Are you wavering between purchasing a vehicle from a dealership or purchasing from a seller on Craigslist? Just like anything you see when you are purchasing something off of craigslist there is always going to be a buyer beware. We are going to let you know what some of the problems with buying a car off of Craigslist are and how you can protect yourself.

When spending thousands of dollars on a vehicle off craigslist you lose all protections of the NYS Lemon Law, especially if you are purchasing from a private owner. You are rolling the dice on a car that may stop working a few days after you purchase it, because it was purchased from a private owner you are responsible for the repairs. Whereas if you were to purchase it from a dealership the dealership would be responsible for the repairs that follow under NYS Lemon Law. 

 

With that being said, you may want to reconsider purchasing a vehicle off of Craigslist.

 

Zero Customer Protection When Buying Through Craigslist

 

When buying a vehicle off of craigslist there are no guarantees on what to expect. You are most certainly not protected by NYS Lemon Law when purchasing from a private owner. How to protect yourself: 

 

-Get the VIN number from the seller and run an Autocheck report, this will inform you where the vehicle has been registered. If it has had any accidents and how many owners, as well as if it is a salvage vehicle. Usually, this is something that the seller provides. 

 

-Take the vehicle into a repair shop and have them look it over and do an inspection of the vehicle. This may cost a little bit, but it could save you a ton of money in the long run.

 
If the seller is refusing to give you the VIN number and/or allowing you to take it to a repair shop. Then it may be best to walk away, as there may be something wrong with the vehicle.
Consumer Protection When Buying Through A Dealership 

 

All NYS dealerships offer consumer protection through NYS Lemon Law. If there is an issue with a vehicle that is covered under NYS Lemon Law, you as a consumer have the right to have the dealer address it and fix the problem. With a Craigslist purchase, you cannot go back to the seller and tell them to pay for XYZ repairs because you are now the owner of the vehicle and it was done through a private sale. 

 

Auto Outlets USA Peace Of Mind
 


When it comes to purchasing a reliable vehicle you know will work and live up to what you are looking for in a high-quality used car, there is no better way than to purchase from a reputable dealership. We invite you to check out our wide selection of high-quality used vehicles. There is a high probability that you will find exactly what you are looking for, if not we will find it at the auction for you! We go through each vehicle with our 119 point inspection, NYS inspection and ensure that your next vehicle is running as efficiently as possible. We want your next vehicle buying experience to be enjoyable and hassle-free! Whether you are shopping on Rochester, NY Craigslist, or Syracuse, NY Craigslist for a used car. Check out Auto Outlets USA and avoid the problems of purchasing a used vehicle off of Craigslist.