When a vehicle has a salvaged title or has been in an accident, the airbag may have already been deployed. Even if it remained undeployed, the airbag system may still have been damaged by the crash.
Air bags are very expensive to replace. It will cost thousands of dollars to install a working replacement, so some dealers and body shops are cutting corners and putting consumers in danger.
There have been many reports of dealers selling used cars without a working airbag.In some cases, consumers reported buying a used car with rags stuffed inside the airbag compartment.
To help consumers avoid this problem we have listed a few tips that will help spot phony airbags when buying a used car.
Check The Instrument Cluster
The airbag light will be on and will be flashing along with the other indicators. It will say Airbag or SRS. If the airbag light turns on and shuts off after a few seconds that means all is good as to factory OEM specifications. If you don’t see the airbag light after turning the key and there are other lights like battery, seatbelt and the others, that means there is something wrong with it.
Examine The Air Bag Compartment
Look for little tears. Make sure that the edges and the surrounding surface are well tucked. Take all the time you need to inspect the area visually. Check if there’s anything odd about the airbag cover, make sure that it is an exact fit. If it fits poorly that means it will not react in the exact time frame that the manufacturer originally intended. It may cause serious injuries or death when the airbag does not inflate on time to prevent you from hitting the interior of the vehicle in an accident.
The Seat Belt Should Retract Normally
The seat belts should retract smoothly.If they’re slow or don’t retract at all, that’s a warning that the air bags have been deployed already and were not replaced.
Seat belts have pretensioners as a part of their mechanism. These are wired to the same central control processor that activates the car’s air bags. The processor monitors mechanical or electronic motion sensors that respond to sudden impact. When an impact is detected, the processor activates the pretensioner and the air bag. The pretensioner pulls in on the belt tightening up any slack in the belt webbing in the event of a crash. This force helps move the passenger into the safest crash position in his seat.
So, if the seatbelt does not work properly that means the central control processor for both the pretensioner and airbag was not fixed or replaced after the accident.
Check Consumer Feedback
Check the Better Business Bureau and the internet for reports of consumer complaints. Check the dealership’s reputation. A scam this lucrative won’t have occurred just once. Do your homework and check the company’s complaint history with your local consumer protection agency. Read their feedback and avoid dealerships with a history of air bag fraud. Buy only from trusted dealerships.
Have A Certified Mechanic Inspect The Car
Take the car to a certified mechanic whom you know and trust. This is the best way to find out if the airbag is safe. Installing air bags properly, requires recalibrating the system. They will have to fix the sensors, control modules and new seat belts. There’s no way to know whether this has been done correctly just by looking at the car. However a certified mechanic knows how to check and has the right tools to test if it is working or not.
Airbags can help you survive a collision. It will save your life and protect you from injuries. It is important that you are sure that this safety feature will work when needed. Utilize the tips that you have learned here to detect phony airbags. It will help you avoid the risk of being a victim of airbag fraud.
Selling used cars with a phony air bag is illegal and punishable by law. If you know of a dealership who’s involved in this or if you have already bought a car with a phony air bag, report it to the authorities. Do not let it go and help save lives.
https://www.vinaudit.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/BeFunky_Driving-cover.jpg.jpg6951884vinaudit//www.vinaudit.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/vinaudit-v3.3_85.pngvinaudit2015-02-28 01:07:592015-06-22 22:30:00How To Spot Phony Airbags When Buying A Used Car
Certified cars, also known as “CPO” (certified pre-owned) have become an affordable alternative to new cars. These are vehicles that have been inspected and certified by a manufacturer or another certifying authority. They have an extended warranty, special financing and additional benefits.
These cars are not more than 6 years old and have low-mileage. They passed multiple inspections and have been reconditioned to perform like a new vehicle.
Three Types Of Certified Used Cars
Manufacturer Certified
They are sold only at authorized dealerships specializing in that particular franchise or brand. These certified pre-owned vehicles have passed multiple inspection and reconditioning process (usually with 100+ inspection points) done by factory trained technicians. It often comes with roadside assistance program and special financing. You’ll be able to have your vehicle serviced at locations nationwide. It will also include an extended warranty backed by the manufacturer.
