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Beware not to get your car confiscated

Buying a stolen car, obviously unknowingly, can have some serious repercussions and you could find yourself without a car and out of pocket if the car happens to be a stolen car.
When I chose to get a second hand car from a reputable car dealer in my home town a few years ago this almost happened to me. As it turned out I was advised against the purchase, not because anyone suspected it was a stolen car, but because it was over- priced considering the condition of the car. By the time I advised the dealer I was no longer interested in buying the car the dealer had already registered the car in my name.
When a car full of policemen arrived at my home looking for the car that I almost purchased,I canceled the deal and opted for a new car and had almost forgotten about the deal. They were adamant that the car was registered in my name and it took a reasonable amount of convincing before they realized that I had genuinely not bought the car. I was then informed that the vehicle was stolen.
Had I gone ahead with the deal my car would have been confiscated by the police and I would have been bound in paying the monthly installments on the car which i no longer possessed. The car dealers told me later, when I let them in on the facts that they had no idea that the car in context was stolen.
Honestly, I'm not convinced of their promise to repay me had I purchased the car.

Had I bought the stolen car and I had an accident, my car insurance would not have paid out my claim, as the investigation into the claim, which is routine procedure, would have revealed that the car was in fact a stolen car. The car would then be impounded by the cops.
However, by carrying out easy background checks, before my acquisition; I could have discovered that the car was stolen. By calling the local police station with the registration number, engine and chassis number – which all appear on the cars license disc – I would quickly and easily be able to establish whether the car I was planning to buy was stolen. If the chassis and engine number did not correspond with their records it may have indicated that the car was involved in a major accident, in which case I would have lost interest in buying the car, or that the car had been tampered with and contained stolen parts, or that the car was stolen. Whether the automobile had stolen parts or the automobile itself was stolen the regulate would have held the habitue and I would have been ransomed the incident of trade the automobile.
If one takes into account that nearly 17 014 cars were stolen from SA roads last year then the probability of buying a stolen car in the used car market is very risky,whether you buy it from a dealer or through private sale.
The private sale of vehicles gives a wide opportunity to criminals to jump on the unsuspecting buyers and hence it is advised that before striking a deal you must verify the details of the car with the police.
Something else that people buying second hand cars should be alert to is people selling their cars without settling their outstanding debt on the cars. If you purchase the car you could be held liable for the outstanding debt. It is therefore imperative that you receive proof from the seller that there is no outstanding debt on the car before you pay for it. If the proof provided looks suspect it is recommended that you contact the finance company and request confirmation that the vehicle is free of debt.
Before going for a used car, it is better to go through a thorough search about the car to save money and avert any frustration afterwords.

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The author specializes in cheap car insurance and caravan insurance. To get a free quote today, visit getinsurance.co.za

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