CarFax, a company that markets vehicle history reports, recently filed a report that shows more than 46 million unrepaired cars and trucks were sold all over the United States. These unrepaired vehicles were part of recalls organized by their respective manufacturers; however the units were not properly repaired before being sold again to unsuspecting customers.
The CarFax report added that some of the unfixed problems these vehicles have are very serious and life threatening if left unrepaired. These problems include leaky brake lines, airbag issues and some units were even reported to send shrapnel's to the driver or passenger.
Currently, no federal regulation forces an individual seller or dealer to properly repair the vehicle before selling it to prospected buyers. Additionally, the seller is not obliged by the law to inform the buyer about any problems within the car, according to CBS Detroit.
There are many ways to find out if a specific car model has been a part of a previous manufacturer recall. Interested parties only need to acquire the vehicle identification number from the seller. The car's VIN is also located on the left side of the dashboard near the windshield. Next, check the VIN for any open recall using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lookup found its website.
Third party companies like CarFax and AutoCheck offer services like a complete vehicle history report for a small fee ranging from $20-$40. This report contains ownership history as well as important information like crash history and whether the car is part of an open recall.
Lastly, interested buyers of previously-owned cars are encouraged to buy a Manufacturer Certified car. These cars cost a little more but the buyer will be assured that the car was properly restored before it was sold to them, according to ABC News.