What to do After Buying a Used Car Privately in California

source=privateauto&utmmedium=auto&utmcampaign=landingpage" class="text-[#00b3de] hover:underline”>Car insurance is required in California after you buy a used car. Like most states, you’re required to have proof of auto insurance before you register or drive your vehicle. Review the different types of car insurance to see the minimum required insurance and additional protection options available to you for your used vehicle.

Insurance Types

Insurance policies can be tailored to protect your used vehicle from almost any incident. Coverage ranges not only in the deductible and maximum coverage amount but also in the covered incidents. Here are some common insurance types to consider as you shop for a policy:

• Liability coverage: This includes bodily and property damage. California sets minimum liability coverage amounts but you can increase your coverage in these areas as well.
• Uninsured motorist coverage: This covers medical and auto repair bills in the event of an accident with an uninsured, underinsured, or unidentified driver.
• Personal injury protection: Also known as no-fault insurance, personal injury protection covers injuries to you and passengers in your vehicle. It’s similar to a health insurance policy but often offers more extensive coverage to automotive-related injuries.
• Collision: Insure your vehicle for incidents that don’t involve another driver. Backing into a tree or hitting a parked vehicle are examples of events typically covered by collision.
• Comprehensive: Not all incidents occur while you’re behind the wheel. Comprehensive coverage is used when your vehicle is damaged while you’re not operating it. A falling tree limb or another driver hitting your parked car are common examples.
• Gap: Damaging a depreciated vehicle that’s been financed can make you liable for the difference between the financing and the value of the vehicle. Gap source=privateauto&utmmedium=auto&utmcampaign=landingpage" class="text-[#00b3de] hover:underline”>insurance covers that difference.

Required Auto Insurance in California

The California DMV requires you to not only carry evidence of your source=privateauto&utmmedium=auto&utm_campaign=landingpage" class="text-[#00b3de] hover:underline”>auto insurancewhile in your vehicle but also mandates these policy features:

• $5,000 for property damage
• $15,000 for injury or death to one person
• $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person

You can consider purchasing collision, comprehensive, and gap insurance for your vehicle, but these policy features are beyond the minimum required liability insurance in your state.

A pre-purchase inspection isn’t required to purchase a vehicle in California. It is, however, a great step to make sure you’re confident you’re getting a great deal from a private party. It’s best to inspect a vehicle before you buy it, but you can still schedule an inspection after you buy a used car.

Schedule an inspection with a licensed and experienced mechanic in your area. A full inspection can take a few hours or more to complete. Ask for a printed report detailing any required repairs.

How Much Does an Inspection Cost?

Expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a full inspection of your used vehicle. A basic inspection should be $200 or less but you may pay more for a larger vehicle or a more thorough engine inspection.

What Does a Vehicle Inspection Include?

You can receive an 18-point inspection with a standard oil change from reputable mechanics or service technicians. A full vehicle inspection, however, covers far more than the air filters and fluid levels. Here are some areas that should be covered in your vehicle inspection:

• Brake system
• Body
• Tires
• Frame
• Suspension
• Radiator
• Belts, hoses, lights, and fluids
• Glass
• Battery and electrical system
• Engine and transmission operation

Some mechanics will perform a more in-depth engine or transmission inspection for an additional fee. Most inspections will include a short test drive to give a mechanic a good sense of any major mechanical issues in these two systems.

A professional inspection won’t guarantee your vehicle is free from damage, but it can give you peace of mind knowing that a qualified professional has inspected it before you make a purchase or drive it daily.

Registration is the process of verifying your ownership with the California DMV. This is a required step that proves you’re not only the legal owner but also removes any liability for the vehicle from the previous owner.

This step is typically taken while you’re transferring the title. Once the title transfer paperwork is completed, including the smog certification and bill of sale, you’ll bring the registration forms to the DMV in California and pay the necessary fees after you buy a used car.

Renewing Your Registration

Vehicle registration in California must be completed every year. The registration sticker on your license plate shows the month and year your registration expires, but be sure to check the exact day it expires.

Your registration card has a specific day, month, and year written on it. You’ll be liable for late payment fees if you wait until after the date shown on the card.

Penalties for Late Registration

Late registration fees start one day after the date shown on your registration card. A

These fees continue to increase and can become significant if you wait two years or more. Be sure to schedule reminders to pay your registration fees on time or early to avoid these and other costs.

Every car comes with maintenance needs but a used vehicle can have some immediate repair issues. You should know about any repair issues required after you buy a used car thanks to a pre-purchase inspection.

Issues showing up on a pre-purchase inspection shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, but they should be addressed promptly. Continue to monitor your vehicle after you’ve purchased it to avoid driving with known repair issues.

