New law bans Re-birthed cars - How to buy a used car

Used car buyers will be getting better protection thanks to a new law, to be introduced in August 2010 throughout NSW that will prohibit the repair, re-registration and resale of previously written-off vehicles.

"There is a black market for purchasing written-off vehicles at auctions, then using stolen parts to rebirth and register the car, to be sold for a tidy profit," says Minister for Transport and Roads, David Campbell."This isn't being done by licensed repairers - in most instances it's not financially viable for genuine repairers to repair these cars using legitimate parts."

With the new law, customers that are buying used cars will be able to better determine the value of their potential purchase. However, there are still a number of areas that car buyers need to be wary of to ensure that they're getting what they pay for.

• Test-drive the vehicle. Make sure that you take the vehicle for a test drive. Keep an ear out for engine noise, and check that the brakes, steering and handling all feel in order.Do an inspection under the hood to be sure that the engine has been kept clean and fluid levels are okay.


• Get a REVs check or VSR Check. A comprehensive car history report will give you more extensive information that has been noted about the car. Look for Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the driver side of the dashboard or along the door jamb. You can use this number to run a Register of Encumbered Vehicles (REVs) check or check the Vehicle Securities Register (VSR) in Victoria. This information lets you know if there is any outstanding debt secured against the vehicle. You'll also get a list of known odometer readings, whether the car has been stolen, written-off or flood damaged.
  
  


• Make sure all the paperwork is in order. In addition to obtaining your own car history report, the car must come with a current pink slip, which verifies that the vehicle has been deemed roadworthy by a mechanic. You should also ensure that the registration papers are in order.


• Get a mechanical inspection. When buying a used car, it can be worth the extra expense to get the car professionally inspected. Mechanics will be able to pick up on any faults that the untrained eye won't be able to see.