Used Car Roulette: Why a low car price can turn into a nightmare

Expert from the ‘Autocriminalist’ center, Maxim Shelkov, warns that a used car being sold way below the market average might be confiscated by court decision or have carefully hidden serious damages in the future, as reported to ‘Gazeta.Ru’. Shelkov highlighted that one should not expect miracles with such a cheap car; most likely, there will be legal issues involved. This type of car may be part of legal disputes involving third parties. The seller might also be aware of an impending bankruptcy inclusion of the vehicle, hence the rush to get rid of it. Hidden technical defects are also a possibility, Shelkov explained. The expert gave examples of how sellers might temporarily mask engine problems using fuel and oil additives, or conceal gearbox issues by resetting settings to smooth gear shifts. It’s important to remember that no one sells a car significantly below market value just because. Each case requires thorough verification considering various aspects: the owner should be checked through databases of enforcement officers and the arbitration court, the car should be meticulously inspected, and the full value should be included in the sales contract, Shelkov summarized.