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My name is Dennis Pieschel. I have designed my web site to assist the many people dealing with ICBC and private insurance companies on insurance claims, as well as the many people purchasing pre-owed and rebuilt vehicles. During my 25 years in the collision repair industry, and 13 years as an ICBC estimator, I have gained the experience required to provide the information on this web site. It will assist and enable consumers to understand and gain control of the automotive collision claims process, and give them confidence when purchasing a pre-owned or rebuilt vehicle. I am confident the information provided will be invaluable to you.

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Resources. Informed Buyer

Rebuilt Car Fraud Prevention Tips. Know What You Are Buying!

There are literally hundreds of thousands of used vehicles sold in North America every year that are not road worthy and do not meet Industry Standards.

There are thousands of salvaged vehicles bought every day that are rebuilt and sold to unsuspecting buyers who believe they are getting a great deal on a newer model vehicle. The only problem is that the airbags are missing, the front end may have been tacked on with the wrong type of welding material or the frame may still be bent from the accident in which the vehicle was declared a write-off. Otherwise the vehicle may appear to be in great shape, the dealer or seller probably even polished it up so it looks great.

These vehicles are supposed to be inspected by ICBC Licensed Inspectors who are deemed qualified to determine the safety and roadworthiness of a vehicle that has been rebuilt and/or imported from out of Province or State.

For an additional fee, unscrupulous Car Dealers or Sellers indicating that the vehicle passed Inspection can purchase certified documents from unscrupulous Inspectors. Many of these vehicles would never pass a legitimate Inspection and you the Consumer would never know prior to purchasing it. This can jeopardize your safety and that of others.

It is important therefore that the proper due diligence is conducted to determine the vehicle's history. Here are some questions that you should ask before you buy a used vehicle:

  • Is the vehicle an out of State or out of Province vehicle?
  • Is this a Rebuilt vehicle? Is it registered as a Rebuilt vehicle?
  • Has an ICBC Licensed Inspector inspected the vehicle?
  • Who inspected it and may I see the Inspection document?
  • Is this the original mileage? (average of 12,000 miles or 20,000 kms per year)
  • Is there a warranty?
  • If a private sale, be extremely careful; ask the seller how long he/she has owned the vehicle. Ask the Seller for I.D. and compare the name to that on the Registration form.
  • Look around the yard. Are there other vehicles being sold? Does it appear that other vehicles are being repaired there? If so, you may be buying a rebuilt vehicle, and/or dealing with a curber (an individual selling cars without being licensed to do so).
  • Did the Seller want to meet you at a location other than his/her residence or place of Business?
  • Does the wear on the seats reflect the mileage that is on the odometer?
  • Always check to see if there is a lien on the vehicle.
  • If the price of the car and the mileage are both unusually low, you are likely buying a rebuilt vehicle.
  • Compare the Vehicle's Identification Number on the dash to the one on the driver's doorjamb and to the one on the registration form. Do they match?

Here is what you can do to conduct some due diligence on your own regarding the history of the vehicle.

Obtain the 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number that is displayed on the dash near the windshield on the driver's side. In most States and Provinces you will be able to get a vehicle history from your local Motor Vehicle Branch or Department of Motor Vehicles. If the vehicle is from out of State or Province they will likely not be able to supply you with the information.

www.carfax.com (USA queries) and www.autofacts.ca (CDN queries). These Resources will immediately provide a detailed vehicle history, which includes odometer readings on most North American Vehicles.

If you are serious about purchasing a vehicle, have a mechanical inspection done by a reputable Licensed Mechanic.

Contact Eye on Collision Repairs to have them conduct a structural integrity inspection to determine if it has ever sustained major damage and to determine if it is a rebuilt vehicle. They will check the vehicle's airbag; to confirm it has one.

Keep in mind that rebuilt vehicles have a lesser value than vehicles which have never sustained damage and vehicles that come from areas where a lot of salt is used in the winter will be much more prone to rust in the future.

Visit the sites below for more TIPS when purchasing used cars:

The sites listed below report on damage that was reported and recorded buy registered repair facilities and insurance companies only. If the vehicle was damaged and repaired and paid for by the owner of the vehicle privately, there will be no record of the damage. Contact Eye on Collision Repairs to have a visual inspection done to ensure you know what you're buying.

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