Buying a car from an individual

[KSpan]

11 hours ago, Paa Langfart said:

Thanks for confusing me guys.

Where are you located? Does the seller have a title in-hand or is there still a lien on the car, and if so will the amount that you're paying cover the lien balance?

[Paa Langfart]

No lien on the truck.  I ran the vin through carfax and there seems to be a long time between some of the oil changes - like sometimes it wont show an oil change for 10,000 - 15,000 thousand miles.  Should I be concerned or do not all the oil changes show up on carfax reports ?

[Khyber53]

If you've got a good mechanic, have him/her check it out thoroughly before you buy it. Make sure the seller has title in hand and do the transaction with a notary. Beyond the DMV regulations, the notary is a very, very good way to make sure that the seller is actually the person whose name is on the title. It seems stupid, but this is a really, really big deal.

[CosmoGirl]

4 hours ago, Paa Langfart said:

No lien on the truck.  I ran the vin through carfax and there seems to be a long time between some of the oil changes - like sometimes it wont show an oil change for 10,000 - 15,000 thousand miles.  Should I be concerned or do not all the oil changes show up on carfax reports ?

They may not have taken it to a dealership or taken it to a mom & pop shop who doesn't report to Carfax. 

For example, I found out that you can have bodywork done to a car and it won't go to Carfax unless you file on your insurance. Your insurance sends to Carfax, not the bodyshop (even a dealer-owned bodyshop). 

Or maybe it doesn't need an oil change that frequently. I think mine is recommended at 15k but IDK, I take it when the "service due" light comes on. :)

[cookinwithgas]

On 11/2/2016 at 7:22 AM, cookinbrak said:

LOL, then nobody has the title transferred. Or gets insurance.

seriously when I got this old Porsche from a kid, my buddy who talked me into getting it said his wife was a notary and would sign it after we bought it, turned out she was no longer a notary and sadness ensued.

 

PS it was an awesome car

 

[cookinbrak]

914 was kinda the poor mans 911, but they were pretty badass. And would fly.

[thefuzz]

Easiest way is just to do it at your bank.  The funds are there, a notary is there, and if the title is in hand, you will have no issues.

[thefuzz]

20 hours ago, Paa Langfart said:

No lien on the truck.  I ran the vin through carfax and there seems to be a long time between some of the oil changes - like sometimes it wont show an oil change for 10,000 - 15,000 thousand miles.  Should I be concerned or do not all the oil changes show up on carfax reports ?

I changed my own oil for 10 years....I wouldn't worry too much about it if the rest of the vehicle looks right.