Dealership Certified
These cars were certified by the dealership that’s selling them. It means that the car was inspected and certified by the dealership’s in-house mechanic. Perks and warranty are dependent to the terms of their certified car program.
Independent program Certified
The certification is done by a particular independent business. Some of them do the inspection and certification in house while some are done at an affiliate’s facility administered by a representative of the independent program. You’ll be able to have your vehicle serviced by any accredited affiliate of the independent program who certified the vehicle.
Why Buy Certified Used Cars?
Certified used cars are the smart choice. They are less expensive compared to new vehicles and you are assured to have peace of mind that you can’t get when you buy a non-certified used vehicle.
Used cars may be cheaper but they have not been through the rigorous inspection of professional mechanics and they do not carry an extended warranty backed by the manufacturer or the third party who certified it.
When you get a certified used car you know that the vehicle was properly maintained giving you an assurance that no undetected problem will surface months later after you have already purchased the car.
When you buy a certified used car there are lots of perks and benefits included that you will not find when you buy from a private party or small used car lots. Some may include roadside assistance, shuttle pick-up and drop-off service, free maintenance or trip interruption protection.
Certified used cars retain their value longer than non-certified vehicles making it easy for you to sell it when you want to upgrade.
Does It Matter Who Certifies The Car?
I have mentioned above that used cars can be certified by the manufacturer, a dealership or an independent program. Most experts agree that manufacturer certified used cars are more reliable.
A manufacturer certified vehicle has passed the factory’s high standard inspection. You are assured that it was administered by trained experts and of course using updated equipment.
The certification process also verifies that the vehicle has not incurred any frame damage during the life of the vehicle. The manufacturer holds an extended warranty that will commence when the original warranty expires and will extend to a specified number of miles or specific amount of time, whichever comes first.
You also have access to multiple service centers nationwide. This is not the case for independent programs. They are limited to a specific location and often have the customer pay for needed repairs up front, then wait for a reimbursement check. There is also a risk that the insurance company is not around to honor the warranty when a claim is made. This risk is much less when the responsible party is a vehicle manufacturer.
With a manufacturer certified used car you are guaranteed to get a car that is in excellent condition. You will also enjoy benefits that are exclusively offered by the manufacturer.
Where Should I Go To Shop?
Every major manufacturer has an official certified used car website, listing their full inventory of certified cars across all their dealerships. There’s FordCertified.com, ToyotaCertified.com, HondaCertified.com, and so on. When you visit their site, you will learn how their certification is done and see the features and benefits of their certified car program.
If you’d like to compare certified cars across different manufacturers, there’s also a website dedicating to listing the certified used car inventory available across all major manufacturers: browse CertifiedCars.com to compare the certified cars for sale in your area.
//www.vinaudit.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/vinaudit-v3.3_85.png00vinaudit//www.vinaudit.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/vinaudit-v3.3_85.pngvinaudit2014-12-10 02:18:082014-12-11 18:05:31What Is A Certified Used Car?
Lots of people are intimidated by the thought of buying a car and getting it financed. They find it confusing and a lot of times they are afraid because of the horror stories that they hear around them. Most of those stories are true. Lots of times dealerships can take advantage of you when it comes to financing. A lot of times they use it as an opportunity to make more money. However, you can avoid going that route by doing your homework. Make sure that you have gathered enough information to educate yourself before you go out there and agree on any financing terms.
Give a serious thought on your financing options before you shop. Consider your monthly expenditures and other financial commitments to determine how much you’re able to afford. Keep in mind that you can be approved for a loan before even visiting a dealership. Securing your financing before you visit the dealership empowers you like a cash buyer. It will allow you to hop around dealerships to look for the best deals.
Here are a few tips to help you save money on auto loans. It will help you stay on track to make sure that you will land on a financing that will not go over your allotted budget.
Be aware of your credit score
Lenders use credit scores to help decide how risky it will be to lend you money or provide you a service. Creditors see more risk from low credit applicants than those with better scores. The result is a higher interest rate or they can turn down your application.
Make sure that you are on top of things. Monitor your credit profile. It consists of your credit report and credit score. Get it free at AnnualCreditReport.com .
