Buying Used Car in Michigan

Buying a car is a sizeable investment, whether you are purchasing from a dealer or from a private seller. Therefore, you want to make sure you are getting a product that is worth your money and does not compromise on quality in any way. There is also some additional paperwork involved if you are buying used car in Michigan. Each state in the US has its own laws regarding the purchase of new and used cars, and you must follow them accordingly before claiming legal ownership of your vehicle.

If you are buying used car in Michigan, you will firstly have to obtain a bill of sale. This is a written document which provides legal proof of a transaction and a transfer of ownership of the vehicle. This document contains information about the car, details of the buyer and seller, and the price at which the car was purchased. You will need to submit these documents to prove a legitimate purchase. Once you have purchased your car, you have 15 days to file a title application in order to complete the transfer of ownership to your name. You cannot purchase a car legally if it does not possess a title document, especially in the case of a private seller. Therefore always ensure that the seller has the complete documentation ready and all information on them is accurate before proceeding.

Have a licensed mechanic thoroughly examine the vehicle to point out any defects which the seller has not reported. In addition, you can order a vehicle history report as a background check. The history report will list out all the previous owners of the vehicle, and tell you if the car was involved in any criminal incidents or used for public services, like a taxi or rental car. If the car has been repaired four or more times for the same problem, it is considered a ‘lemon’, a defective vehicle. Michigan’s laws protect consumers who have bought a lemon without realizing it until after purchase. If you feel you have been cheated while buying used car in Michigan, take advantage of this law.