Question on a Title

M

mjk1967

Joined
Feb 22, 2011
Messages
601
Location
MN
Morning.

I was looking at a local listing -- 2012 Mustang GT. All seems relatively normal (looked at an Auto Check). However, how much of a red flag is it to you if the original owner had it repossessed? I just kind of fear a person abusing it, if he knows that it ultimately will be towed.

Other than that, real low mileage -- 25k. Nothing other of note, after a cursory look - no accidents, etc.

Thanks.
 
That is really low mileage for the year. It could've been run at the strip for all of those miles. I'd pass unless you get a better history.
 
As written above, get a proper pre-purchase inspection provide by a reputable indie shop that specializes in Fords or domestic cars.
 
mclasser said:
Do your due diligence thoroughly inspecting any used car but unless he tried driving it off the repo truck after it was hooked, it's likely fine (in that regard, at least).
Click to expand...
This right here !
I would want to start the car cold checking for smoke out the exhaust and listen for engine noises .
A good test drive will tell you lots about the car as well.
 
So your saying the original owner but not the current owner?

No one knows for sure. I would be willing to look at it and have it inspected. Not everyone who has something repo'd is a dirtbag. Good people fall on hard times - it happens all the time, injury, job loss, whatever.

Treat it like any other used car. Never pay a premium for any used car because you just never know (unless your buying from a relative or something).
 
My 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 was a bank repo that a local used car only dealer had picked up at the auction.

It turned out to be one of the best, most reliable vehicles that I've owned. Dealer showed it to me exactly as he had picked it up at the auction... still had "REPO" written on the windshield. It looked better than most one owner trades. Only thing missing was the spare, but still had the factory floor mats and the original tires on it. Drove it overnight, bought it the next day.
 
mjk1967 said:
Morning.

I was looking at a local listing -- 2012 Mustang GT. All seems relatively normal (looked at an Auto Check). However, how much of a red flag is it to you if the original owner had it repo'd. ? I just kind of fear a person abusing it, if he knows that it ultimately will be towed.

Other than that, real low mileage -- 25k. Nothing other of note, after a cursory look - no accidents, etc.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Do your homework. Back in 1989 I bought a repo with 27k miles which I still have to this day. As long as you get clear title and it passes your inspections, I see nothing to be overly alarmed about. The person at the bank even gave me the previous owners name and address which I made sure to stay away from. ;)
 
Last edited:
Could be a repo, but probably not for a 2012. My guess... I have an elderly neighbor who recently passed away. The brand-new looking 2010ish Ford Ranger in his garage probably has 30k on the clock. I'm guessing this is a more likely scenario. Even older folks like to have a hot rod in the garage, even if they barely drive any more.
 
Irrelevant to the condition of the car. If you dont know how to inspect it, hire someone who can.
 
That is really low mileage for the year. It could've been run at the strip for all of those miles. I'd pass unless you get a better history.
 
mjk1967 said:
Morning.

I was looking at a local listing -- 2012 Mustang GT. All seems relatively normal (looked at an Auto Check). However, how much of a red flag is it to you if the original owner had it repo'd. ? I just kind of fear a person abusing it, if he knows that it ultimately will be towed.

Other than that, real low mileage -- 25k. Nothing other of note, after a cursory look - no accidents, etc.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
How many owners has it had?
 
I've bought a couple of repos. Only way I knew was I got them from out-of-state dealers and handled the title myself. A repo shows as a "clean" title, unbranded. Glad Auto Check caught it. Titles had "affadavits of reposession" stapled.

If I had bought from an in-state dealer, they'd have filed the title paperwork and I'd have never known.
 
Who is actually selling it? My credit union lists repos for sale. If they list a vehicle they have had it checked by a local shop and warranty the car. If they repo a cracker, they send it to the auctions.
 
Marcozi said:
get a proper pre-purchase inspection provide by a reputable indie shop that specializes in Fords or domestic cars.
Click to expand...
^ This is the simple and correct answer, imo. You won't get better info than from a competent inspector/mechanic going over the vehicle. I would always take that over a checking records service like Carfax or what you have you. Those are often riddled with mistakes and things left out, imo. My wife and I used a mobile inspector when we lived in WA State ('Elemonator', haha) and they were fantastic. We learned about them from an ethical used car lot that recommended them. We used them multiple times and I still - 16 years later - have one of the vehicles they said was good. And the other one we bought was excellent too. Always get a pre-purchase inspection on any vehicle you're gonna spend real money on is my advice. Yeah maybe not worth it for a $2,500 beater if you're fairly knowledgeable, but a good idea for anything higher. Nobody wants to find out 3 months in that the fantastic deal they got on a luxury SUV for $15K wasn't actually that fantastic because the transfer case was filled with sludge and most of the drivetrain will need to be replaced. :(

Also the repo aspect wouldn't overly worry me since the vehicle has such low mileage. Remember many people that have their car repo'd wake up to find it gone and weren't expecting it, so had little time for sabotage, haha. Also agree with the poster that said it happens to okay people too - life can throw you some hard times occasionally no matter how careful you are.
 
it is a 14 year old car...I would not worry about what the original owner did to it as long as it was clean and ran good. a new car being repossessed would be a different matter but an old car not so much.
 
SC Maintenance said:
So your saying the original owner but not the current owner?

No one knows for sure. I would be willing to look at it and have it inspected. Not everyone who has something repo'd is a dirtbag. Good people fall on hard times - it happens all the time, injury, job loss, whatever.

Treat it like any other used car. Never pay a premium for any used car because you just never know (unless your buying from a relative or something).
Click to expand...
Yes, it was owned by 2 dealers after this.
 
CleanSump said:
Who is actually selling it? My credit union lists repos for sale. If they list a vehicle they have had it checked by a local shop and warranty the car. If they repo a cracker, they send it to the auctions.
Click to expand...
The current seller is a reputable dealer in my city.
 
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