Some Car Buying Tips for the Newbies Buying a car may be one of your most exhilirating experiences. It may be your first car, or perhaps your fifth. It would be a new road companion. You should be proud of your new companion, whether it is just for leisure driving or it is a tool to get you from point A to point B. Take time to research your car and make the right purchase. There are certainly many advantages of dealing with private sellers. You should always take caution regardless to make sure you are not buying a lemon or worse, buying a stolen vehicle. At the very least, be sure to: Bring a friend along to check out the vehicle. You will be too excited to see the vehicle you might be blind by your excitement. Your friend will have a more objective point of view and a different perspective of the buying experience. See the vehicle at the private seller's residence and verify the address against the Vehicle Licence or Registration form. Examine the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate for tampering, and match the VIN with the Vehicle Licence or Registration form. Do not rush into a purchase. If you are interested in the car, take a day to think it over and run a Vehicle History Report on the VIN number if possible. If the seller is pushy, walk away. Hopefully, your friend will remind you of that. Do not buy on impulse. Do not deal with cash only. What is a Vehicle History Report? Purchasing a vehicle is an investment. You should protect that investment. It is recommended that you obtain a Vehicle History Report before purchasing any pre-owned vehicle. The report will tell you odometer readings, registration history, major accidents, and other history details of the vehicle. You can then make an informed decision before making that financial transaction. Have fun hunting for your next car!