Decide where you want to acquire financing
Be careful in choosing where you send your loan application. Find a licensed online lender with a BBB rating of “A”. Many online auto loan web sites are fronts for car dealer lead-generation while other sites are individual lender sites. Go to their “about us” section to find out how they operate.
Auto loan lead generation websites
On lead generation web sites, you apply for a loan and your application information is immediately routed to one or more car dealerships. They carefully check every application to make sure that they are genuine and valid before they send it to dealers. You get dealer financing with these sites.
Lender websites
On lender websites, you can apply for a loan and may or may not get approved. Direct auto financing can get you a lower annual percentage rate but it can be very time consuming filling out multiple applications. They also have high standards in filtering loan applications so it may be difficult for those who are struggling with their credit scores to be approved.
Online Lending Marketplace
Online lending marketplaces like VinAudit partner myAutoloan.com offer an online alternative to traditional lending. It offers quick and easy application process from the comfort of your own home. They are popular for their high approval rate and loans are processed and funded quickly. You can get multiple offers to choose from so you can maximize the amount of money that you can save.
Be ready for your trip to the dealership
Remember to research about the dealership that you will visit. Check out their feedback online and make sure that they are licensed. Keep in mind that there are bad dealers out there who intend to make a profit on your financing by marking up interest rates and in some cases, inflating prices of service contracts and other insurance products. If you think the dealer can give you a better deal, then finance through the dealer. Otherwise use the online auto loan that you have been approved for.
Don’t be swayed when a dealer offers to beat your online deal by getting you lower payments while increasing term, sales price or increasing the rate (APR). It may appear to be a good deal but in the end you will be paying a lot more. Focus on the full amount and do not be diverted by low monthly payments.
Negotiate like a cash buyer
With financing in hand, you are in a very strong position to get the best pricing on your new or used car. Have confidence when negotiating, you already have the funding so the price easily be at your command. Work with reputable dealerships and your overall experience will be excellent.
Having an approved financing before hopping over to a dealership is the smart way to go. You will have control to choose the best deal that you can get so you can save money.
//www.vinaudit.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/vinaudit-v3.3_85.png00vinaudit//www.vinaudit.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/vinaudit-v3.3_85.pngvinaudit2014-11-21 03:43:082015-06-03 00:40:02How To Save On Auto Loans
The most comprehensive Automotive Data & Analytics
How To Spot Phony Airbags When Buying A Used Car
/by vinauditWhen a vehicle has a salvaged title or has been in an accident, the airbag may have already been deployed. Even if it remained undeployed, the airbag system may still have been damaged by the crash.
Air bags are very expensive to replace. It will cost thousands of dollars to install a working replacement, so some dealers and body shops are cutting corners and putting consumers in danger.
There have been many reports of dealers selling used cars without a working airbag.In some cases, consumers reported buying a used car with rags stuffed inside the airbag compartment.
To help consumers avoid this problem we have listed a few tips that will help spot phony airbags when buying a used car.
Check The Instrument Cluster
The airbag light will be on and will be flashing along with the other indicators. It will say Airbag or SRS. If the airbag light turns on and shuts off after a few seconds that means all is good as to factory OEM specifications. If you don’t see the airbag light after turning the key and there are other lights like battery, seatbelt and the others, that means there is something wrong with it.
Examine The Air Bag Compartment
Look for little tears. Make sure that the edges and the surrounding surface are well tucked. Take all the time you need to inspect the area visually. Check if there’s anything odd about the airbag cover, make sure that it is an exact fit. If it fits poorly that means it will not react in the exact time frame that the manufacturer originally intended. It may cause serious injuries or death when the airbag does not inflate on time to prevent you from hitting the interior of the vehicle in an accident.
The Seat Belt Should Retract Normally
The seat belts should retract smoothly.If they’re slow or don’t retract at all, that’s a warning that the air bags have been deployed already and were not replaced.
Seat belts have pretensioners as a part of their mechanism. These are wired to the same central control processor that activates the car’s air bags. The processor monitors mechanical or electronic motion sensors that respond to sudden impact. When an impact is detected, the processor activates the pretensioner and the air bag. The pretensioner pulls in on the belt tightening up any slack in the belt webbing in the event of a crash. This force helps move the passenger into the safest crash position in his seat.
