Hello fellow hackers,
I’m in process of buying a vehicle from a private party, the vehicle looks great and the owner has clean title in hand with his name and address matching the location where the vehicle is currently located.
I’ll write him a cashier check soon so just want to know which required steps I need to pay attention before getting his signature on line-1 of the title, I’m in SoCal btw.
Appreciate any inputs! Will share photos once the transaction is done.
Do a prepurchase inspection. Check if the DL matches the name on the title.
Make sure title and registration match
Check the title and make sure it matches the vin of the car (windshield, door jam, hood, fenders etc)
Make sure he gives you a valid smog (it can be up to 90 days old)
I ALWAYS go to the dmv website and use the calculate sales tax (input the vin) and make sure it shows up on the next page along with the fees
This will rule out of its stolen it won’t show the fees (it’ll say DOJ BLOCKED) and if it owes tags it’ll show on the fees
Also I would spend the extra $ on a carfax/auto check to make sure the odometer is not rolled back
Good luck 
You can also run your fingers on the panel edges. If it’s not smooth it means the panel has been resprayed. Also check for panels gaps if they are equal. Open the hood and the trunk, check bolts, door jambs. See if there is any over spray or anything unusual. Check the tires if they all match. Put the car in reverse gear and see if there is a delay. (If this is an older car) Check if the sunroof and trunk release work. You can check seat adjustment buttons.
Thanks a lot folks! This is why I love the community here!
This car is like brand new, still on temporary license plate (the paper one in CA) so DMV look up (using VIN, plate) doesn’t show any matching record. It has less than 100 miles on odometer, for peace of mind I think I will check Carfax/AutoCheck. I forgot to ask for the temp registration today, but the VIN in the title matches the one on the windshield.
I’m planning to do transaction at the bank office and have a simple sale contract with our DLs, Title, and bank receipt photos taken, so I can pay tax later at DMV when changing the title to my name.
i hope you are not paying over MSRP for it
Is this like a craigslist type purchase?
Pretty good deal indeed, I hope the deal goes as planned and I can share it with you guys soon. Owner has some kind of financial situation and wants to get out quick.
TBH red flag
mind sharing the cars ad?
No, he listed on multiple platforms (forums, cargurus,…), I visited his place today to check out the car, an upscale hood in Orange County, so I feel this is legit 
Take someone with you to be safe.
A cop in NYC got killed last week when he went to buy a minivan for 24k cash
2nd on the pre-purchase inspection (“PPI”) from a trusted, local mechanic if you can find one nearby for $200 or so. I have had sellers allow me to take the car for a half day to do so.
Also spend $100 on a decent paint thickness gauge and measure the paint thickness all around. A consistent reading will tell you no damage and no repainting.
Get the Carfax.
Good luck!
Oh no, I already told him I only do at my Wells Fargo branch.
Edit:
How do you know the car has been titled?
I asked him to show me, I verify the VIN matches.
Just to confirm there is no DMV record that shows it, nor the carfax or autocheck?
Like I said earlier, DMV shows no record since the car still on temp plate I guess.
I’ll order Autocheck or Carfax on the day we do transaction at the bank, the paywalled Carfax shows the car only has 2 records.
Yeah that ain’t normal. No way dudes got a title and there is no DMV record of the car
Did he pay cash for the car or something?
I guess so, I’m nervous too, the money at stake is very high, over $80k
What is the safest play here?
