Sweet s70 turbo on Craigslist

[wrybread]

Awesome resource and great detective work.

For anyone coming this way after the ad is taken down, here's the results for CA plate 4ulv372:

Code: Select all

Make	Model	Year	Date / Time	Pass / Fail	Certificate	Referee Inspection
VOLVO	S70	1998	06/26/2018 02:54 p.m.	P	QI843883C	NO
VOLVO	S70	1998	10/20/2015 04:03 p.m.	P	PY120342C	NO
VOLVO	S70	1998	09/27/2013 04:23 p.m.	P	XZ147731C	NO
VOLVO	S70	1998	09/23/2011 03:28 p.m.	P	OG707444C	NO
VOLVO	S70	1998	09/18/2009 02:39 p.m.	P	NM963935C	NO
VOLVO	S70	1998	09/27/2007 03:18 p.m.	P	MU812635C	NO
VOLVO	S70	1998	09/17/2005 01:42 p.m.	P	FX988746C	NO
VOLVO	S70	1998	09/20/2003 09:48 a.m.	P	FD821669C	NO

That shows an 8 month lateness for the last smog. I've certainly been late on registering before, but usually just a couple months max. Going over 6 months means an automatic tow if they see it, so agreed there's something happening here other than usual lateness. I suppose it *could* be that the car simply wasn't being used anymore, hence the sale...

I emailed the seller to see if he has any comment on the paint discoloration. I can't see it on my crappy laptop monitor, but damn good catch.

[abscate]

Don’t you have to put smog stickers on ?

This feels like a flip to me.

[MoVolvos]

Awesome resource and great detective work.

For anyone coming this way after the ad is taken down, here's the results for CA plate 4ulv372:

Code: Select all

Make	Model	Year	Date / Time	Pass / Fail	Certificate	Referee Inspection
VOLVO	S70	1998	[b]06/26/2018[/b] 02:54 p.m.	P	QI843883C	NO
VOLVO	S70	1998	10/20/2015 04:03 p.m.	P	PY120342C	NO
VOLVO	S70	1998	09/27/2013 04:23 p.m.	P	XZ147731C	NO
VOLVO	S70	1998	09/23/2011 03:28 p.m.	P	OG707444C	NO
VOLVO	S70	1998	09/18/2009 02:39 p.m.	P	NM963935C	NO
VOLVO	S70	1998	09/27/2007 03:18 p.m.	P	MU812635C	NO
VOLVO	S70	1998	09/17/2005 01:42 p.m.	P	FX988746C	NO
VOLVO	S70	1998	09/20/2003 09:48 a.m.	P	FD821669C	NO

That shows an 8 month lateness for the last smog. I've certainly been late on registering before, but usually just a couple months max. Going over 6 months means an automatic tow if they see it, so agreed there's something happening here other than usual lateness. I suppose it *could* be that the car simply wasn't being used anymore, hence the sale...

I emailed the seller to see if he has any comment on the paint discoloration. I can't see it on my crappy laptop monitor, but damn good catch.

I was going to post that but wasn't sure if there were any copyright issues. They use to provide a lot more info years ago but some privacy issues kick in and now it just that. Let us know what the owner says. I'm curious also.

[MoVolvos]

Don’t you have to put smog stickers on ?

This feels like a flip to me.

CA has no Smog (window) Stickers. NC I think had stickers years ago (1990) and allowed smoking in the DMV office (grew up in CA ).

You have to pay your Registration and do a Smog (CA has no safety as of 4 years ago) before DMV will give you the plate stickers (2) Month & Year. That is why it could still be the same owner. If my memory serve me right a flipper will get a new plate and using it for the History will only get you the most recent smogs for that plate number whereas the VIN will show all.

Could still be a flipper as it is not mandatory to turn in plates and most people just keep the existing instead of waiting at the DMV which usually is at least an hour or two minimum. The population is too great in CA for people to turn in plates besides front plates are mandatory making 2. This goes for the dealer also. They do not turn in plates either.

Last year I helped my brother in law purchase a vehicle while he was in MA getting his PHD. Well, his address was still in NJ as was his license (cousin's residence). He has since gone back overseas and sold the van but I can tell you that I don't understand or remember that registration process as it was just not logical. Especially the part about using the plate to drive the other car around. I even called the Police Department to try and figure it out. I suppose it make sense if you are use to it.

[wrybread]

I can't imagine there would ever be a copyright know publicly accessible data.

I just heard back from the guy. Sure enough: "I bought it from an auction I'm just selling it".

I wonder what the back story could be...

[MoVolvos]

I can't imagine there would ever be a copyright know publicly accessible data.

I just heard back from the guy. Sure enough: "I bought it from an auction I'm just selling it".

I wonder what the back story could be...

At this point a Carfax can sometimes connect the dots.

Did not look at his ad carefully but Carfax Used Car Value states it is a 1998 VOLVO S70 TURBO VIN: YV1LS5371W2506411 - Input any CA zip will do.
https://www.carfax.com/value/

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So the car is not a 99 and using the VIN Smog is not done as it should be in the system within a day? He also states it is registered. What year corresponds with a blue sticker on the plate?
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[wrybread]

I've never used Carfax before but always mean to. Possible to post the Carfax deets on that car if you have access?

And for whatever it's worth he just responded to my follow up email and said there's no color difference on the door and fender.

[abscate]

Your bargaining range is the $500 auction price and his $2000 ask

GLWS

[wrybread]

Personally I wouldn't touch that car until I heard a really good explanation about what lead it to auction in the first place... And I'd also want to talk to someone who owned the car for years, both of which are probably impossible.

It does make me wonder though: how does someone buying this car at auction get a key? Can they just go to a dealer and pay the $450 and walk away with a key?

[MoVolvos]

I've never used Carfax before but always mean to. Possible to post the Carfax deets on that car if you have access?

You have to pay for the Carfax. Years ago you can pay for an Unlimited number of Print Out for 90 days.

Here is an example of a Carfax on a CL AD for a 2006 Volvo XC70 - $3995 (MIDTOWN MOTORS OF NC). Noticed the driver's side fender did not line up at the bottom with the door in pictures #1 and #7. Just Googled the VIN and the Carfax came up but it is on True Cars website also. Sometimes when you Google the VIN from the seller you'll see the Auction link pictures and description where it came from such as donation, insurance and sometimes dealer, that is if it was sold there within a couple of months.

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/d/cl ... 06047.html

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p ... tner=GAZ_0

The newer the accidents will have more info on Carfax. Will get a rating beside indicating where it was hit, whether it was towed and whether the airbags were deployed. I've only seen a couple where the Carfax did not catch an accident.