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A Vehicle History Report is the easiest way to research the history of a vehicle. It gathers all of a vehicle's insurance* and DMV records into one place. At a glance, you can tell if there are major accidents*, odometer problems, flood damage issues or if the vehicle is a lemon.

As you conduct your research for your next used vehicle purchase, you should consider obtaining one of these reports on any vehicle you are interested in. Each company that provides these reports offers a free records or VIN check feature (these features advise you on how many records there might be for a particular vehicle, not what those records actually represent). You will need to purchase the actual vehicle history report to obtain further information or clarification**.

With this additional information in hand, you can make a more informed buying decision to help you negotiate the best deal possible.

Click on an image below to begin your vehicle history check.

* Insurance and accident data might not be available from every state, please check the provider’s website for an up-to-date list.
** Please check the provider’s website for up to date information and fee structure.

Access to Your Credit Bureau Reports

• Under state law, consumers in Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont already have free access to their credit reports.
• States may enforce the FCRA, and many states have their own consumer reporting laws. In some cases, you may have more rights under state law. For more information, contact your state or local consumer protection agency or your state Attorney General.

click here to obtain a copy of your credit report To order your report, call: 800-685-1111 or write:  P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241  Hearing impaired call 1-800-255-0056 and ask the operator to call the Auto  Disclosure Line at 1-800-685-1111 to request a copy of your report.

click here to obtain a copy of your credit report  To order your report, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write:  P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013

click here to obtain a copy of your credit report To order your report, call: 800-888-4213 or write:  P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022

What is a credit score? 

A credit score is a term used to refer to credit bureau risk scores. It broadly refers to a number generated by a statistical model, which is used to objectively evaluate information that pertains to making a credit decision. Your credit card history; amount of outstanding debt; the type of credit you use; negative information such as bankruptcies or late payments; collection accounts and judgments; too little credit history and too many credit lines with the maximum amount borrowed are all included in credit-scoring models to determine your credit score. The most widely used credit score is called FICO for Fair Issac Co., which developed it.  

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To have a complete picture of your credit history, it is important to get a credit report from all three reporting agencies. Since credit reporting is a voluntary system, and creditors may subscribe to only one agency, it is best not to assume the information will be the same on all three reports.

A credit report is basically divided into four sections: identifying information, credit history, public records and inquiries.

• Identifying Information:  This information identifies you. Review this information to ensure it is accurate. Any variations will stay on your credit report and could complicate loan applications. Other information might include your current and previous addresses, your date of birth, telephone numbers, driver's license number, your employer and your spouse's name.  

• Credit History: Each account will include the name of the creditor and the account number, which may be scrambled for security purposes. You may have more than one account from a creditor. Many creditors have more than one kind of account, or if you move, they transfer your account to a new location and assign a new number. The entry will also include:

• When you opened the account
• The kind of credit (installment, such as a mortgage or car loan, or revolving, such as a department store credit card)
• Whether the account is in your name alone or with another person
• Total amount of the loan, high credit limit or highest balance on the card
• How much you still owe
• Fixed montly payments or minimum monthly amount
• Status of the account (open, inactive, closed, paid, etc.)
• How well you've paid the account

• Public Record:  This cites financial-related data, such as bankruptcies, judgments and tax liens.

• Inquires: Inquires are divided into two sections. Hard inquiries are initiated by filling out a credit application. Soft inquiries are from companies that want to send out promotional information to a pre-qualified group or from current creditors who are monitoring your account.

Once you review your credit reports, any mistakes should be reported to the reporting agency.

Obtain your credit report now!

Taking the Guesswork Out of Saving MoneyIt’s a question that has perplexed car buyers for some time. Which to choose: the manufacturer’s rebate or low financing? Fortunately, Prestige Motors Tampa can help you take the guesswork out of saving money.

In the salesroom, of course, the choice has never been easy. You’ve taken your time to decide just what kind of car you want, what options, even what color. You’ve taken a test drive or two, and are confident that you know what you want.

Now it’s time to make the deal. The sales agent takes out a contract and begins asking questions. It’s all going well until he turns to you with a big smile and asks, “Which do you prefer, 0% financing, or the rebate of $2,500?”

