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3 min read Published September 27, 2022
Written by Tara Mello Written by Tara Mello Driving for Dollars
Tara Mello Edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since late 2021. They are committed to helping readers gain confidence to take control of their finances by providing precise, well-researched and comprehensive facts that break down complex topics into manageable bites. The Bankrate promise
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So, this compensation can affect the way, location and in what order products appear in listing categories and categories, unless it is prohibited by law. We also offer mortgage home equity, mortgage and other home loan products. Other factors, like our own proprietary website rules and whether the product is available within your region or within your personal credit score may also influence the way and place products are listed on this site. We strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include details about each financial or credit item or service. If you are considering buying a used vehicle it is essential to find out if there’s an open recall on the vehicle you are considering buying and, if it is the extent to which it has been repaired. Used car recalls are typically issued because of a problem or potential problem related to safety concerns. Unrepaired recalls could lead to a car accident or fire which could cause injury to the occupants of the vehicle or causing a jump in . Car sellers must only complete repairs to new vehicles. In the majority of states, dealers aren’t required to repair old vehicles or inform buyers of recalls. They might not be aware of recall. You are the one responsible for researching the car’s history. Find out if a used car is subject to recalls to determine whether a vehicle is part of a recall or not, you can look up the . This database is searchable using the car’s VIN, which is located on the car’s windshield to the lower left side, or the year, model, and make if you don’t have the VIN. The NHTSA database provides information about not repaired vehicles that were affected the past 15 calendar years. The database includes recalls from major automakers, motorcycle manufacturers as well as a few heavy and medium-duty truck manufacturers. While it is a valuable resource, the NHTSA database is not able to give information on vehicles that have been repaired in response to the safety recall. It also does not have any information on vehicles from other countries. Check defect investigations If there are no recalls, review the NHTSA’s monthly investigation reports, which contain details on ongoing defects investigations. A recall often starts as an investigation. It is possible that the car you want to purchase is being investigated. If so, you must stay on top of the developments to be aware of any recalls issued. What should you do if the used car you’re interested in is part of a recall If your desired used car is part of a recall, don’t give up on the possibility of getting it. Repairs shouldn’t cost the seller or buyer anything since the manufacturer will cover recall fixes. Take the car’s VIN if you don’t already have it If you do notice a recall on the car’s model, make and year of manufacture, obtain the car’s VIN at the time of purchase from the vendor. You can enter it into the recall section on the manufacturer’s website. With the VIN you can find out whether your car is subject to recall. Some manufacturer websites also note if the car is repaired. Get the car repaired Manufacturers must repair cars that are subject to a safety recall free of charge. Also, while independent dealers aren’t obliged to conduct an open recall under federal law, it should not cost anything to repair the vehicle. Recall laws differ by state, which means dealerships in your region may be legally required to perform repairs prior to selling you a car. It is also possible to ask the seller to repair the car before you purchase it. Request receipts from the seller. If the vehicle you are buying has already been repaired and is in need of repairs, ask the seller for proof of repair and then read the repair thoroughly. Only dealers that carry the car brand are authorized to complete recall repairs. Independent mechanics are able to perform certain recall repairs at the expense of the owner. If a dealer failed to complete the repairs, you may want to have a dealer check that the work was carried out properly and thoroughly. The bottom line Before purchasing an used vehicle, you should research whether the car has been part of any safety recalls and whether the repairs needed were completed. The NHTSA is usually the best place to determine whether a recall has impacted the car you’re planning to purchase. To ensure your safety after a recall you’ve signed up, think about signing to receive recall alerts sent through the NHTSA. You can sign up to receive these alerts via email or install the NHTSA’s SaferCar app on your phone to receive recall notifications. Related Articles: SHARE
Writers: Tara Mello Driving for Dollars Edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been writing and editing for Bankrate since late 2021. They are passionate about helping readers gain the confidence to control their finances through providing clear, well-researched information that breaks down complicated topics into bite-sized pieces.
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