Tag: VIN

A Car Scratch Repair Kit Can Resolve All Your Scratch Problems

No matter what you do, you will most likely get a scratch on your car at some point and you will have to buy a car scratch repair kit. Either you’ll let someone borrow your car and they’ll scrape the side view mirror against the garage trying to pull it out, or a shopper will smack into your door at the grocery store, or that thorn bush in the driveway that you haven’t felt like trimming will leave marks all over the side. If you really have bad luck, someone will scratch you a message with a key.

The good news is that there are many available car scratch repair kits and products in the market that are completely affordable, if you’re willing to spend a few minutes of your time to do the repairing yourself. The techniques are so simple and effective that you wont need to pay a professional to get the perfection that you want.

There are a few different levels of scratching that will determine the kind of car scratch repair kit you will need to use. In order to figure out what kind of scratch is on your car, examine the area. There are four basic layers that a scratch can leave exposed. These include the clear coating that protects the color, the color paint itself, the primer underneath the paint, and finally the actual steel paneling.

If the smear on your car is elevated on the paint, it may not even be a scratch. Most probably, something like rubber or a similar compound was stuck to your car and can removed by mere washing. On the other hand, deeper scratches that go through the primer into the metal will call for more than a simple car scratch repair kit. If this is the case, get a perfect paint match by taking your VIN number to a local body shop, and use a fine sandpaper to prepare the area.

Take note that to get the best deal, your car scratch repair kit should include a liquid scratch remover, a cotton cloth, soft sponge, natural sheepskin mitt and a good wax. If the scratch on your car barely scrapes the paint or clear coating, follow these steps to bring back your cars glossy finish.

You will first need to clean the area well with water (add a little soap) and the sponge. Once the area is dry, rub the scratch remover onto the car with the cotton cloth in a circular pattern. After a couple minutes of applying the remover, wipe off the area. Finally, apply the wax with the sheepskin mitt.

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that your car will never acquire any scratches. Just use the suggested cloths, cotton and sheepskin mitt to avoid further damage during the repair. Make sure to apply high-quality wax regularly to keep away future scratch marks from your vehicle. Now that you know what to expect in the best car scratch repair kit, eliminating your scratch should be a breeze.

The Story Behind Car Theft 4 Good Reasons Why People Will Try To Steal Your Automobile

An automobile is a large financial commitment. If you have a brand new vehicle, you probably saved for years in order to get it. If you have a clunker, then you’re also investing a great deal of money for upkeep, repairs and tint job because you don’t want to be seen driving it. You see, it does not make a difference what kind of automobile you have. It will cost you a considerable amount of cash so you have to do anything in order to safeguard it.

Unfortunately, vehicle thieves understand this as well. Vehicles are very attractive in the eyes of these criminals and this is the rationale why there are innumerable accounts of stolen cars occurring on a daily basis. Generally, people steal cars for fast bucks. It is just an incentive for them that it is reasonably less dangerous for them to steal automobiles than burglarize houses.

But what is the story behind car theft? What are the specific reasons why it occurs? Here are 4 of the most prevalent explanations why your car is in danger:

Your car will be put to use for short-term transportation.

Your vehicle will be stolen, used for a couple of minutes or hours, and will then be trashed someplace else. Makes sense? Yes, since this usually happens in criminal activities like bank heists and even drive-by shootings. Criminals do not want to utilize their own vehicles so that they can’t be traced to them. So what they do is they take someone else’s car.

Your car is in danger if it is a sports car for obvious reasons. Vans are also easy marks since they are sought after by bank robbers. But even unassuming cars are vulnerable. Criminals use them so that they won’t stick out from the public.

It will go directly to a chop shop.

This is where unique vehicles and hoopties are on the same page. As long as your vehicle has useful parts, it can be stolen. The taken car will go straight to a chop shop where it is “Everything Must Go!” The automobile will be chopped up and the functional parts will be sold off or utilized.

The toughest part about it is there’s a very good chance that you will not see your precious automobile anymore. You can try checking a shop offering second-hand car parts. Maybe you can locate and purchase your own tires back.

Your car will be converted.

Car thieves steal vehicles because they want to make cash out of it. What they occasionally do after taking your vehicle is they go out to a car wreck yard where they take the VIN of a totally destroyed vehicle and use it for the taken automobile. Right now, the thief has 2 options. He can either make use of the “new” car as his own or he can sell it to some unsuspecting bloke. Either way, there’s a very good probability that he’ll get away with it.

