Car Paperwork Terms with Definitions
Here are car paperwork terms and definitions you
will come across when you are buying
and selling automobiles for profit.
Insurance card: Some states require you to have car
paperwork proving that you
carry
automobile insurance. If you ever get stopped
by the Police then they will ask for this along with your registration and
drivers license. If you don’t have one then you could be liable for a very stiff
fine and/or confiscate your automobile.
Registration: This is one of the car paperwork terms that describes an
annual tax that is paid to the state for being able to have your car on public
roads. You’re supposed to keep this in your auto at all times. It shows all the
particulars of your vehicle like make, model, year, VIN, weight and the
registered owners name and address.
Safety Check: Some states require you to take your vehicle to a state
certified Safety Check outlet once a year and have it inspected to make sure
that all the things that supposedly make a vehicle safe to drive are working
correctly. These might be: Your tires, brakes, lights, horn, body panels, etc.
Its not a bad idea for places that rain or snow a lot and the salt the roads
because a relatively new automobile can literally fall apart in front of your
eyes due to the rust. The challenge is finding a place that doesn’t impose
overbearing standards for this type of car paperwork.
Service Documentation: The car paperwork that shows repair descriptions,
parts and costs, and all maintenance done for your vehicle. You should always
keep these papers so you will have a history of your vehicle and know whats been
done and when you need to do it next. This type of automobile paperwork is also
great for re-sale value because then buyers can see confirm all the wonderful
things you are telling them about the car you are selling.
Smog Certificate: Some states require you to have your vehicle go through
a smog check once every couple years or whenever the car is sold. The burden is
usually on the seller to get this for the buyer, but this varies by state. I
would be very careful about buying any truck where the seller does not provide a
Smog Certificate because in California your automobile can be considered a Gross
Polluter by the state if it doesn’t pass and the repairs could cost you more
than the auto is worth. Certain commercial vehicles, diesels and autos over 25
years old are exempt. You need to check with your states DMV department before
buying to see what car paperwork is required.
Salvage Title: If a car has been "totaled" by an insurance company then
they will call it a Salvage Vehicle and this is clearly stated on the title. It
just means that the car was damaged beyond the point where it is worth
repairing. Unless you're willing to sell a Salvage Title vehicle at a really
cheap price, you might want to forego buying one of these because buyers will
often freak when they see this on the title and will back out.
Title: Also known as the Certificate Of Ownership or Pink Slip, etc. This
is a paper document given by the state government (in the U.S.) that has all the
identifying numbers like: Make, Model, Year, VIN (Vehicle Identification
Number), odometer reading, owners name and address shown throughout your
automobile paperwork. Some states are going to paper-less titles to save costs.
If you financed your vehicle then the Title will be held by the bank or whoever
gave you the loan until you’ve paid off the car
loan.
Vehicle History Report: For only $20.00 you can make sure the used
vehicle you might be buying hasn't been formally titled as a salvage vehicle,
wasn't a fleet vehicle, etc. and has a clear title by getting a
vehicle history report.
Vehicle Identification Number: Also known as the VIN Number, or VIN, or
VIN #. It’s a unique number given by the automobiles manufacturer that is
stamped on the vehicle on the top of the dashboard on the drivers side. You can
usually see it from the outside of the automobile looking through the windshield
on the drivers side. You will also see the VIN listed on all your car paperwork.
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Car Paperwork Terms And Go To The Auto Terms Start Page
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