Hello my name is Herb and I have been driving salvage cars for over thirty years and have much knowledge about how to buy a salvage car. Here is a list of things to do when buying one. First what is a salvage vehicle. Many persons have no idea what one is. The car has been in a accident and the insurance company has paid the owner for the car. The damage can be extremely minor or very major. person like myself go to the insurance auto auctions and bid on the cars. If the car has very little damage the price is much higher than a car with alot of damage.

1. If  buying on Ebay check out the score of the person and what items he has sold. I can buy 50 items under 5.00 and get a perfect score which means nothing but looks great..

2. You are buying a car which cost from $2,000 to $30,000 so what is $150.00 more to spend. When I buy from out of my area I go to the internet and find a mechanic who will drive to the location and inspect the car for me. I usually pay from 75.00 to 150.00 for this service and I have him call me from the location and give me all the details. I have not bought many cars do to the mechanic telling me all the details.

3. Always have someone inspect the car no matter what. You can always find someone in the area to do this. Have them fax a copy of the title before buying it to make sure they have the car.

4. Never, Never send money to another country only USA. The way I sell my cars is simple I request $1000 deposit down which I will hold the car for ten days. Then the person pays the balance upon picking up of the car. If they want the car to be shipped I request that they have someone come inspect the car before final payment. Never send total payment without making sure the car is there and you have inspected it. A good rule is pay the balance only when you pick up the car or the tow truck is there.

5. How much is the car really worth? If Kelly Blue Book (KBB.com) price is just say $20,000 for the car a salvage title car should be from 25% to 35% off that price.

6. The most important thing to do is have a complete inspection done of the vehicle at a good repair shop and have them check everything from the frame to the engine. If the person says that he does not have the time to take the car, then tell him you do not have the time to send the money. Always pay for the inspection in advance. It is better to loose $100.00 than loose big bucks.

7. Have the person take as many pictures as you want to make you happy.

Always remember when you buy a salvage car you may have to fix little things to make it the way you want.

Always

Herb J Gorden