What you Need to Know when Buying a Car

One of the hardest things about buying a car is registering it, that’s why car registration it’s one of our services. You can leave everything in our hands. We know the process can be stressful, but today we provide you with everything you need to know about the registration process and in different scenarios.

If it’s a new car:

Buying a new car is an important decision because, as you may already know, there are many things to consider before buying it, after a house, it is the biggest investment in many people’s lives. That’s why it’s important to choose a new vehicle correctly and make smart decisions throughout the selection and purchase process.

Before you buy it:

• Set your budget. You need to know how much money you can spend on your new car and decide your method of payment, some people pay it in cash, some people finance it, and there are also people who rent them. When paying in cash, knowing your budget is easy. Don’t forget to include sales tax in the purchase. When you finance or rent, you will need to know how much you can afford per month, consider gas, insurance, etc.

• Determine what you need. Each person has different needs. What you need from a car depends on your lifestyle, occupation, age, etc. For example, if you are a student, you don’t need something like a minivan. Studies show that the best car for a student is a midsize sedan. On the other hand, if you are a parent, you need a bigger car. Or if you are a landscaper, you will need a pick-up truck. Consider reliability, fuel economy, safety, technology, convenience, and capacity before considering factors such as comfort, style, look, or color. This is an easy decision because, in most cases, people know what they need and want.

• Get estimated insurance quotes. You can also consider your vehicle insurance rates before purchasing so that you can factor it into your monthly vehicle expenses.

After purchasing:

Most agencies handle the registration process, but not all do. Car registration is a necessary task that vehicle owners must complete before hitting the road with their car. You need to collect specific vehicle registration information, such as the car’s production year, make, and model, before completing the process.

Motor vehicle registration is necessary for all drivers who want to operate their cars without consequences. When a car changes ownership, those motorists must ensure proper registration enforcement. The required vehicle information record is the vehicle make, model, and year, as well as the type of vehicle it is. To obtain the car registration, owners must also provide their vehicle identification number (VIN) and their driver’s license number.

Obtaining automatic registration in California for a new car only requires the owner to present proof of appropriate state-required insurance. Base DMV registration fees include a $46 initial registration fee and a $24 fee for the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

If it’s a used car:

With the high price of new cars and the rapid rate of depreciation of new cars, many people are looking instead for used cars for sale. And while investing in a used car may seem like a sensible option, buyers still need to be smart in their choices.

Before you buy:

Used cars that are sold with hidden damage can become costly problems for the unsuspecting buyer. To avoid buying a defective vehicle, here is a checklist of ways to help verify condition and value before buying a used car.

• Look carefully at the exterior and interior of the vehicle. Conditions play an important role in value. If there is existing or previous damage that you know of, make sure it has been professionally repaired. Always take a good look at the engine and parts, dirty and rusted parts can indicate that there could be problems.

• Take a test drive. Make sure you have a good idea of ​​the way the car works and responds. Check for unusual engine or brake noises and electronic components working.

• Perform a fluid check. Any car that is leaking fluids is usually a red flag for a necessary repair. While on a test drive, take a moment to park in a clean area on the road and let the car run for at least 30 seconds. Then move the car and visibly inspect for any leaking substances.

• Calculate a fair purchase price. To ensure that you are being charged a fair price, be sure to compare prices for the same make, model, and year from multiple sources. If you have pending registration fees, make an agreement with the seller about who will pay them, you can deduct it from the purchase price.

• Review the Vehicle History Report. A vehicle history report can help you if you have problems with title, ownership history, service points, and previous accidents, large or small. Make sure the information matches. These reports are available from us.

After you bought it:

Now is the time to put your car in your name, to determine how much the DMV is going to charge for making the name transfer, you can come to one of our offices or call us and provide us with the license plate number, the last 5 digits of the VIN number, the price, and date of purchase and your zip code.

• The previous owner must make a transfer notice and release of liability, but that’s up to them.

• You will need proof of ownership signed by the previous owner (their title or ”pink slip”).

• You will need to take a smog test.

• An odometer statement for vehicles less than 10 years old.

• You will also need to fill out some forms that we can provide.

If it is a car registered in another state:

If you are a California resident and you purchase a vehicle from another state, it must be certified to meet California pollution laws and registered in California. This includes certain diesel vehicles. DMV cannot accept an application to register a vehicle in California that does not qualify for registration (California Health and Safety Code §§43150 – 43156).

Before you buy:

You should do what we mentioned before to buy a used car, the same applies but you will want to know if it is a California certified vehicle, check the emission label under the hood because not all new vehicles are made to be sold in California. Many manufacturers make vehicles to be sold only in the other 49 states. These vehicles (49 states) are made with smog equipment that meets federal emissions standards, but not California standards. California (50 states) certified vehicles are built to be sold in California, but there are exceptions.

After you bought it:

Now it’s time to transfer the car to you. The process of vehicle registration is different from regular registration, you will also need to fill out the forms we can provide. You will need:

• Out-of-state title or proof of ownership and / or out-of-state registration card.

• Rates from the DMV, we can give you an estimate if you provide us with the date of your first CA operation, purchase date and price, year, model, source of acquisition, acquired market value, use/sales tax paid to another state, and your zip code.

• Smog certified.

• Weight certificate.

Remember that all cars in California must have insurance, this does not apply to all vehicles, but it is always worth protecting your investment by obtaining insurance. We can offer you many insurance options. We will choose what best suits your needs and your pocket.