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What You Should Know About Buying a Car From a Private Seller
When you’re in search of your new ride, it’s sometimes possible to find a better deal when you’re working with a private seller as opposed to buying a car directly from a dealership.
Here are some tips on how to navigate the process of buying a car from a private seller in a safe manner that will have you concluding your business confidently.
Negotiating Price
When you’re buying a car from a private seller, price is one of the most important considerations. Unlike at a dealership, private sellers are more willing to negotiate pricing with you.
Understand the numbers. Before you begin the negotiation process, it’s best to be equipped with knowledge yourself. To make sure you go into your meeting with your private seller with confidence, do your due diligence ahead of time by researching the value of the car you’re interested in on a site like Kelly Blue Book. Taking this important step first will help you avoid overpaying for your new car.
Private sellers have a tendency to start off asking for more than even they think they can get for the car they are trying to sell. Know this going into the negotiation. Start low and you’re more likely to reach a price both of you are comfortable with.
Quality of the car
When buying a car from a private seller, it’s important to consider the quality of the vehicle you are about to buy. While dealerships have access to detailed vehicle history reports, private sellers may not. You should also make sure that you trust the person you are working with before trying to buy a car from him or her.
Take a test drive. Always test drive the vehicle before making your ultimate decision. You’ll be able to make an informed decision based upon first-hand knowledge of the vehicle. For example, how good is the car’s handling? Do you notice any unusual noises or smells coming from the vehicle? Make sure you get all of the information you think you need before making your final decision.
Read the report. The car’s VIN number can help you gain access to a CarFax report. You’ll be able to see the car’s accident history, service history, and ownership history.
Inspect the car thoroughly. Examine the inside and outside of the car. Do you see any scratches, scrapes, or dents? Is the windshield cracked? Are the tires properly inflated and do they have do tread or are they significantly worn? Any points of concerns should be addressed to the seller first. If you have a friend who is experienced with vehicle inspections and examinations, consider bringing them along with you to the sale.
Comparison Shop
In addition to researching the value of the car, be sure to compare vehicles of a similar make from different manufacturers in order to help you make the best educated decision.
Online resources like YouTube are great for gaining knowledge about cars you may be interested in.
Doing your research about such things as performance, fuel economy, and overall quality will help you in your decision-making process.
Buy Securely and Safely
Getting the car by legal means is vitally important. Insist on getting a notarized title from the seller to make sure that your ownership of the car is legal. If the seller is hesitant to provide a title for you, walk away from the deal.
Consider cash alternatives. Paying by cash can be risky because it’s hard to trace. Instead of using cash, consider alternative means of payment like check or money order. Avoid situations where sellers are asking for things like wire transfers or cashier’s checks.
Use Caution. Before making a purchase from a private seller, make sure you can identify them properly first. Check their contact information and address and consider meeting them in a public place to complete the purchase of the vehicle.
Read moreMy Dashboard Lights Are On! What Does This Mean?
Have you ever been driving along down the road and noticed one of your dashboard lights being illuminated? Modern vehicles are extremely complex machines that give us the ability to get to where we need to go in a quick, efficient, easy manner. But, just like with any piece of technology, maintenance is required to prolong effectiveness. Dashboard lights are there to let you know that your attention is required.
Oil pressure
When your car is having troubles with oil pressure, you will see an image of something that looks like an oil can.
If you ever see this light illuminated, it typically means that your car has low engine oil pressure. Low oil pressure can have several causes, but the best situation you can find yourself in is if it means that your car is low on oil. Pull over to the side of the road and check your engine’s dipstick if you have one. If you have a more modern car, you probably won’t have to do this since most modern cars are now equipped with check oil programs.
When the oil light is lit, it’s probably an indication that the internal parts of your car are not being sufficiently lubricated. It’s best to not drive your car when this light is on. If you do, you’re potentially looking at significant damage to your engine and costly repairs.
Tire Pressure
This symbol looks like this: (!)
Your tire pressure light is triggered by your car’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). This let’s your know when your tire is in need of air. When a tire is low on air, your car’s gas mileage may be significantly impacted. And, whenever you drive a car with a tire that is in need of air, what you’re really doing is wearing out your tire faster than it needs to be. This will cause you to need to spend more money on new tires. Newer cars may have a built-in system that allows you to read the pressure of each tire. You should always refer to your car’s owner’s manual to see the proper tire pressure that is suggested for your car. It’s important to keep in mind that tire pressure can also be affected by cold weather, so if your light is on, the situation may not be as dire as you might initially believe. Any time you see this light on, address the issue immediately.
Coolant Temperature
When you see symbol lit up, it means that your car’s engine is overheating. When the coolant temperature gets too high, it most oftentimes means that something is wrong with one of the cooling system components. It may be an issue with your fan, radiator, thermostat, water pumps, hoses and coolant.
Driving your car when it’s overheating can be dangerous. Doing so can cause serious and permanent damage to your car’s engine. If you’re ever in need of a tow, ERIE has an Emergency Roadside Service coverage that can be added to your auto insurance policy for about $5 per vehicle per year. If you have questions about this, give us a call at 301-948-2010 and ask to speak with one of our experience insurance professionals.
Traction Control
You’ll see an outline of a car with two squiggly tire track lines behind it.
If you see this light illuminated, it’s best to take your car to an experienced mechanic as soon as you can. It means that your car’s stability control is off or has failed. It can be dangerous to drive your car in these conditions.
Check Engine
On some vehicles, you’ll see a symbol that looks like a car engine. Other cars may simply have the words “CHECK ENGINE”.
When this light is illuminated, it means that there is something wrong with your vehicle’s motor or emissions system. You could have a major mechanical issue on your hands or it could be something as minor as a loose cap. Get to a service garage as soon as possible when you see this.
