There are many things that you can do before buying a car to help reduce the chances of any issues occurring further down the line. An AA Vehicle History Report is one of them.
Unfortunately, used cars sold often hold hidden secrets that can cost their new owners a lot to rectify. An AA Vehicle History Report can bring these to your attention before you hand over your hard-earned cash. Here are five important checks a vehicle history report covers.
OUTSTANDING FINANCE
Did you know that if there’s a security interest registered, another person or company may seize the vehicle to pay off the debt?
An AA Vehicle History Report will scan the vehicle’s registration number against the Personal Properties and Securities Register data (PPSR) and determine whether the vehicle is debt-free or not. In 2020, 12 per cent of AA Vehicle History Reports issued had a security interest.
ODOMETER HISTORY
The lower the mileage, the more a vehicle is worth. Odometer history is recorded during every WoF/CoF inspection, and also during entry compliance inspections when a used import first enters New Zealand. We recommend when buying a used import to look for dealers that have AA Odometer Verified window stickers on their vehicles.
If the odometer reading is inconsistent, it may indicate that some tampering has occurred somewhere down the line, meaning that the vehicle could be much more worn than the mileage would indicate. In 2020, eight per cent of AA Vehicle History Reports found an issue with the odometer reading.
REGISTRATION STATUS
An AA History check will uncover if a vehicle is deregistered. A deregistered vehicle can be a costly and unexpected expense incurred when you need to get it back on the road. The vehicle cannot legally be driven and you’ll need to put it through the compliance process, which involves a much more stringent inspection than you’d get during your WoF.
Re-registrations should also be approached with caution. Either the vehicle was left without registration for 12 months (and automatically become deregistered) or the vehicle may have been in an accident and written off. If it’s the latter, you’ll need to get vehicle repair professionals to give a comprehensive assessment of the damage and repair.
IMPORTED AS DAMAGED
Buyers may be alerted if the vehicle has been flagged at the border inspection. This information will notify you about things like water or fire damage, often referred to as a statutory write-off. Using this information, you can then make an informed decision on whether to look elsewhere or negotiate a better price based on the findings.
We would also recommend you get the vehicle professionally inspected to ensure the damage won’t affect the vehicle’s long-term safety and durability.
REPORTED AS STOLEN
Every year, thousands of vehicles are stolen and many find their way back onto the marketplace. These sellers rely on the fact that some unsuspecting buyer will not invest in an AA Vehicle History Report. Often buyers are lured in with a ‘too good to be true’ scenario that has you running for your wallet to avoid missing out on the sale.
If you purchase a vehicle that’s stolen, you won’t be able to transfer ownership and it possibly won’t be long until you have a visit from the NZ Police seeking to reunite the vehicle with its rightful owner, potentially leaving you out of pocket.
BUY AN AA VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT
Let’s face it, buying a vehicle is one of the most significant purchases we can make, other than a house.
In 2020, an astonishing 24 per cent of all AA Vehicle History Reports found some issue, so be sure to avoid the uncertainty and invest one next time you’re shopping for a new ride. It’s a simple, cost-effective check that can potentially save you time, money and heartbreak in the future.