Online House Hunting

how should I pay for a privately-owned used car?

like you know those cars with the for sale signs on them which are sold by the owner. should I pay for one by check,cash,or a different method? (fyi i'm not buying one anytime soon,i am simply curious as to how it would work)

Public Comments

1. i would think check is easiest and safest method
2. If you can do the transaction at a bank in which you get and give them a cashier check and they giving you the title and keys. You can't give them a check because no one would trust your old account checkbook that you've closed 10 years ago.
3. bank check
4. if the seller is smart, they will only take cash or a certified bank check. Make sure the person you are buying the vehicle from actually owns it. There are many scammers out there selling stolen vehicles or trying to 'title skip' when flipping cars. EIther of these scenarios will leave you without a car or not being able to get it registered.
5. a bankers draft is the best way as it can be recorded better than cheque and it will have the sellers detai'ls if you need to take the car back late, however I have baught and sold lots of cars and my moto being "Cash Is King" although if the guy looks dodgy bankers draft or cheque is the best way as either can be traced from you to the sellersaccount so, if he does a runner to another part of the country and has sold you a car that falls apart / causes an accident or breaks down within a day or so of having it and you can not get a hold of him, then the police can get his details from the bank e.t.c because if you are a car sales man you do not need to register the car in your name... Good luck If you do buy a car...
6. Most sellers want cash. Checks can be fake. Even cashiers checks & bank checks.
7. i always have paid cash.....no one accepts checks.....even bank checks.......most ppl selling a car do not want a paper trail for various reasons....... just make sure u get a legit title and keys and make sure everything is accurate b4 u hand over the money.......if ur unsure take the mechanic that u had look over the car with u... ** ALWAYS pay a mechanic to look over a car b4 u buy....... ** NEVER pay anything until u have seen title..