It will be utilized to commit insurance scam.

This is a little distinct from the other reasons because it is usually done with the authorization of the car owner. Yes, the owner will assist in the theft of his car so he can commit insurance fraud. An owner can team up with some of his close friends so that they will “steal” the automobile. This is why it’s often known as “friendly theft”. Some even take it to the next level by selling the car to a chop shop for some cash. The owner will then inform the insurance firm that it was stolen so he can get some money.

Sometimes, this can also occur without your knowledge. There are cases when the significant other plans the theft without informing the partner.

These are just 4 explanations but you should easily see why you’re in danger of vehicle theft. Do the required precautions now and protect the investment that you’ve made.

Tips With Regards To Buying A Car Out Of State

The reasons of buying a car out of state are many that may sound appealing. People are attracted to purchasing a car from another state. Buying a car out of state involve consideration on the pros and cons. Each state has its own set of rules and regulations, and you need to be well versed with the state laws to determine whether it is really worth the effort.

Other states may offer a better selection of models than the state you reside in. Deals which you may not find in your state and some dealers also offer special incentives. Other state may be less tax as compared to where you live.You may have less to worry about buying a new car. Considering the fact that you are striking a deal with a person far away from you, you need to take the most precautions for a used car.

Always remember that all that glitters is not gold.

Gather all the information about the car before you can negotiate further. You need to make the effort and head across to inspect the car thoroughly. These are the things you need to consider when calculating the costs involved. Do an online title search in order to determine if there is anything wrong with the ownership of the vehicle. If you aren’t mechanically inclined, you may be better off taking someone along to inspect the car, such as your trusted mechanic. The basis in which you will do a world of good in the long run is not too late. This will also enable you to negotiate better when buying a car out of state.

You can find out more about the car’s history of ownership and other relevant details in the Department of Motor Vehicles. You can use this information to your advantage and reduce the price of the car if possible.Learn to drive a hard bargain

Speaking of taxes, states such as Oregon, New Hampshire, and South Carolina levy fewer taxes as compared to other states such as Nevada. Some states levy taxes annually. Apart from sales tax, a registration fee is levied each year.Local taxes are charged by some states. Therefore, you need to give taxes a careful consideration when buying a car out of state.

Buying from a private seller can get complicated while purchasing a car from a dealership may be easier. From the seller you need to get the owner’s name, mileage, and the VIN or Vehicle Identification Number. You need to procure a temporary tag from the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state, prior to this. Apply for a new title in your name from the DMV in your state and surrender the title from the seller in their state is the second step, after paying the taxes due on the purchase of the vehicle.

Make sure you weigh the pros and cons of the deal. Often, it may be prudent to purchase a car in your own state. Plans offered by a dealership may not be useful if you have to travel too far.

Best Anti-theft Devices For Your Car

Top 10 Most Stolen Cars by Make & Model:

2010 Rank Model 2009 Rank
1. Honda Accord 2
2. Honda Civic 1
3. Toyota Camry 3
4. Acura Integra 4
5. Cadillac Escalade 5
6. Toyota Corolla 6
7. Dodge Ram (New)
8. Nissan Altima 8
9. Nissan Maxima (New)
10. Chevrolet Tahoe 7

LoJack says auto theft is on the rise again in some cities,
with some $5.2 billion in lost assets.

Top 10 States for Car Theft:

2010 Rank State 2009 Rank
1. California 1
2. Texas 2
3. Florida 3
4. New York 4
5. Massachusetts 5
6. New Jersey 6
7. Arizona 7
8. Maryland 8
9. Georgia 10
10. Nevada 9

Do you feel lucky? Do you think you own a car that is not worth stealing?”
FACT: A car is stolen every 26 seconds in the US (FBI’s 2007 Crime Reports). Nothing guarantees your car won’t be robbed, but you can improve your odds without spending a fortune. Luckily for you, there are a variety of car security options available to protect our beloved automobiles. As more Americans equipped their cars with anti-theft devices, the auto theft rate dropped 12.6% from 2007-2008 in the US. But that is still 2 cars stolen every minute. So, you should properly secure your vehicle with one of the anti-theft devices below. Unless you feel lucky…Do ya?

