And What You Should Know About Buying a Used Vehicle
What is Curbstoning?
Curbstoning is an unlicensed vehicle deal. A person who sells vehicles on the street or “at the curb” instead of at a dealership location could be a curbstoner. Curbstoners may also advertise vehicles on social media, like Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, etc.
What are the Risks?
Buying from a curbstoner increases your risk of being unable to transfer a title. A curbstoned sale may masquerade as a “steal” but could actually be a previously wrecked vehicle, one with a “rolled back” odometer, or even a stolen vehicle. Curbstoners do not comply with state or federal laws and any dealings with them are not protected.
How to Spot a Possible Curbstoner?
Not everyone is out to break the law, but if your “great deal” is made with a vast majority of these conditions, look out! There are several “clues” you can look for:
- The seller admits he/she is a dealer but says it’s a personal vehicle. Other related clues:
- The seller refuses to provide you their identification/salesman license.
- The seller wants to meet at a different location other than his or her residence.
- The seller only wants to communicate on the social media platform and refuses to give a cell phone number.
- The same cell phone number is listed for multiple vehicles on social media, websites, newspaper, or outdoor location.
- The vehicles are for sale by the roadside, in vacant lots, at shopping centers, or in driveways.
- The seller offers to do the tag and title paperwork. Other related clues:
- The seller insists on a cash payment.
- The Bill of Sale does not match the location where the transaction takes place.
- The license plates are out-of-state, issued temporarily, are dealer tags, or missing altogether.
- The seller may also refuse to accompany you to the MVA to ensure the documents are in order.
- The title is recently issued, or the seller refuses to show you the title. Insist on examining the title:
- Is the vehicle's title not in the seller's name?
- Has it been altered with obvious erasure marks OR over writing of info? Many security features are openly described on title documents.
What to Ask
When you take a look at the vehicle, consider asking these questions of the seller:
- Are you the dealer? Why are you selling the car?
Remember, with the exception of private sales, anyone in the business of selling or buying vehicles in the State of Maryland must be licensed. Ask to see the dealer’s license and take a picture of it.
- Are you the owner of the vehicle? Is the vehicle titled in your name?
The seller of the vehicle must be the owner or co-owner (with the other owner’s permission). Check to see if the names on the title and seller’s driver’s license match - and not in the name of a business. Does the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), make, model and year match what is listed on the title? Review all the documents before buying!
- How long have you owned the vehicle? Did you buy it new?
These questions help to know if the vehicle has been well taken care of, or if you are looking at a vehicle with a 'shady past'! You can check into the history of the vehicle by looking up the VIN online under “vehicle history.” A history of auto auctions and/or sales across multiple states may indicate problems. Please note: A fee is charged for each vehicle history report.
- What is the mileage now and what was it when you bought the vehicle?
Check the mileage on the title against the odometer. It is important to note that vehicles normally average between 12,000 and 15,000 miles each year.
You might also want to check the odometer against the mileage of an oil change or other maintenance stickers found on the doorframe, in the glovebox, or under the hood. An odometer with numbers that are misaligned could indicate a possible “rollback.” If the odometer numbers “jiggle” when you strike the dashboard, that is another indication that someone may have tampered with them.
- Has there been any major work performed on the vehicle? Has the car had body repairs? Has the vehicle ever had a rust problem or been repainted? If the seller answers yes to any of these questions, ask for any receipts for the work performed on the vehicle.
If possible, have a qualified mechanic thoroughly check the vehicle. Look for paint color that is not evenly spread on the vehicle, check its texture, and whether or not there are any misaligned parts on the body of the vehicle. Check to see if the doors, hood, and trunk open and shut easily. You will want to check the wear on the tires. If the tires show they have uneven wear and tear on them, this may indicate abuse, poor wheel alignment, or damaged front-end components. You should also check the horn, the radio, the heater, the wipers, and the defoggers. Try the windows and seatbelts. Test the headlights, the taillights, the flashers, the back-up lights, the brake lights, the turn signals, and the parking lights. Check under the hood, and examine for worn hoses, battery leaks, dirty dipstick oil, or dark or burnt smelling transmission fluid.
- How has the car been driven? For example, did the seller take the car around town or was it taken on a majority of long trips?
Ask for service and warranty records. You will want to check for excessive brake pedal wear, which would be consistent with high mileage. To check the brakes, ask if you can test drive the vehicle. While you are driving 30 to 40 mph with no one behind you, apply the brakes 3 or 4 times. A consistent pull to the left or to the right will indicate a problem.
- What are the vehicle’s best features? What would I need to do to put the vehicle in top shape?
A seller who really has owned the vehicle will be able to answer these questions easily.
- Have you had the vehicle inspected?
Maryland law requires the seller to present the buyer with a Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate. Ask the seller for the CARFAX report.
Know the Law
Anyone in the business of buying or selling vehicles in Maryland must be licensed. A person selling 3 or more vehicles within a 12-month period may be considered an unlicensed dealer. Unlicensed dealers may face up to a $5,000 fine or up to 1 year in jail. Subsequent offenses may bring stiffer penalties. The MVA cannot force the curbstoner to return any money you used to purchase a car from them.
Dealers who advertise online and on social media must disclose that they are dealers. All licensed dealers must:
- Maintain a physical place of business and do business only at that location.
- Present the buyer with a Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate.
- Guarantee that the sales staff is licensed.
- Make every reasonable effort to guarantee that the vehicles have clear titles (which would indicate the vehicle is not stolen or one with odometer fraud.)
Dealers not licensed in Maryland may not sell vehicles in Maryland. Therefore, you need to be wary of any “bill of sale” or paperwork that indicates any out-of-state information.
Please report any unlicensed dealers to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration at 1-410-768-7000.
Hopefully your vehicle sale will be a safe, legal and enjoyable experience. If you have any questions, or concerns, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration is happy to help.