So, if the seatbelt does not work properly that means the central control processor for both the pretensioner and airbag was not fixed or replaced after the accident.
Check Consumer Feedback
Check the Better Business Bureau and the internet for reports of consumer complaints. Check the dealership’s reputation. A scam this lucrative won’t have occurred just once. Do your homework and check the company’s complaint history with your local consumer protection agency. Read their feedback and avoid dealerships with a history of air bag fraud. Buy only from trusted dealerships.
Have A Certified Mechanic Inspect The Car
Take the car to a certified mechanic whom you know and trust. This is the best way to find out if the airbag is safe. Installing air bags properly, requires recalibrating the system. They will have to fix the sensors, control modules and new seat belts. There’s no way to know whether this has been done correctly just by looking at the car. However a certified mechanic knows how to check and has the right tools to test if it is working or not.
Airbags can help you survive a collision. It will save your life and protect you from injuries. It is important that you are sure that this safety feature will work when needed. Utilize the tips that you have learned here to detect phony airbags. It will help you avoid the risk of being a victim of airbag fraud.
Selling used cars with a phony air bag is illegal and punishable by law. If you know of a dealership who’s involved in this or if you have already bought a car with a phony air bag, report it to the authorities. Do not let it go and help save lives.
What Is A Certified Used Car?
/by vinauditCertified cars, also known as “CPO” (certified pre-owned) have become an affordable alternative to new cars. These are vehicles that have been inspected and certified by a manufacturer or another certifying authority. They have an extended warranty, special financing and additional benefits.
These cars are not more than 6 years old and have low-mileage. They passed multiple inspections and have been reconditioned to perform like a new vehicle.
Three Types Of Certified Used Cars
Manufacturer Certified
They are sold only at authorized dealerships specializing in that particular franchise or brand. These certified pre-owned vehicles have passed multiple inspection and reconditioning process (usually with 100+ inspection points) done by factory trained technicians. It often comes with roadside assistance program and special financing. You’ll be able to have your vehicle serviced at locations nationwide. It will also include an extended warranty backed by the manufacturer.
Dealership Certified
These cars were certified by the dealership that’s selling them. It means that the car was inspected and certified by the dealership’s in-house mechanic. Perks and warranty are dependent to the terms of their certified car program.
Independent program Certified
The certification is done by a particular independent business. Some of them do the inspection and certification in house while some are done at an affiliate’s facility administered by a representative of the independent program. You’ll be able to have your vehicle serviced by any accredited affiliate of the independent program who certified the vehicle.
Why Buy Certified Used Cars?
Certified used cars are the smart choice. They are less expensive compared to new vehicles and you are assured to have peace of mind that you can’t get when you buy a non-certified used vehicle.
Used cars may be cheaper but they have not been through the rigorous inspection of professional mechanics and they do not carry an extended warranty backed by the manufacturer or the third party who certified it.
When you get a certified used car you know that the vehicle was properly maintained giving you an assurance that no undetected problem will surface months later after you have already purchased the car.
When you buy a certified used car there are lots of perks and benefits included that you will not find when you buy from a private party or small used car lots. Some may include roadside assistance, shuttle pick-up and drop-off service, free maintenance or trip interruption protection.
Certified used cars retain their value longer than non-certified vehicles making it easy for you to sell it when you want to upgrade.
Does It Matter Who Certifies The Car?
I have mentioned above that used cars can be certified by the manufacturer, a dealership or an independent program. Most experts agree that manufacturer certified used cars are more reliable.
A manufacturer certified vehicle has passed the factory’s high standard inspection. You are assured that it was administered by trained experts and of course using updated equipment.
The certification process also verifies that the vehicle has not incurred any frame damage during the life of the vehicle. The manufacturer holds an extended warranty that will commence when the original warranty expires and will extend to a specified number of miles or specific amount of time, whichever comes first.
You also have access to multiple service centers nationwide. This is not the case for independent programs. They are limited to a specific location and often have the customer pay for needed repairs up front, then wait for a reimbursement check. There is also a risk that the insurance company is not around to honor the warranty when a claim is made. This risk is much less when the responsible party is a vehicle manufacturer.
