Get these 4 things from any Facebook Marketplace car seller

The VIN is the vehicle's serial number and is the first thing you want to get from the seller - maybe before you even bother with a test drive but definitely before you hand over any hard-earned cash. If the VIN isn't already in the Facebook ad, you should ask your seller for it. Contrary to what some sellers might believe, the VIN isn't private information (it's visible from outside of every vehicle) and is necessary to get more details about the vehicle, such as ownership and accident history.

Once you have the VIN, you should buy a vehicle history report from a reputable service like AutoCheck, Carfax, VinAudit, or Bumper.com. Review the report to see if the title is branded, the vehicle was in any major accidents, and the number of previous owners. Some vehicle history reports include checking the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) to see if the vehicle has been reported stolen. Be sure you understand the vehicle's history and use it to negotiate a price you're comfortable with.

When you see the vehicle in person, you'll want to verify the VIN on the vehicle is the same VIN provided by the seller. The VIN is visible in several places on the vehicle including on a plate at the bottom right corner of the windshield and on a sticker in the door jamb.

This is a little ambiguous because it can be somewhat complicated, but it's extremely important. If the seller isn't the legal owner of the car, you might not be able to register at the DMV or it could be repossessed after you pay the seller.

In the simplest case, you'll want to get the vehicle title from the seller and a copy of their ID. Their ID proves they are who they say they are and the title proves they own the vehicle. When reviewing the title, here's what you need to check:

1. VIN - Make sure the VIN matches the VIN on the vehicle
2. Owner name(s) - Make sure the owner's name matches your seller's ID. If there is more than one name, both will often be required to sign depending on how the names are printed on the title and your state. Be sure to get a signature from everyone that needs to sign. Otherwise you'll be turned away at the DMV.
3. Title issue date - Every title has an "issue date" or the date the title was printed by the DMV. This date should match the date on your vehicle history report. Only the most recently issued title is valid. If the title is old, you'll be turned away at the DMV.
4. Lienholder - All titles have a space that list the lienholder, if any exists. A lienholder might be present if the seller financed the car when they bought it. If there is a lienholder listed on the title, it must be "released" (signed and usually with a stamp from the bank) or the seller should have a separate "lien release" document showing the lien was paid off. If they have a lien release, be sure you get this from the seller as well.
5. Any scratch-outs, eraser marks, or write-overs? If so, ask the seller to get a new title from the DMV before you pay them. Scratch-outs from mistakes void a title and if you try to register the vehicle then, you guessed it, you'll get turned away at the DMV.

What if the seller doesn't have the title or the owner doesn't match what is on their ID? This doesn't always mean they're trying to scam you, but you should definitely take additional precautions. Here are a few genuine reasons why the name might not match or the seller might not have their title at all:

1. They might have an outstanding loan that needs to be paid off. This is pretty common since vehicles are often financed when purchased. Read our article about buying a vehicle with a lien.
2. The vehicle could be owned by a business. Ask the seller for proof that they either own the business or have authorization from the business to sell the vehicle. You don't want to get caught buying a car from a disgruntled employee of a rental car company.
3. The vehicle could be owned by a trust or a deceased family member. In these scenarios, we recommend asking the seller to get a new title in their name or completing the transfer at the DMV. The seller will need to bring additional documents to transfer ownership to you.

Note that if you're using KeySavvy for your transaction, we'll verify your seller's ownership for you and we support all of the above situations.

The bill of sale is basically a receipt. It outlines details of the sale such as the VIN, sale price, seller's name and contact information and your name and contact information. It should be signed by both you and the seller. Your state might have a template you can use, but you don't have to use your state's template. You can make your own bill of sale if you'd like.

If any other accessories are included with the vehicle or you made any other agreements with the seller, be sure those details are stated on the bill of sale. You and the seller will both keep a copy of this document for your records and you'll also need to bring it with you to the DMV.

KeySavvy generates the bill of sale for you and your seller to e-sign and you can download a signed copy of this document at any time in the future.

OK, this one is pretty obvious, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Be sure the vehicle is in the condition you expect. We always recommend getting a pre-purchase inspection from a reputable mechanic (KeySavvy customers can get 10% off a LemonSquad inspection here).

Lastly, don't forget to check that the VIN on the vehicle matches the VIN on the title and bill of sale.