Battery
This symbol looks like a battery in the shape of a box that has a “+” and “-“ sign.
When you see this, it means there is a problem with your car’s electrical system. Your battery could be defective or it means that your car’s alternator is no longer working properly. This means that, as you drive, your battery is not being recharged. Ignoring this problem instead of taking your car to a repair shop could end up leaving you stranded on the side of the road.
Low Fuel
This symbol looks like the outline of a gas pump.
Whenever this symbol is illuminated, it’s an indication that you need to get yourself to a gas station quickly.
Airbag
This symbol looks like a person sitting in a car with a large ball in front of their head.
If you see this symbol lit, it means that your car’s internal system has detected a problem with the passenger safety system. Whenever you drive your car, you want to make sure that your safety systems are functioning properly, so that in the event of an accident, you’ll remain safe.
Washer Fluid
This symbol looks like a windshield with a stream of water spraying in an upward direction.
Whenever you see this symbol illuminated, it means that your windshield wiper fluid reservoir is low or empty. Wiper fluid is usually available for purchase at any gas station or auto repair shop.
Brake System
While some vehicles will show a symbol of a what looks like a circle with parentheses on either side, others simply display the word “BRAKE”.
There is a problem with your car’s braking system. It’s not safe to drive your car under these conditions since you never know when your brakes may fail and cause a serious accident.
Anti-Lock (ABS) System
This symbol looks like this: (ABS)
If this light is illuminated, it means there is a problem with your car’s anti-lock brake system. This system is designed to prevent your wheels from locking up under a hard stop. Usually, when this light is lit, it means you’ll need to replace your ABS sensor. This is an important safety feature to have functioning properly, so that you can remain as safe as possible behind the wheel.
Transmission
This symbol is a gear icon with an exclamation point or a thermometer in the center.
When this light is illuminated, it means there’s a problem with your vehicle’s transmission. Your transmission could be overheating or a sensor has recorded a mechanical issue. In either case, it’s best to get your vehicle to a mechanic right away.
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Must-Know Tips for Boating Safety
The weather’s finally getting warmer and it’s time to enjoy your time out on the water with friends and family. Regardless of whether you’re a seasoned boating expert or a newbie, it’s a good idea to freshen up on boating safety, so that you and those you care about most can have a fun, memorable experience out on the water.
Unfortunately, boating accidents claim lives every single year. To prevent a potential tragedy, follow these safety precautions before taking the boat out:
Have your boat inspected. The Vessel Safety Check is a free public service that is offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron volunteers. Experts will make sure that your boat meets the minimum safety requirements and also that you have the necessary safety equipment onboard that can save lives and get help in the event of an emergency.
Make sure you have plenty of life jackets on board. The easiest way to keep yourself safe while you’re on a boat is by wearing a life jacket. Eighty-two percent of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket, according to Coast Guard studies. At minimum, you should have a life jacket readily available for each person on board your boat. Laws do require that you wear a life jacket while on board as well. In states where no children’s life jacket law in in place, a U.S. Coast Guard interim rule states that children under the age of 13 are required to wear a life jacket that is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Develop and communicate a float plan. All important information pertaining to your trip including contact information for your trip leader, the type of boat you’re using, and where you plan to use your boat should be included in the plan.
Remember that consuming alcohol while on a boat is not a good idea. Sixteen percent of all recreational boating deaths have been linked to the consumption of alcohol. Although it’s not illegal to drink while boating, think of the situation the same way as driving a car under the influence of alcohol. Your reaction time is impaired and you could jeopardize the lives of yourself and your loved ones.
Pay attention to the weather. Before taking your boat out on the water, take a look at the weather forecast to make sure no thunderstorms will be on the way. Windy days also present certain hazards while boating. Waves can potentially capsize smaller vessels or passengers could fall overboard.
Keep your boating skills sharp. Operational error accounts for over 70% of boating accidents each year. You can improve your boating skills by enrolling in educational courses.
Know how to swim. If you’re out on the water in any situation, you should know how to swim. Otherwise, like it or not, you are putting yourself at risk. Floatation devices can help, but only so much.
Read moreTips to Remain Safe While Sharing the Road With Motorcyclists
Millions of people embark on the open road on their motorcycles every year.
While riding a motorcycle can have an element of thrill, it can also present danger. Riding a motorcycle is much less safe than driving a car or a truck. In fact, estimate from the federal government show that the number of deaths per mile traveled on motorcycles was 29 times the number deaths in cars in 2019.
While there’s the obvious risk from lack of bodily protection a person has while on a motorcycle, it’s important to understand that other drivers on the road play a role as well.
According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, over half of all motorcycle accidents resulting in fatalities involve another vehicle. More alarming is that, most of the time, it’s the fault of the driver of the car or truck, not the driver of the motorcycle.
As drivers of cars and trucks, we have a responsibility to be aware of motorcyclists on the road. Here are a few things we can remember when we’re on the road:
Be aware of motorcyclists during the warmer months. Being aware of your surroundings is a surefire way to stay safe on the road. And keeping a mental note that you’ll likely see someone on a motorcycle when the weather is warm may be helpful in keeping both you and the motorcyclist safe.
Check your blind spots. Being that motorcycles are much smaller than cars or trucks, they’re not as easy to see. Regularly checking your blind spots before turning or changing lanes can help to keep motorcyclists safe and will keep you safe from making a terrible mistake.
Don’t get too close. As with other cars on the road, you should always maintain a safe distance between yourself and motorcycles. To be extra careful, consider increasing the distance between your car and a motorcycle. Motorcycles can come to a complete stop much more quickly than a car can. Don’t tailgate!
Stay in your lane. Motorcycles are allowed to use full lanes. Don’t try to share a lane with them. Keep your distance.
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