With a manufacturer certified used car you are guaranteed to get a car that is in excellent condition. You will also enjoy benefits that are exclusively offered by the manufacturer.
Where Should I Go To Shop?
Every major manufacturer has an official certified used car website, listing their full inventory of certified cars across all their dealerships. There’s FordCertified.com, ToyotaCertified.com, HondaCertified.com, and so on. When you visit their site, you will learn how their certification is done and see the features and benefits of their certified car program.
If you’d like to compare certified cars across different manufacturers, there’s also a website dedicating to listing the certified used car inventory available across all major manufacturers: browse CertifiedCars.com to compare the certified cars for sale in your area.
How To Save On Auto Loans
/by vinauditLots of people are intimidated by the thought of buying a car and getting it financed. They find it confusing and a lot of times they are afraid because of the horror stories that they hear around them. Most of those stories are true. Lots of times dealerships can take advantage of you when it comes to financing. A lot of times they use it as an opportunity to make more money. However, you can avoid going that route by doing your homework. Make sure that you have gathered enough information to educate yourself before you go out there and agree on any financing terms.
Give a serious thought on your financing options before you shop. Consider your monthly expenditures and other financial commitments to determine how much you’re able to afford. Keep in mind that you can be approved for a loan before even visiting a dealership. Securing your financing before you visit the dealership empowers you like a cash buyer. It will allow you to hop around dealerships to look for the best deals.
Here are a few tips to help you save money on auto loans. It will help you stay on track to make sure that you will land on a financing that will not go over your allotted budget.
Be aware of your credit score
Lenders use credit scores to help decide how risky it will be to lend you money or provide you a service. Creditors see more risk from low credit applicants than those with better scores. The result is a higher interest rate or they can turn down your application.
Make sure that you are on top of things. Monitor your credit profile. It consists of your credit report and credit score. Get it free at AnnualCreditReport.com .
Decide where you want to acquire financing
Be careful in choosing where you send your loan application. Find a licensed online lender with a BBB rating of “A”. Many online auto loan web sites are fronts for car dealer lead-generation while other sites are individual lender sites. Go to their “about us” section to find out how they operate.
Auto loan lead generation websites
On lead generation web sites, you apply for a loan and your application information is immediately routed to one or more car dealerships. They carefully check every application to make sure that they are genuine and valid before they send it to dealers. You get dealer financing with these sites.
Lender websites
On lender websites, you can apply for a loan and may or may not get approved. Direct auto financing can get you a lower annual percentage rate but it can be very time consuming filling out multiple applications. They also have high standards in filtering loan applications so it may be difficult for those who are struggling with their credit scores to be approved.
Online Lending Marketplace
Online lending marketplaces like VinAudit partner myAutoloan.com offer an online alternative to traditional lending. It offers quick and easy application process from the comfort of your own home. They are popular for their high approval rate and loans are processed and funded quickly. You can get multiple offers to choose from so you can maximize the amount of money that you can save.
Be ready for your trip to the dealership
Remember to research about the dealership that you will visit. Check out their feedback online and make sure that they are licensed. Keep in mind that there are bad dealers out there who intend to make a profit on your financing by marking up interest rates and in some cases, inflating prices of service contracts and other insurance products. If you think the dealer can give you a better deal, then finance through the dealer. Otherwise use the online auto loan that you have been approved for.
Don’t be swayed when a dealer offers to beat your online deal by getting you lower payments while increasing term, sales price or increasing the rate (APR). It may appear to be a good deal but in the end you will be paying a lot more. Focus on the full amount and do not be diverted by low monthly payments.
Negotiate like a cash buyer
With financing in hand, you are in a very strong position to get the best pricing on your new or used car. Have confidence when negotiating, you already have the funding so the price easily be at your command. Work with reputable dealerships and your overall experience will be excellent.
Having an approved financing before hopping over to a dealership is the smart way to go. You will have control to choose the best deal that you can get so you can save money.
Get prepared today: Check your credit score at AnnualCreditReport.com and negotiate your auto loan at myAutoloan.com.