They both sound enticing; it’s tough to beat 0% financing, but it’s also nice to get a portion of the price taken right off the top. So how do you decide which is the better option for your wallet?

The real question, of course, is what is the total amount that you will pay over the life of the loan? Will all the payments, plus that low (or no) interest, add up to more or less than a loan for a lesser amount (after rebate) at a slightly higher rate of financing? Over the life of a loan that will last several years, the answer does matter, and Prestige Motors Tampa can help you determine which option is the right answer.

To determine which option is best for you, click on the “Financing Calculators ,” located in the right hand column, under “Tips and Advice.” Then click on “Which is Better: A Rebate or Special Financing?”

This link will open the online calculator.

Enter the required information, including price, taxes, financing percentage, length of loan, down payment and cash rebate.

You may be surprised at your answer. Quite often the rebate is your better option, especially if you couple it with financing through your local credit union. Credit unions typically can provide their members with a great loan rate, which then can be applied towards a lower overall purchase price, after taking that nice rebate offer. 

At last, you can feel at ease when being confronted with the rebate or 0% financing option. And remember to give that salesman a big smile when you tell him your answer

Each choice has its own advantages and disadvantages and making this decision depends on several factors, including your personal preferences and finances.

Ownership
Leasing: You don't own the vehicle; you must return it at the end of the lease unless you choose to buy it (which is not recommended due to the total cost involved).

Buying: You own the vehicle once you make the last payment.

Up-Front Costs
Leasing: There may be up-front costs such as first month's payment, refundable security deposit, capitalized cost reduction, taxes, registration or other fees.

Buying: Some of the up-front costs could include the down payment, taxes, registration and other fees

Payments
Leasing: Monthly payments are usually the same as a purchase; the term is shorter since you are paying only for the vehicle's depreciation.

Buying: Monthly payments are usually the same as a lease; the term will be longer because you are paying for the entire purchase price of the vehicle.

Early Termination
Leasing: This is possible at any time, but you are still responsible for the balance of the lease payments (without tax), the original residual value, plus any early termination charges.

Buying: This is possible at any time, but you are still responsible for the balance of the loan (without interest).

Returning the Vehicle
Leasing: When the lease is up you are required to return the vehicle to a location designated by the lender and pay any end-of-lease costs such as; penalties for excess wear and tear or mileage over the agreed upon limits set forth in the lease agreement.

Buying: Not required, when you make the last payment you own the vehicle.

Future Value
Leasing: The future value of the vehicle is predetermined by the lender at the beginning of the term. The lender then assumes all the risk for the vehicles value.

Buying: Since you own the vehicle, you assume any risk of the vehicle's future value.

Mileage
Leasing: All leases have mileage limitations that you negotiate upfront. If you exceed these limitations you will be assessed a mileage penalty at the termination of the lease (so make sure you understand what you are signing up for, the low lease payments advertised in the paper are always low mileage 10,000 to 12,000 miles per year).

Buying: There are never limits to the miles driven on the vehicle.

End of Term
Leasing: The current lease has ended and you must decide to purchase the leased vehicle (which is not recommended) or turn it in (Returning the Vehicle above) and purchase or lease another vehicle.

Buying: made your last payment and you now own your vehicle.

Additional Information 
Leasing: This is not for everyone, so be sure you understand the terms of the lease agreement and ask questions if you do not understand something. Leasing may be a good choice if the vehicle is being used for business, but you should still talk to your tax agency to see where you get the best write-off.

Buying: Although it may take longer to pay off, there are no restrictions for mileage, wear and tear or how you use the vehicle and the money is going towards something you will eventually own. 

Prestige Motors Tampa has done a complete refresh to its Google Business page. Please take a second to check out our newly renovated home on Google.  If you are a Google user, please feel free to stop by the page and leave some feedback, we would greatly appreciate it. See us at https://plus.google.com/108200026405582320384/about .  

Prestige Motors Tampa happily accepts all Road Loans Checks. We are a Roadloans Certified Dealer and are happy to work with all roadloans customers. Call 813-908-9191 for more information.