Posted by Yoli/CA on 9/21/11 3:21pm
Msg #398155

Vehicle Inspection inquiry - vehicle loans

Personally, I have done 1 inspection for a vehicle refi and 1 signing for new car purchase. No problems on either one.

However, I was communicating with a fairly new notary and she mentioned that XYZ had advised her it is illegal for notaries to perform vehicle inspections. I had never heard of that before. I know ... I know ... consider the source.

We're not inspecting for driveability or mechanical soundness. Just checking mileage, VIN and visual condition. So, I don't get it.

All comments welcome. BTW, the other notary wouldn't pose the question herself as she didn't want to get fried. So, hopefully she's a frequent visitor here.

TIA!

Reply by Notarysigner on 9/21/11 3:27pm
Msg #398157

My understanding is the same as yours, Yoli. I've done about five and they are NOT the vehicle inspections I'm familiar with. Those are down (here) at the local CHP office or a weight station on the highway/freeway. IMO

Reply by BossLadyMD on 9/21/11 3:46pm
Msg #398159

VIN Verifications vs Vehicle Inspections

I do these all the time in Maryland. We refer to them as 'VIN Verifications' for this very same reason - we don't want it to be confused with vehicle inspections which are performed by mechanics

Reply by Belinda/CA on 9/21/11 3:56pm
Msg #398164

Re: VIN Verifications vs Vehicle Inspections

The inspection I saw wanted me to check to see if the car went into drive and reverse. See if the interior and exterior was fine. Oh, and check the oil for metal shavings. No way I am checking oil.

Reply by Notarysigner on 9/21/11 5:19pm
Msg #398176

checkin oil? that's a new one n/m

Reply by John Tennant on 9/21/11 5:20pm
Msg #398177

Re: VIN Verifications vs Vehicle Inspections

In my past life I was a Service Director with a major auto dealership. What you should be asked to do is verify the vin, mileage, and license plate number. That is all.

No matter what state you are working in, all else falls under vehicle inspection. There is huge potential for a lawsuit if an inspection is performed by anyone that does not have the qualifications. Safety concerns being the most obvious.

Even with my 40 years in that business I would not now perform an "inspection" as I would not want to be the person that "ok's" the vehicle and then had someone get in it and get hurt or killed.

JMHO.

Reply by Yoli/CA on 9/21/11 5:41pm
Msg #398181

Totally agree with you, John.

We're just confirming that the vehicle we saw, verified by VIN, mileage and possibly license plate number, is the same vehicle named in documents for the purpose of being (re)financed.

We are not attesting to the soundness or mechanical condition of any vehicle.

So, my question remains: Why would XYZ advise someone/anyone it is illegal?

Reply by topflyt on 9/21/11 10:19pm
Msg #398203

Re: VIN Verifications vs Vehicle Inspections

I'd be very leary of giving my opinion as to how well a vehicle goes into drive...or that the interior and exterior are fine...as was mentioned before, we are not mechanics...and do not want to be held accountable for our opinions.

Reply by rengel/CA on 9/22/11 12:21pm
Msg #398269

Be careful in California calling it a

VIN verification. DMV will get on your case. You can "confirm" a VIN, but Calif licenses VIN Verifiers.

In my former life I was a licensed car dealer and license verifier.

My .02

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/21/11 11:42pm
Msg #398209

"We're not inspecting for driveability or mechanical soundness."

Right, Yoli, and in my experience (a few vehicle refis), these are usually loans by the current owner of the car in question, who presumably has been the person driving the car for some time.

The first time I did one of these, I noticed some little dings on the car that weren't mentioned, so I called the client. I got the impression that they couldn't care less about the condition of the car. At 83% interest, I can see why! (And no, that isn't a typo!)

I think you nailed it when you said "consider the source"...

Reply by Missy82 on 9/22/11 8:22am
Msg #398228

I've been looking at the comments...I was the aforementioned nervous new(er) notary. Actually, for this signing, the lender was looking for a COMPLETE inspection. I was to start the vehicle, listen to the engine, check the turn signals, check the oil, inspect for damage inside and out, and generally assess the mechanical soundness of this vehicle--you name it. It was not a simple VIN check. But that's all they got. I checked the VIN, mileage, and plate number. I didn't think I was within my scope to do anything else.
Before I actually became a notary, I did a lot of research. I still do. I read my handbook faithfully, because I am new and I don't have a local mentor, and I don't want to learn by just asking, but by doing and studying. I've done a lot of business already (for a small town), and I'm pretty comfortable with basic notarial practices, but some things make me stop and scratch my head. Thank you all for your shared knowledge. I'm still learning day by day, and this forum helps out tremendously.
For the record, I didn't know XYZ was so undesirable...they're just the first company that sent me anything regarding supplies and what-not. And remarkably, I haven't had any issues with their products yet.