After purchasing a used car, there are steps you should take in order to be driving a legal and safe vehicle. Most of the post-purchase process for a used car is identical to that for a brand new vehicle, but there are steps you should take that are unique to buying a used or pre-owned car.
Mechanic Inspection
The best time to complete this step is before you buy a used car, but if you bought the car without doing so, you should have the vehicle fully inspected by a qualified mechanic. The inspection will alert you to any work that needs to be done immediately and areas that could use cosmetic or optional improvement. In some places, you can return a used car within a certain time frame if a mechanical problem is found that was not disclosed during the sale.
Title & Registration
Just with a new car, you have to make a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to title and register a used car after making the purchase. This step makes your car legal to drive and needs to be completed correctly. The title and registration process should go smoothly, especially if you purchased your used car from a dealership. Difficulties can arise from a private sale if there is a problem such as a car lien with the existing title. For this reason, you should ask the Department of Motor Vehicles to search the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) before you complete the private sale. Once you have completed the title and registration steps with the DMV, you will be issued license plates, important documents like the title and registration, and an inspection sticker that need to be kept on or in your car.
Insurance Coverage
Once the mechanic has inspected the vehicle and you’ve gotten the legalities squared away at the DMV, you need to take care of the car’s insurance coverage. Most states require drivers have a minimum level of car insurance coverage. The minimum level is generally considered basic liability, which provides coverage in the event you are found responsible for an accident. Comprehensive coverage and full coverage are extended options for car insurance that provide additional protection beyond basic liability.
The first thing you need to do after buying a used car is making it both legal to drive and officially owned by you. Take a trip to the mechanic and the DMV after closing the deal on your new pre-owned vehicle.
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