--- title: Tips for Buying a Car on Craigslist description: If you’re hitting up websites like Craigslist, there are a few extra considerations to keep in mind. Here are a few tips for buying a car on Craigslist.  image: https://rmcu.net/hubfs/RMCU_Tips-for-buying-car-on-craigslist_Blog-01.jpg --- [![RMCULogoColor.jpg](https://rmcu.net/hubfs/RMCU-logo.svg "RMCULogoColor.jpg")](https://rmcu.net) [Online Banking Login](https://banking.rmcu.net/auth/signin) [Online Banking Login](https://banking.rmcu.net/auth/signin) [![RMCULogoColor.jpg](https://rmcu.net/hubfs/RMCU-logo.svg "RMCULogoColor.jpg")](https://rmcu.net) - - [Home Loans](https://rmcu.net/home-loans) - [Personal](https://rmcu.net/personal) - [Business](https://rmcu.net/business) - [Membership](https://rmcu.net/membership) - [Careers](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/careers) - [Contact Us](https://rmcu.net/contact-us) - Search - [Financial Education ▾](https://rmcu.net/blog/buying-a-car-on-craigslist#financial-education-nav) - [About RMCU ▾](https://rmcu.net/blog/buying-a-car-on-craigslist#about-rmcu-nav) - [Security](https://rmcu.net/membership/security) - [TruStage: Security Alert](https://rmcu.net/trustage-security-alert) - [Money Mastermind](https://rmcu.net/money-mastermind-lessons) - [Financial Counseling](https://rmcu.net/financial-counseling) - [Savvy Money](https://rmcu.net/membership/financial-education/savvy-money) - [Blog](https://rmcu.net/blog) - [Resources](https://rmcu.net/resources) - [RMCU Team](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/rmcu-team) - [Member Information](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/member-information) - [Annual Meeting](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/annual-meeting) - [Community](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/community) - [Our History](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/history) [back to blog](https://rmcu.net/blog) [Loans](https://rmcu.net/blog/topic/loans) # Tips for Buying a Car on Craigslist Read Time **2 mins** | Written by: Rocky Mountain Credit Union [mailto:?subject=Tips%20for%20Buying%20a%20Car%20on%20Craigslist&body=https%3A%2F%2Frmcu.net%2Fblog%2Fbuying-a-car-on-craigslist](mailto:?subject=Tips%20for%20Buying%20a%20Car%20on%20Craigslist&body=https%3A%2F%2Frmcu.net%2Fblog%2Fbuying-a-car-on-craigslist)   ## Be Aware of Scams or Fraud With a private sale, you don’t have the option of checking for Better Business Bureau complaints or Yelp reviews of the owner. And that makes it even more important to be on high alert for scams or fraud. Watch out for wording in an ad that doesn’t seem quite right, or a posting that’s similar to another, but much less expensive. Avoid anyone who asks for personal information upfront (like phone numbers, bank details, or first and last names before you even meet) or is unwilling to meet up so you can see the vehicle in person. And above all, trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right about a posting, or the deal seems too good to be true, it’s best to just walk away.    ![cars in a mechanic shop](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/RMCU_Tips-for-buying-car-on-craigslist_Blog-02.jpg?width=2895&name=RMCU_Tips-for-buying-car-on-craigslist_Blog-02.jpg) ## Take It To a Mechanic First The Federal Trade Commission recommends an independent inspection in their [Used Car Buying guide](https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/buying-used-car-dealer), whether you’re buying your car from the dealer or not. But this step is even more important with private party sales that include no warranty or business accountability. Be sure the seller is willing to let you take it to an independent mechanic for a once-over. If they’re not? That’s a red flag you shouldn’t ignore.   ## Run a CARFAX Report To get some good background on the prospective vehicle, make sure to run a [CARFAX vehicle history report](https://www.carfax.com/vehicle-history-reports/) before you buy. This isn’t a replacement for having a mechanic inspection, but it will let you know whether or not the vehicle has a salvage title. That means that the vehicle has been in a major accident where it was declared a total loss by the insurance company after significant damage. A salvage title may prohibit you from getting financing from a bank, and it can often lead to higher insurance costs, too.    ![Buying a car online through Craigslist](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/RMCU_Tips-for-buying-car-on-craigslist_Blog-03.jpg?width=2895&name=RMCU_Tips-for-buying-car-on-craigslist_Blog-03.jpg) ## Understand Financing There’s a lot of misunderstanding around how financing works if you’re buying a car through a site like Craigslist. [Rocky Mountain Credit Union’s personal loan officers](https://www.rmcu.net/personal-banking/loans/personal-loans) will work to get you financing for a vehicle bought from a private party. It involves a few more steps than buying from a dealer (who normally manages a lot of logistics for the purchaser), but it can be worth it if you find a good car at a great price. When it comes to making the most of your hard-earned money, RMCU can help. [Reach out to our personal lending team](https://www.rmcu.net/contact-us) to learn how to get the best rates on your auto loan and find a deal that will keep you driving off into the sunset for years to come.      ***If you enjoyed this blog, take a look at some of our other related articles:*** - [Leasing vs. Buying a Car](https://rmcu.net/blog/leasing-vs.-buying-a-car) - [Winter Road Trip: Ski Hills in Montana You Have to Visit](https://rmcu.net/blog/winter-road-trip-ski-hills-in-montana-you-have-to-visit) - [6 Reasons You Should Use Your Credit Card When You Travel](https://rmcu.net/blog/6-reasons-you-should-use-your-credit-card-when-you-travel) [![Subscribe To Our Blog!](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2687142/dda73c99-1639-4c70-8bd2-a6d699cfcee5.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2687142/dda73c99-1639-4c70-8bd2-a6d699cfcee5) ##### Rocky Mountain Credit Union Share the Love [mailto:?subject=Tips%20for%20Buying%20a%20Car%20on%20Craigslist&body=https%3A%2F%2Frmcu.net%2Fblog%2Fbuying-a-car-on-craigslist](mailto:?subject=Tips%20for%20Buying%20a%20Car%20on%20Craigslist&body=https%3A%2F%2Frmcu.net%2Fblog%2Fbuying-a-car-on-craigslist) You May Like These ## Related Articles ![](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/car-keys.jpg?width=700&name=car-keys.jpg) Loans ### [Do's and Don'ts of Buying a Vehicle on Craigslist](https://rmcu.net/blog/dos-and-donts-of-buying-a-vehicle-on-craigslist) When it comes to buying a vehicle on Craigslist, the benefits can be significant, but there's a righ... Keep Reading ![](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/RMCU_CreditScoreTools_Blog_Images-01%20(1).jpg?width=700&name=RMCU_CreditScoreTools_Blog_Images-01%20(1).jpg) Tips from the Pros ### [Why Free Credit Score Tools Are More Helpful than You Think](https://rmcu.net/blog/why-credit-score-tools-are-more-helpful-than-you-think) Here are a few ways that free credit score tools like RMCU's SavvyMoney can be more helpful than you... Keep Reading ![](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/RMCU_best-practices-credit-card-blogRMCU_blog1.jpg?width=700&name=RMCU_best-practices-credit-card-blogRMCU_blog1.jpg) Build Credit ### [Best Practices for Using a Credit Card](https://rmcu.net/blog/best-practices-for-using-a-credit-card) When it comes to using a credit card, there are a few things to consider. To get you going, here are... 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