Rules for Buying a Used Car from Phoenix Craigslist? (Surprise: insurance, credit card)

[Potential_Landlord]

I'm looking to buy a used Prius from craigslist. What should I look out for? I heard you should do a title check for liens etc. at the MVD? - Thanks.

[Zippyman]

+1 - the state of az can add title liens even if you have a "clear" title, so no title can be assumed to be "clear" unless you've checked it at the mvd yourself. The only safe way to buy a used car is to do the deal at the mvd & immediately transfer title into your name (which might require the vehicle to be smog tested & will also require that you have your insurance in place.

[jimj]

Originally Posted by Zippyman

+1 - the state of az can add title liens even if you have a "clear" title, so no title can be assumed to be "clear" unless you've checked it at the mvd yourself. The only safe way to buy a used car is to do the deal at the mvd & immediately transfer title into your name (which might require the vehicle to be smog tested & will also require that you have your insurance in place.

^^^THIS^^^
My neighbor ran into this issue a couple of months ago. A title hold was placed on a 1960's car he bought for fraudulent welfare payments. He had no idea when he bought it as the person had the title in hand and signed it. When he went to transfer it SURPRISE! He was told nope, no way. But you can apply for an exception given the circumstances.

He did just that and was told NOPE, get the money back from the boyfriend of the lady who owned it. He had to junk the car, lost all his $$$.

[adriver]

I never go to the MVD. What I do is go to one of the many 24 hr title/check cashing places around the valley. Its worth it to pay the $10 so that you and the seller can walk in and take care of it together as opposed to going to the dmv and waiting for an hour (which many sellers wont want to do). They can do everything there too. If its a local car, you will need the smog cert or else the dmv/title place will only give you a temporary registration. If that's already handled (and IIRC they can look up the title and smog cert just like the dmv can), then they will give you everything you need.

Considering its a prius, I have NO CLUE what they may be able to detect as far as batteries or other special equipment, you might want to do further investigating. I know those are an expensive replacement on those cars.

IMO the best way to buy off craigslist is to get as many pictures as possible. If you still want to keep going; If its local and you are familiar with cars, then meet at a public place/your bank (during business hours)/or where you can do your in-depth inspection. Do your inspection & test drive, THEN get your cash, and take it WITH YOU to the title place and exchange it there during the title process. You can sign everything there.

If you are not familiar with cars, have the seller take it a local/or your trusted mechanic and pay for a PPI (pre purchase inspection) about $100. They will give you a pretty good idea of everything that needs repaired; suspension, brakes, hoses, hopefully they can tell you a lot about the batteries.. etc.. That is how you get your bargaining chip when it comes to haggling about the price. There can always be hidden problems, but they will give you a REAL good idea of what the car is going to cost you in repairs over the next few years, if its been in an unreported accident, if there is any unreported damage..... Once you know the true condition of the car ONLY THEN will you know if its worth it. If the seller is not willing to take it to get that done, that's a big red flag. After you know the condition of the car you can contact the seller, and work on the price. Once you get that done, you can meet at a title location with cash (or cashiers check if seller is cool with it), as soon as you two are available. That will give you enough time to also get insurance on it, so you can drive away already having that taken care of.

[mzbk2l]

You can do the lein check yourself through ADOT without leaving your computer. All you need is the VIN and a credit card for the $1.50 charge. Go to the AZ MVD website at: https://servicearizona.com/webapp/lienmvr/search

I'd agree with meeting the seller at a location like an MVD or 3rd party office, though - at least for the day of money transfer.

[jamies]

Buying a car from CL in Phoenix?

Take a gun, and a backup gun. And a friend with a gun.

[Potential_Landlord]

Thanks guys those are awesome tips!