I contacted a private seller, who is selling a car on Craigslist. Before arranging a test drive I asked the seller, who is a realtor, to have the car inspected first because I do not want to waste my time on a car that might not pass the state inspection. His response was that the car would only be inspected with $500 upfront if I decided to buy it after test drive. He would let me sign a contract such that once the car passed the state inspection and I would pay the rest of his asking price to pick up the car. He assured me that the car will pass the inspection.
Wouldn't a motivated car seller be more willing to have his car inspected to lure potential buyers? He is also firm on his asking price. If the car were not sold with his asking price, he would just keep it as a beater car.
Is it too much to demand a state inspection from a private seller? With $500 out of my pocket in exchange with a piece of paper if the car did not pass the state inspection, then what? I have heard so many car scams on Craigslist. Should I take the chance? A realtor is like a car salesman, right?
Wouldn't a motivated car seller be more willing to have his car inspected to lure potential buyers? He is also firm on his asking price. If the car were not sold with his asking price, he would just keep it as a beater car.
Is it too much to demand a state inspection from a private seller? With $500 out of my pocket in exchange with a piece of paper if the car did not pass the state inspection, then what? I have heard so many car scams on Craigslist. Should I take the chance? A realtor is like a car salesman, right?
Last edited: