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Research what problem areas the vehicle may have and check if the problem has been resolved. For example, many European classics have electrical problems, so check that the components are in working order. The more you know about your car of interest, the better decision you will make when buying it. This is not only to make sure that you like it, but also to test for any problems. Look for anything out of the ordinary and pay special attention to how it sounds. Squeaking, grinding, and clunking are not good signs! Make sure to get permission from the dealer or owner before driving it. If you don't know a lot about cars, bring someone along for the ride who is an expert, like a friend from your owner's club. Make sure it is actually registered to the seller. This will help you to avoid fees and avoid buying a stolen car. You can check with the DMV or vehiclehistory.gov by the car's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which can be found on its registration. There is usually a small fee of a couple of dollars to check the title.Image:Buy a Classic Car Step 12.jpg|center]] Does it have its original parts? What damage is there? Each little repair will quickly add up. Look for welding marks, which can signal a clip job. Pay attention to the quality of the paint and notice any dents or misaligned panels. Missing trim and odd smells are another cause for concern. You need to carefully examine any car before you buy it. The lower the mileage, the less it has been used, the more valuable it is. There is nothing wrong with high-mileage cars, but low-mileage is important if you want your car to be an investment. Additionally, low-mileage cars often require less upkeep than high-mileage cars. But since they are in newer condition, they will likely cost you more. A low-mileage car would be one with 40,000 miles, for example, while a high-mileage car might have 200,000 miles. Be aware of mileage scams. Some sellers try to trick buyers by claiming a car has lower miles than it actually has. Any car that has been around for at least 15 years is likely to have significant mileage. Since the odometer can be changed, pay attention to other parts of the car such as the carpets, headliner, gearshift knob, spare wheel, tires, and brake pads. If these have significant wear or damage but the mileage is under 50,000, then something is askew. Low-mileage classics are very rare but are often faked, so be sure to look for the telltale signs. This will provide you with valuable information on the car to make sure it has not been stolen and to check how many people owned the car previously. This can be completed online using a service such as Carfax. Simply enter the car's VIN or license plate and find out its history, including accidents, recalls, usage, damage, and registration. This will cost around $40, but many dealers offer them for free. Keep in mind that classic cars will generally have multiple owners. This is to be expected, but if your owners are keeping the car for less than a year or two, this could indicate a problem. For example, for a forty-year-old car, between five and ten owners is perfectly acceptable, but over twenty would be cause for concern. Ideally, two owners per decade is a good rule of thumb. Car inspection companies and car repair shops offer inspections. A thorough inspection will be conducted by an expert who will look at the car's exterior, engine, brakes, tires, radiator, belts, hoses, and fluids. This is an especially important step if you are not a mechanic. This can help you to avoid buying a car with any major problems. If you are buying the car from a dealer, it will likely come with an inspection. National Auto Inspection Services offer inspections for $220. To get an inspection specific to classic cars, find a list of inspectors at fossilcars.com/resources/classic-car-inspections. It is a good idea to get a classic car inspected by a specialist that knows exactly what to look for with classics. You don't need to worry about finding an inspector specifically for your car's make or model, but finding one specifically for classics will help. Expect some rust, but if an entire panel is rusted, this is cause for concern. Significant rust means the car has not been properly maintained. It can also indicate more serious problems with the car. A little rust around the edges is to be expected in an old car, but significant rust means you should look elsewhere. Check that the VIN on the car's title matches the official VIN tag. If they do not match then the vehicle may have been in a severe accident, stolen, or counterfeit. VIN numbers were first used in 1954 and the numbers and letters used, as well as the length, varied by manufacturer until they became standardized in the 80s. You may be able to locate VIN or serial numbers on a sticker on the driver's side door, on the firewall, or elsewhere in the engine compartment. Check the engine, transmission, and rear axle to make sure they have the same VIN number as well. The last six numbers of the VIN should be on the engine, and matching dates should be on the transmission and rear axle.
Learn about the classic you are interested in. Drive the car before buying it. Check the car's title. Look carefully at the interior and exterior. Check the car's mileage. Get a used vehicle history report. Get it inspected. Look for rust damage. Check that the VINs (Vehicle Identification Number) match.