Question Regarding Certified Used Vehicles
A Question From One of My Website Visitors Along With My Comments:
Hi Tony,
Nice website. I have a question for you.
I traded my Mustang GT for a Ford Explorer at a large Ford dealership. I miss my convertible. It had been wrecked during the time I owned it. The Explorer I traded it in for was a Certified Vehicle.
I checked to see if they were selling my Mustang. I was surprised to see it in Auto Trader . . . as a Certified Vehicle! They also said there was a lien on it. There never was. I know it was my old car because it had the same VIN number.
Now I am wondering if the certification for the Ford Explorer is any good. What if this car was wrecked? How do I find out. Can't they get in trouble for selling my car as Certified? I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you,
Rhonda B.
My Answer:
Hi Rhonda,
First of all, as far as your Explorer goes you should get a Carfax Report. It will give you a history of the vehicle. Just go to: http://www.insidercarsecrets.com/cf , then you'll know exactly what you have.
As far as the Mustang goes I suppose it is possible they didn't know the car had been wrecked. Unless you told them when you traded it they probably can play stupid and say they didn't know. Of course, when they certify a vehicle they are supposed to give it a thorough check over. You would think that a professional technician would spot any body repair, but perhaps not if the job was professionally done.
I'm not sure, but a vehicle having been damaged in a wreck may not necessarily preclude it from becoming a Certified Vehicle.
I can understand your apprehensiveness about your Explorer. The Carfax Report will put you at ease as long as it comes back clean. In reality, a dealer can certify any vehicle they want to. As long as the vehicle is within the age specified by the manufacturer all they have to do is follow the repair checklist, and pay the required fee to the factory for the certified warranty. Then they simply add the cost of it to the price of the vehicle and presto...they have a Certified Vehicle!
The only way they can get in trouble for selling the Mustang is if they were told by you that the car was wrecked and they fail to disclose that fact to the new buyer. And even then laws vary from state to state regarding the severity of this.
Let's hope your Explorer is legitimately in good shape and gives you good service as long as you have it. Let the Mustang be their problem. In the future get a Carfax Report before you make a deal on a used car, then you'll have peace of mind from the outset.
All my very best to you...
Tony Iorio
http://www.insidercarsecrets.com
