# How to buy a car as a newcomer in the US: dealer or private seller, VIN checks, loans, DMV

Buying a car as a newcomer: dealer or private seller, the FTC Buyers Guide, free VIN recall check, loans without US credit, insurance and DMV registration.

To buy a car as a newcomer to the US, you can go to a dealer or a private seller and pay cash or take a loan. The steps are the same everywhere: pick the car, check its history and open recalls by VIN, have an independent mechanic inspect it, settle the price and financing, buy insurance, then get the title and registration at your state DMV.

## New or used, dealer or private seller

New cars are sold only by dealers. A used car can come from a dealer or a private seller, and that choice decides which rules protect you.

| Where you buy | What you get | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer, used car | A Buyers Guide on the window, sometimes a warranty, often the dealer handles registration | "As Is" sales, loan markup, add-ons in the contract |
| Dealer, new car | Factory warranty, paperwork done at the dealer | Price with extras, loan terms |
| Private seller | Usually a lower price | No Buyers Guide, paperwork and tax are on you, higher fraud risk |

## The FTC Buyers Guide on used cars

The Federal Trade Commission requires dealers to post a Buyers Guide on every used car they offer, including light-duty vans and trucks, demonstrators and program cars, and to give it to you after the sale. Motorcycles and most RVs are excluded, and dealers in Maine and Wisconsin use their own version.

- **"As Is - No Dealer Warranty"** checked means the dealer is not responsible for repairs after the sale.
- **Warranty** checked means the Guide shows what percentage of repair costs the dealer pays.
- **Spoken promises** should be written on the Guide. The FTC says the Guide overrides the sales contract and spoken promises are hard to enforce.

Unless a car is sold "as is," implied warranties usually apply. The FTC says they can last up to four years, depending on the state.

There is no federal three-day right to return a car. Some states require one; elsewhere you can return the car only if the dealer offers that policy. Ask your state attorney general before you sign.

## Check the VIN: recalls and title history

The VIN is the car's 17-character number, visible at the lower left of the windshield and printed on the registration and the Buyers Guide.

1. **Recalls.** Enter the VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). It is free. A clean result reads "0 unrepaired recalls associated with this VIN." The search does not show recalls older than 15 years, recalls by small manufacturers or recalls involving international vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer of that brand. NHTSA's hotline is 1-888-327-4236.
2. **Title history.** The national NMVTIS system runs [vehiclehistory.gov](https://vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov/), which lists approved report providers. Per the FTC, these reports include title, insurance loss and salvage information. The provider sets the fee.
3. **Commercial reports** such as Carfax or AutoCheck sometimes add accident and repair history. The FTC does not endorse any of them.

A report is not an inspection. The FTC notes it may show accidents and flood damage but usually not mechanical problems.

## Get an independent inspection

Pay your own mechanic even if the dealer calls the car "certified." A mechanical inspection is different from a state safety inspection, which usually focuses only on what makes a car unsafe to drive. Ask for a written report with repair estimates, the make, model and VIN, and use it to negotiate. If a dealer refuses an outside inspection, the FTC suggests going elsewhere. You can find a Russian-speaking mechanic in our [auto repair directory](/en/directory/auto-repair).

## Car loans without a US credit history

Financing raises the total cost through interest. A low monthly payment often means a longer term and a higher rate.

| Option | How it works | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer-arranged | The dealer sends your application to lenders (usually about five) and shows you one loan | Usually costs more: the lender's "buy rate" plus interest that pays the dealer |
| Bank or credit union | You get a preapproval with a rate, term and maximum amount | Usually cheaper, and you can compare it with the dealer's offer |

The CFPB says several auto loan applications within 14 to 45 days usually count as one inquiry and have little to no effect on your score. Check your credit reports for errors first.

Without a US credit history, options are to start building credit early (see [building credit history in the US](/en/immigration/building-credit-history-usa)), save a larger down payment, or buy a cheaper car for cash. Before signing, confirm the car price, the total price with financing, the finance charge, the APR and the number and amount of payments. A service contract is not a warranty; it is a separate product you may decline.

