Make Sure You Don't Get Cheated When You Go For A Van For Sale Offer

The biggest problem of all in buying a second hand van is that of stolen vans

, which costs the UK economy a staggering GBP 3 billion annually and causes insurance premiums to be raised exponentially. Ringing, which is the practice of passing off stolen vehicles as repaired accident damaged cars, is rampant and one should be vigilant to this when seeing a 'Van for Sale' notice. Numerous other scams abound in the trade of second or even third hand vans, but there are organisations - both governmental and non-governmental - which are there to help you buy the van of your dreams, as opposed to a real lemon.

There are various tests which can be performed on vans, such as the governmental Vehicle Identity Check (VIC), which tries to ensure, as far as possible under the limitations of the test, that the van is what is purports to be, and is not a substitute for another van. A Vehicle Identificatio'n Number (VIN) is a unique serial number used by van manufacturers to identify individual vans and is governed by the UK Department for Transport.

The Automobile Association (AA) will be also be able to assist you, although they specialise is spotting the scams carried out by unscrupulous people (both private and used-van dealers), such as winding back the odometer. This is relatively easily done using a laptop computer and some specialised software - and it leaves absolutely no trace of interference. This practice is, of course, illegal and for every 1,000 miles reversed, the value of the van is enhanced and the price is raised. Most modern vans have digital odometers and these are easily tampered with, as described above. The best way to avoid buying a van that has had its odometer tampered with is to check the mileages recorded on the van's service records and MOT certificates.

Car Cloning or Van Identity Theft is another of the practices dishonest dealers use in selling illegal vans. The license plates of one van are replaced with those of another van of the same make, model and colour. License plates are easy to come by - they can be stolen or bought from unscrupulous suppliers. If a VIN test is not carried out to verify the van, you can expect to start receiving speeding fines, parking tickets and congestion charges - all of which pertain to the stolen van used in the cloning process.

Cut and Shut is probably the most outrageous of all the scams. What is done is that the remains of one, two or even more vans - which are insurance write-offs - are cut up and welded together, panel beaten and perfectly painted to make one good-looking and saleable van. The body work is usually meticulously done and is therefore extremely difficult to spot. This patchwork of wrecks is then illegally given the identity of one of the component vans.

So, when seeing a Van for Sale advertisement, be sure you are aware of the scams taking place and take every precaution to avoid being duped. Insist on a car data check on the van's history to put your mind at ease. Forewarned is forearmed.

by: Roger Thurston

POST COMMENT

The Business Applications Of Gps Vehicle-tracking Software Cars Prices What NOT to Do After a Car Accident Enjoy Rc Cars, Enjoy Yourself Fastest Scar Removal Few Instant Scar Removal Tricks To Quickly Remove Scars Three Family Benidorm Vacation Ideas Enjoy The Entertainment Of Driving Rc Toy Cars Reducing The Appearance Of Scars From Cutting How Can Cutting Scars Be Treated Or Reduced Scars On Your Thighs Thighs Scars Are Not Sexy! Learn How To Get Rid Of Them Once And For All. The Most Effective Scar Removal Treatment For Cutters Getting Rid Of Scars Caused By Cutting Solution For Burn Scars What Is The Best Solution For Any Type Of Burn Scar Check Out the Heavy Duty 6.7 Liter Engine in the 2010 Ram 2500 How To Reduce The Itching From Burn Scars - Why Does A Burn That Turned Into A Scar Itch?