Tips for a Successful Car-Buying Experience on Craigslist

Buying a car on Craigslist is generally something that you want to avoid—at least, if you aren't sure of the person. There have been many people who have tried to buy cars on Craigslist, only to find themselves on the wrong end of a gun and robbed of the money they brought for the transaction.

If you listen to many people out there, Craigslist is a scary place where a lot of sketchy people find victims. It can be, if you aren't wise. There are reasons why serial killers and robbers have used this site.

That being said, it is very possible to have a successful car-buying experience on Craigslist. In fact, a lot of dealerships will use Craigslist to advertise car specials. To get a great car at an excellent price, you will have to make a point of following certain rules and look before you leap.

Curious about cars on Craigslist? Here are some tips to make sure that you get the deal you asked for.

Bad as it is to say, it's often best to assume that the other party is a scam artist.

It's a game of "guilty until proven innocent" with Craigslist, and as such, you will need to have some kind of proof that the person in question is legit before you even consider buying a car from them.

Before you set a time and place for a meetup, ask for some proof and details. You need to know who the person is, what they are selling, and you also should be able to see records that prove the seller is the original owner of the car.

A seller who won't show proof of ownership and of the car in question is not someone who you should do business with. A successful car-buying experience on Craigslist involves sellers who actually own the car, so don't budge on this.

Learn how to transfer car titles or have someone who knows how to deal with car titles with you.

Before you even consider getting a car from Craigslist, make sure that you know how to transfer titles or have someone who can help you do it. You can't have a successful car-buying experience on Craigslist without actually knowing how to legally transfer a car title from one party to the other.

Many individual sellers on the site have used a person's lack of knowledge to accept payment for a car without actually selling them the car. As the victim drives away, the thief calls the police and reports a stolen vehicle. Since the title isn't in their name, the police arrest the victim while the person who stole from them walks away free.

Ask why the car is being sold before you set up an appointment.

A typical seller will not really tell you a long, drawn-out story. Usually, they'll say that they just don't want it anymore. Sob stories and extremely complex tales are often a sign that someone's hiding something, and that they are lying to gain your sympathy.

One expert on HuffPonoted that sob stories are a warning sign that you won't have a successful car-buying experience on Craigslist.

Don't bring cash, and meet near a police station.

The following two tips are the most important aspects of carrying out a successful Craigslist car-buying experience, so listen closely. This can prevent you from being robbed.

Robberies are not going to happen if you are near cops. Most police stations will actually have a place where you can meet up for Craigslist transactions safely. This will give you a great way to prevent problems.

If you want, call the local non-emergency line to tell them what you'll be doing. Police will often offer some protection or observe the transaction if you ask them to. No matter what, do not go alone!

Rather than cash, insist that you use a money order for the transaction. Thieves do not typically mess with money orders, and money orders also have the benefit of being way more traceable than fiat money.

Get an inspection and get a test drive before you buy it.

Just like with any other time buying a used car from a private seller, or buying a used car at a dealership, you need to know what you're working with. If they won't give you a test drive, don't buy it. If they won't allow you to get a third party inspection, don't buy it.

When you get a test drive, make sure that you get the owner's ID, proof of insurance, and registration first. Should something happen, this will ensure that you will still be able to keep your bases covered.

Do your research.

Don't take the seller's word when they tell you the value of the car. If you want to get a decent price on it, make sure the car's value works alongside the Kelly Blue Book standard and also is in decent shape.

An inspection can help you ensure that the car that you're buying isn't a lemon. However, only doing some honest research on your own will determine if the car's really worth the money that the seller will want you to pay for it.

The seller may be honest with you about owning the car and wanting to sell it, but it still won't be a successful car-buying experience on Craigslist if you overpay.

Don't be afraid to say no.

A car sale is not something simple or easy to deal with. It's a major purchase. Just like with any other purchase you don't want to make, you should feel comfortable refusing the offer. Even if they seem desperate to get rid of the car, being able to stand your ground is crucial.

Above all, don't let yourself be bullied into driving away with a car that you absolutely hate. Take your time to figure out which car you want to buy—and don't let others pressure you into a "yes" that's too soon.

Unless the seller is a dealership, don't hassle them for price knockdowns.

Just like you wouldn't want to feel bullied by the seller, the seller is not going to be keen on being hassled by you. Don't be a bully just because you can. If you can't agree on a price, it may be a better choice to just walk from the deal.

Sellers are not used car dealers who use shady tactics to make you buy more stuff. They are people just looking to get rid of the family car, and they want a successful car-buying experience on Craigslist too. Keep that in mind.

Don't bother with ads or replies that have poorly written language in it.

More often than not, one of the first signs of a Craigslist scam is the quality of the language. If the ad sounds foreign, or has a lot of really odd grammar mistakes, it's very likely to be a scam.

Even if they aren't trying to scam you, the fact that they can't even keep an advertisement in good shape is a sign they probably put just as much effort into keeping their car maintained.

Lastly, follow your instinct.

The best way to ensure that you have a successful car-buying experience on Craigslist is to use common sense, follow safety rules, and listen to your gut. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. If they don't want to show you real photos of the car, then it's not a real ad.

With Craigslist, effort is often what pays off the most. The more work you put into vetting your seller, the better the chances are of having a great car at a good price in your parking lot sooner rather than later.