Buying a Car

Sandman · #1 10-11-2003, 10:35 PM

Hi, I am interested in buying a car in the DR.

I found one for sale privately. It seems like a good deal -maybe too good of a deal. I was wondering how to check to make sure all the paperwork is in order and it is not stolen.

Thanks!

Ken · #2 10-11-2003, 11:19 PM

Have a trustworthy attorney check it out. You are wise to be leery.

Sandman · #3 10-11-2003, 11:23 PM

What would he specifically need to check out?

pasha · #4 10-12-2003, 08:41 AM

If the car came from/via the US, would a VIN check with Carfax provide any info?

Best, P

Hillbilly · #5 10-12-2003, 01:43 PM

Caveat emptor!!

The modern version is, "If it;s too good to be true, it usually is!!"

HB

lhtown · #6 10-14-2003, 11:54 PM

I am no lawyer, but I understand that the most important things are to make sure that the person selling the car actually owns the car and also that the vehicle wasn't stolen (the police can check the numbers against their database). Also, important is that the owner should have the title in his name. It is possible to be the owner and yet still not have the title put into your name either because you are lazy and just haven't gotten around to it(quite common) or a tax evader and are hoping that the buyer will make a contract with the person who owned the vehicle before you in effect leaving no paper trail with the sellers name on it so that he won't have to pay taxes. I wouldn't put up with that nonsense. If they won't put it in their name, look elsewhere.

You will need the help of an attorney to do the contracts and check out the paperwork. It isn't a real big deal, but it is important to be thorough and careful. If it seems to good to be true... If it doesn't "feel" right.... buyer beware!

Escott · #7 10-15-2003, 12:14 AM

I bought a car from a friend and took the papers to the attorney I use for real estate to tell me it was ok.

That was from a friend. If I didn't know the guy I would have had the Army pick it up for me!

Scott

cwoodward3356 · #8 10-15-2003, 04:23 PM

I recommend buying from a good dealership. You may pay a little bit more, but atleast you'll know that paperwork is in good order.

Buying from a private owner there can be very tricky.

MrMike · #9 10-15-2003, 05:26 PM

Buying from a "good" dealership is not foolproof either, large dealerships are just as likely to rip you off and less likely to get in trouble for it.

When our company buys vehicles for whatever reason, our lawyer sends a copy of the title "matricula" to the police who check it against their database to find out if there are liens against it, as well as if it is stolen or whatever. This took weeks the last time, because the computer system in the capitol was down - but at least we were sure there were no problems with the title.

adrianb · #10 10-18-2003, 07:19 PM

How much should I expect to pay for the

- attorney to check out the car, run it by the police for liens, etc
- getting it registered in my name (or does the attorney do this?)

Basically I'm looking for an approximate number above the selling price of the car, which makes it mine.

I checked about basic insurance, and that comes to about RD $3500/year.