Common Repair Issues

Here are some of the top issues that should be addressed quickly to avoid unsafe driving conditions or further damage to your used vehicle:

• Damaged oxygen sensor, mass airflow sensor, or other sensors
• Bald tires
• Worn brake pads
• Low fluid levels
• Compromised battery
• Burnt out light bulbs
• Oil, coolant, or other fluid leaks
• Worn timing belt or chain

Some repairs, like low fluid levels, are easy to perform and are very affordable. Others, like bald tires or a timing belt, represent a more significant automotive investment. All of these issues can cause further damage if you continue to drive without addressing them.

Signs You Need to Schedule a Repair Service

It’s easy to notice if your car won’t start or if smoke is billowing from your engine, but other repair issues come with more subtle signs. Even if you’ve already invested in a pre-purchase inspection, be on the lookout for one or more of these signs that it’s time to schedule an automotive repair:

• Check engine light turns on
• Brakes grind, squeal or scrape
• Low fuel economy
• Leaking fluid
• Discolored fluids
• Unusual engine performance while idling or driving
• Difficulty steering your vehicle

Treat all of these seriously and schedule a repair at your earliest convenience. A little leak in a brake line could quickly prevent you from stopping your vehicle at all. Difficulty steering your vehicle could cause an accident.

Maintenance steps are typically more frequent and less serious than repair tasks. Some maintenance items you may wish to perform on your own, while others are best left to the professionals. These steps are very important after you buy a used car. They not only improve the value of your vehicle but can also keep you safe while you drive.

Most maintenance steps include checking fluids and filters. Some of these steps don’t apply to electric vehicles, so always consult your owner’s manual before looking for a particular fluid reservoir or other maintenance tasks. Here are the most common maintenance tasks to plan after you buy a used car.

Check and Change Your Oil

Motor oil is one of the most common, and important, maintenance items. This fluid keeps your engine running smoothly and safely. Check the oil reservoir for the appropriate oil level. Be sure to check if it’s discolored or overly thick.

Mechanics used to recommend drivers change their oil every 3,000 miles or three months. Modern automotive oil can usually go longer, so you can expect to drive between 5,000 and 7,500 before an oil change. Check with a mechanic and explain your driving habits for more accurate oil lifetime estimates.

Check Other Automotive Fluids

There are plenty of other fluids that keep your car running smoothly. Here are some common ones you need to check for signs of discoloration, low levels, or high mileage:

• Transmission fluid
• Coolant
• Brake fluid
• Power steering fluid
• Windshield washer fluid

Test Your Lights

A burnt-out light can be a safety issue on the road. Periodically check that your brake lights, turn signal lights and headlights are all working. Headlights are usually obvious as you drive but other lights are difficult for you to test while operating your vehicle.

Check and Change Air Filters

Both the engine and cab air filters need to be replaced periodically, typically every year. Swap out the engine air filter to improve engine efficiency and the cab filter to keep your automotive air clean.

Replace Windshield Wipers

You may not think about your windshield wipers as safety features, but these essential components help you see clearly in low-visibility conditions. Check them and consider replacing them after six to 12 months.

Inspect Tires

Tires should last up to five years or 15,000 miles, depending on your driving habits and the quality of your tires. Inspect them yourself or have a mechanic inspect them for signs of wear. Any cracks or thin treads are signs that it may be time.

You should also have your tires rotated every six months or 6,000 miles. If you live in Northern California or plan on heading north for a winter road trip, consider snow tires to improve traction and extend the lifetime of your tires.

Inspect Hoses and Belts

Hoses and belts are essential internal components to keep your car moving and operating safely. The location and type of these components vary between vehicles. This may be a task best performed by a mechanic.

If you wish to inspect your own, then park your vehicle and wait for it to cool down. Open the hood and look closely for any unusual signs. Belts that are unusually thin or frayed should be replaced before they break.

Hoses can dry out and appear cracked. You may also notice they need to be replaced by checking for fluid leaks.

Both hoses and belts are best replaced by a mechanic. Serpentine belts and timing belts in particular require a lot of time, training and tools to safely remove and install.

Check Your Brake System

As the most important safety feature in your vehicle, your brake system deserves routine attention and maintenance. Here are the most common parts that wear down through normal use:

• Brake pads
• Brake calipers
• Brake rotors
• Brake fluid

Brake pads are the most common maintenance item in your brake system. They typically last between 10,000 and 20,000 miles, depending on your driving habits and vehicle type. Worn brake pads usually start to grind or squeal. Continuing to drive with worn pads can reduce your stopping performance and increase the risk of a collision.

Wash Your Car

Washing your vehicle is an excellent maintenance step to keep its body, paint job, other fluid leaks and, other components looking great and lasting longer. If you’re planning to wash your car, then be sure to use microfiber towels and car shampoo for the best results. Otherwise, head to a local car wash for easy maintenance.

These steps help you enjoy a stress-free experience after you buy a used car in California. Buy a car through PrivateAuto to manage the entire process easily and conveniently. Discover your premier technology-driven, self-service solution with verified sellers, e-signing, PrivateAuto Pay funds transfer, and more.