## Insurance, title and registration in New York, California and Florida

You need insurance before you register and drive. See [car insurance without a US driving history](/en/immigration/car-insurance-without-us-history) and [getting a driver's license](/en/immigration/drivers-license-usa). Sales or use tax applies in these states, with rates and rules set by each state.

| State | What the DMV requires | Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Form MV-82, a title or transferable registration signed over to you, an insurance ID card; sales tax, plate, title and 1 or 2 year registration fees | Register within 180 days of the insurance card's effective date; inspection within 10 days after registration |
| California | Title signed by the seller on line 1, smog certification, odometer reading if under 10 years old; fees and use tax | Private buyers transfer within 10 days |
| Florida | Form HSMV 82040, Florida insurance, ID for every owner, initial registration in person at a service center | $225 initial registration fee if you have no Florida plate in your name |

Fees and deadlines checked October 28, 2026 on dmv.ny.gov, dmv.ca.gov and flhsmv.gov. Use your state DMV's fee calculator or fee chart for the exact amount.

In California, many dealers can transfer the title and issue temporary registration. After a private sale you file with the DMV yourself.

## Car buying scams

- **Fake history report sites.** The FTC describes a scheme where a "buyer" asks a seller to buy a report from a specific site for about $20, then vanishes, keeping the card data. Get NMVTIS reports only through vehiclehistory.gov.
- **Too good to be true.** Florida's DMV warns that a deal like that probably is a fraud.
- **Flooded or stolen cars.** Check the VIN in NMVTIS and in the National Insurance Crime Bureau's VINCheck, which the FTC names for flood and theft checks.
- **Liens.** In Florida, a lienholder appears on the title next to the owner. If one is listed, find out before paying whether that loan is closed.

Report a dealer to the FTC online or at 1-877-FTC-HELP, or to your state attorney general.

## Questions people ask

### Can I return a used car to the dealer within three days?

There is no federal right to return a car within three days. Some states require a cancellation right; in other states you can return a car only if the dealer offers that policy. The FTC suggests checking with your state attorney general and getting any return policy in writing before you sign.

### Where can I check a car for recalls for free?

On NHTSA's site, nhtsa.gov/recalls, using the 17-character VIN. The search is free and shows unrepaired safety recalls for the past 15 years, except recalls by small manufacturers. Recall repairs are done free of charge at a dealer for that brand.

### What does "As Is" on the Buyers Guide mean?

When the "As Is - No Dealer Warranty" box is checked on the Buyers Guide, the dealer is not responsible for repairs after the sale. Anything that breaks is yours to fix. The FTC advises writing any spoken repair promise on the Guide, because the Guide overrides the sales contract.

### How long do I have to transfer a car bought privately in California?

California DMV rules give the buyer 10 days after purchase to transfer ownership, and the seller 5 days to report the sale. You need the title signed by the seller, a smog certification, and payment of the applicable fees and use tax.

## Sources

- [FTC: Buying a Used Car From a Dealer](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/buying-used-car-dealer)
- [FTC: Used Cars](https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0040-used-cars)
- [FTC: Steering clear of vehicle history report scams](https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2018/10/steering-clear-vehicle-history-report-scams)
- [NHTSA: Check for Recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls)
- [NMVTIS: National Motor Vehicle Title Information System](https://vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov/)
- [CFPB: What are the different ways to buy or finance a car or vehicle?](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-the-difference-between-dealer-arranged-and-bank-financing-en-759/)
- [CFPB: How will shopping for an auto loan affect my credit?](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-will-shopping-for-an-auto-loan-affect-my-credit-en-763/)
- [New York DMV: Register and title a vehicle](https://dmv.ny.gov/registration/register-and-title-a-vehicle)
- [California DMV: Vehicle purchased from a private party](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/new-registration/registering-a-vehicle-purchased-from-a-private-party/)
- [California DMV: Vehicle purchased from a dealer](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/new-registration/registering-a-vehicle-purchased-from-a-dealer/)
- [Florida HSMV: Motor Vehicle Registrations](https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/license-plates-registration/motor-vehicle-registrations/)
- [Florida HSMV: Motor Vehicles, Tags and Titles](https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/)
- [NHTSA: Report a Vehicle Safety Problem](https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem)

Page: https://www.russiansinusa.com/en/immigration/buying-a-car-newcomer-usa
Facts checked: 2026-10-28