Before you booby trap your truck, here are some factors you should consider:
How much are you willing to invest in car security? Figure out your price limit.
How safe is your neighborhood? Cities have a higher crime rate than more suburban areas. City dwellers may choose to have more auto security. NOTE: Port cities and those along the southern border are also at a higher risk for car theft.
How expensive is your car? You might think newer cars look more tempting to thieves, but not necessarily so. Newer models typically have more security, so they carry a higher risk of getting caught. Older cars usually do not have security features, so they can be quickly and easily dismantled to be sold for parts. The parts of a vehicle, when sold separately, can be worth up to three times the price of the car when sold as a whole. (Texas Theft Prevention Authority).

The cheapest and most effective car anti-theft device is…your brain. Try to park in well lit areas, or parking lots with attendants. Don’t leave your valuables in plain sight: GPS, CD player, shopping bags, purse, wallet, Iphone, Ipod, etc. Keep a thin blanket in your trunk, and use it to cover shopping bags in your car. Never ever leave your keys in the ignition when you leave your car…not even for a quick pop into the gas station. (*Yes, people actually DO this, and it is how many cars get stolen.) The more security you have installed, the less appealing your car will be…to a thief. In addition, some security measures will lower your car insurance premium by 15% to 36%. So, think of it as an investment! Ive broken down the most popular car anti-theft devices into 3 catagories:
Mechanical Immobilizers, Electrical Immobilizers and Vehicle Tracking.

Mechanical Immobilizers

These are the least expensive car anti-theft devices, designed to restrict access to or movement of the vehicle. The biggest advantage of mechanical immobilizers is their highly visual appearance, which should ward off amateur car thieves, but not the pros. Police authorities recommend including one of these in conjunction with other anti-theft devices.
Steering-Wheel Lock: The Club is the most popular steering wheel lock, and the least expensive anti-theft option. This device goes over the steering wheel and locks it in place, so no one can drive it until they remove the lock.
Price Range: Low End: $25, High End: $100
Hood Lock: This device will block access to the battery and deter thieves who sell cars off for parts.
Price Range: Low End: $20, High End: $50
Tire Lock: These deterrents are highly visible and hard to get off. (Again, I know youve seen car “boots” used by law enforcement on illegally parked cars on the Parking Wars TV show.) Since tire locks take time and effort to attach and remove, these would not be my first choice for your daily driver vehicle.
Price Range: Low End: $80, High End: $200
Other Car Anti-Theft Options: Gearshift locks, ignition/steering wheel column and crook locks, gear shifter locks and brake pedal locks.

Electronic Immobilizers

Many modern vehicles come standard with car keys and fobs that protect their cars via electronic immobilizers. These built-in transponders or microchips send signals to the ignition and fuel-pump systems. When anyone attempts to use the car without these signals, the car will not start. Car thieves often avoid cars with electronic immobilizers.
Kill Switch: This anti-theft device can be activated to shut down part of the engine’s electrical system. (I know youve seen this used in bait cars on the COPS TV show.) Some cars have them built in, and they are pretty easy to install. A popular model is the Master Lock Starter Sentry, which kills the fuel or starter system via a wireless transmitter. Other ignition kill switches are activated the moment a car is locked and cannot be deactivated until a series of tasks are completed (i.e., unlocking the car, pressing the gas pedal once, buckling your seat belt, etc.). Always check your car’s warranty first, because some dont allow installation, and remember to hide the Kill Switch, so a thief wont see and disable it.
Price Range: Low End: $10, High End: $200
Car Alarm: These are the most visually effective anti-theft devices. Sometimes drawing a potential thiefs attention to the fact that your car has an alarm system is enough to deter them. So, be sure to put a stick in the window, on both sides, proudly proclaiming you have a car security system activated. (DO buy & apply these stickers…even if you do NOT have a car alarm. The thought of a security system should make any thief choose another victim!) Car alarms feature electronic sensors designed to activate when a vehicle is breached: unauthorized entry, breaking of glass, sudden movement, and perimeter violations. When a threat is detected by the sensors, a siren activates (at over 120 dBs), alerting the cars driver and everyone else within earshot. (Be wary of older, cheaper car alarms…Flexible-circuit alarms and single-stage sirens…which are too easily triggered, and may come at the expense of your neighbors’ friendship.) Always hook your car alarm up to a backup battery and/or invest in a hood lock. Many car thieves know how to unplug a car alarms battery, which will silence it.
Price Range: Low End: $150, High End: $1,000

VEHICLE TRACKING

Even if a thief steals your car, new vehicle tracking technologies can get it back again. The least expensive form of vehicle tracking is VIN etching. The more expensive tracking devices are electronic and offer a real-time location of the stolen vehicle using Global Positioning Systems (GPS). These are sold with service contracts, and have a reputation for relocating many vehicles a mere hour after they have been stolen.

