vehicle documentation, do not buy the car.

VIN Tip: Have ALL the documents in order. If a seller does not provide you with a copy of the title, current registration or lien release document, do not purchase the vehicle until they can produce all of these documents.

4. Do a VIN Number Check (located at the top of this page)

After you have secured and verified the vehicle’s VIN number you can you perform a VIN check. This CarFax report which will alert you to any liens on the vehicle as well as give you a history of that car, for example, if it has ever been in an accident. It is recommended that you pull a vehicle history on any car you are seriously considering.

What Will a Vehicle Identification Number Report Reveal About A Car Or Truck?

A CarFax Report will provide you with the following information:

  • Vehicle past ownership.
  • Any liens reportedly held on the vehicle.
  • Vehicle maintenance reports.
  • Title history including any blemishes.
  • Faulty or altered odometer settings.
  • Damage due to flooding.
  • Car accident history.
  • Car title check.
  • Lemon vehicle report.
  • Any airbag deployments.

Order your CarFax report at the top of this page.

Mistakes Happen. Not surprisingly there can be errors or paperwork issues with your DMV. It is not your problem to sleuth and correct any issues. If the seller claims they have paid the lien but the title still shows a lien on the vehicle, it is possible that the DMV has not been properly notified of the lien payment, but the seller needs to take the initiative to clear the lien.

It is also possible that the seller has lost the lien release payment. If that is the case, they will need to go back to the bank or financial institution to get a copy of it to bring to the DMV.

5. Use The DMV’s Title Checker Service

If you still have questions, visit your state’s DMV site and see if they have a title checker feature. See links to your State DMV here.

It varies by state but most have this feature. It allows you to put in the VIN number of any vehicles you are considering and it will pull up the title information on record. You should be able to determine if the car has a lien against it.

Finally…

If, after your VIN number research, the car title shows as clear, you can proceed with your purchase.

And, you will need car insurance:


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Free VIN Number Check – VIN Decoder Information

Free VIN Number Check – VIN Decoder Report Information

Your CarFax report will be generated from your car’s Vehicle Identification Number. The VIN Number report will indicate all of the following:

  • Major Accident: Has the vehicle been in any major accidents?
  • Mileage Rollback: You can view vehicle mileage reports at various reported service intervals.
  • Multiple Owners: Determine how many times the car has changed hands along with the associated dates.
  • Structural Damage: Was the automobile exposed to any structural damage events?
  • Vehicle Service History: Determine how well the car or truck has been cared for by the previous owner(s).
  • Lease, Personal, Taxi or Police Use: Was the car used in any high mileage or other dangerous usages.
  • Total Loss: Has the auto ever been reported as totaled?
  • Rebuilt: What, if anything, has been rebuilt in the automobile?
  • Flood Damage: Was the car ever involved in a flood, been flooded or reported as a flood loss?
  • Airbag Deployment: Have the vehicle’s airbags ever been deployed?
  • Mileage Rollover: Investigate mileage reports by previous service appointments.
  • Salvaged: Has the car ever been salvaged, then retitled?
  • Hail Damage: Any body damage due to hail or weather events?
  • Branded a Lemon: Has a government agency and/or an automobile manufacturer ever classified the car a ‘lemon?’
  • Last Reported Mileage: What are the various dates at each reported service?
  • Junked: Did a governmental agency or owner ever junk the car?
  • State Owned: Has a state or local government ever had to take possession of the automobile?
  • Length of Ownership: How long did each previous owner have the car in the possession.
  • Estimated Miles Driven Per Year: Does the mileage reported correspond to this estimate usage?
  • Not Actual Mileage: Is there an indication that the odometer has been tampered with or changed?
  • Recall Information: Is the car subject to an automobile manufacturer voluntary or mandatory vehicle recall?
  • Warranty Information: Has the car been under warranty or is the auto or truck currently under warranty?

This is how your CarFax report will look.

 


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Vehicle Identification Numbers VIN Glossary Terms

Body Type:

refers to the general configuration or shape of a vehicle distinguished by such characteristics as the number of doors, windows, cargo-carrying features (fastback, sedan, hatchback)

Line:

refers to a name that a manufacturer applies to a group or family of vehicles within a make which have a degree of commonality in construction (such as body, chassis, cab type).

Model:

refers to a name that a manufacturer applies to a group of the same type, make, line, series and body type.

Make:

refers to a name that a manufacturer applies to a group of vehicles or engines.

Model Year:

refers to the year used to designate a discrete vehicle model, irrespective of the calendar year in which the vehicle was actually produced -so long as the actual period is less than two (2) calendar years.

Plant:

plant where manufacturer affixes the Vehicle Identification Number.

Series:

refers to a name that a manufacturer applies to a subdivision of a “line” denoting price, size, weight identification and that is used by manufacturer for marketing purposes.


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