In the market for a used car? Check its history first, association warns

November 20^th, 2014 (InsideCostaRica.com) The Association of Machinery and Vehicle Importers (AIVEMA) are warning consumers of an increase in the number of potentially unsafe used vehicles being imported for sale in Costa Rica from abroad.

AIVEMA warns that there has been an increase in recent years of vehicles that have been severely damaged – in many cases completely written off by insurance companies – in their countries of origin, that are being imported to Costa Rica, hastily refurbished to physically look like new, then sold to unsuspecting buyers who have no idea of the vehicles’ histories.

The association said the problem is especially prevalent with vehicles imported from the United States, and that between 2011 and 2012 there was such a large increase of such vehicles being imported that they represent a large percentage of all imported used vehicles.

The association said that many of these vehicles pose a serious risk to drivers and passengers.

Besides the possibility of mechanical failures, many have had their airbags removed after having been deployed in an accident.  Others have been flooded and pose a serious risk of fire due to damage to their electrical systems.

The association is recommending those who are in the market for a used vehicle to consult their free online tool, www.ConsulteSuVIN.com.

Using this free tool, consumers simply provide the VIN number of a vehicle and their email address, and receive an emailed report containing the vehicle’s full history.