VIN Etching (Vehicle Identification Number): Every vehicle has a unique, 17-digit serial number assigned to it called a VIN. The VIN will be on the cars title, on the dashboard (driver-side), and on your insurance and registration cards. You can brand your cars parts by etching its VIN number on all windows and all important parts. Doing this serves as both a tracking device and a theft deterrent. Most car thieves steer clear of etched vehicles because of the expense in replacing and disposing of VIN-coded glass.
Price Range: DIY kits sell for $20, or you can hire a professional to do this for you.

Vehicle Tracking System: This is the cadillac of auto theft protection, so be prepared to pay top dollar. The two biggest companies are LoJack and OnStar. LoJack features a hidden transmitter in the car, which is activated once a theft is reported. This company works directly with law enforcement, and boasts a 90 percent return rate on stolen vehicles. OnStar offers a similar system, which comes standard on all new model cars from GM, Acura, Audi, Isuzu and Volkswagen. (Again, I say you should display their stickers, even if you dont have the system!)
Price Range: Low End: $295, High End: $1395 (for car alarm & tracking system)

What Do I Need To Sell My Car What If My Registration Has Expired What If I Still Owe Money On It

What do I need to do to sell my car?

The time has come for you to sell your car and, naturally, you’ve got questions.

There are a few obvious ones –

What documents do I need to sell my car?
Can I sell my car if the registration has expired?
Can I sell a car on which I still owe money?

These questions may seem daunting, but in actual fact, the answers are fairly straightforward.

What documents do a need to sell my car?

The single key document you will need is a proof of ownership. Obviously, the state and the dealer will want to know that you are the owner of the vehicle and that you do, indeed, have the right to sell the car. The document you are most likely to have to hand is the title. If you have this, it’s easy to just sign it over to the dealer. The dealer will also have all the forms to accompany the sale of a car using the title. If you do not have the title you must visit any DMV office and apply for a duplicate title by completing a Vehicle Registration/Title Application.

You’ll also want to accompany the proof of ownership with an original bill of sale. This can take almost any form, as most DMVs do not supply official bills of sale. It needs to include the name of the buyer and the seller, the VIN of the vehicle in question, the date, the make and model of the vehicle and the price.

If the car is currently registered, youll want to bring the registration documents with you. Once you have finalized the sale, make sure to remove the license plates and the registration sticker. That way you will not be liable for tickets the next owner may get.

If the car is paid off, youll want to have the lien release document. This is a document sent by the lien-holder (usually a bank or finance company) once the car is paid off. It notes to VIN and the date of the final payment and officially releases the car from the lien. You can still sell the car if there is money owed on it (see below)

Almost all other paper work related to the sale of a car can be provided by the used car dealer.

Can I sell my car if the Registration has expired?

Yes.

If the car is not registered or you cannot find the registration, a visit to the DMV will help. There you can get a Vehicle Registration/Title Application, or a Certification of Registration for Transfer of Non-Titled Vehicle. You could also use an original Affidavit of Sale or a Manufacturers Certificate of Origin. In some situations you can use an expired registration certificate.

Each state is has different rules about the finer points, but the answer to the question is yes, you can sell an unregistered car or a car for which you do not have the tags. The dealer will be able to help you figure out exactly which form you can use.

Can I sell a car on which I still owe money?

Yes.

The dealer will arrange to pay off the money due on the car. This money will be deducted from the amount given to you for the car. Thus, if you agree on a price of $6,000 for the car and you still owe $4,000 on it, the dealer will pay you $4000 and give you the remaining $2000. Youll need to bring along the paperwork relating to the loan if you can. The payments coupon book will do, or at a minimum, you need to know that name of the institution which is financing the car. They will be able to look up the car by the VIN and then figure out the exact amount due.

Of course, the amount will be less than the figure in your coupon book. Thats because you will be paying it off early and therefore paying less in interest. Cars which are still on lease are handled in much the same way. This is one of the great advantages of selling your car to a used car dealer. Because this is all they do, they are experts in doing business with the financiers and are able to get the paperwork done much more quickly. Often, when it is time to sell your car, the whole transaction can take as little as fifteen minutes.

A long-time New York used car dealer has a useful article about when it’s time to sell your car. Most reputable dealers will make sure that everything is in order before you walk out, but this checklist will help you get to that point.