Glossary

Confused by all the terms? Buying and selling a car is an intimidating process. Use our handy glossary of terms to make this process a little smoother and less frightening. Still have questions? Contact us.

Anti-Theft Device
Device intended to reduce an automobile's chances of theft or vandalism.

Blue Book Value
The wholesale price for an automobile, as published by Kelley Blue Book.

Certi-Buy
Certi-Buy is a certified, pre-owned vehicle program offered by CDS Titling.

Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle
A program promoting automobiles that meet high standards per a certification process.

Closing
The process of transferring of the vehicle's ownership from the seller to the buyer.

Flood Damage Title
Certain states provide flood titles when an automobile has received extensive water damage.

Lender
The institution to which the Buyer will make car payments.

Lien
An ownership right to the vehicle. The financial institution that lends the vehicle loan has a lien on the vehicle.

Lien Holder
A person or financial institution with a legally secured interest in the vehicle (i.e. loaned the financing for the vehicle).

Make
The manufacturer's name for a type of vehicle.

Model
The manufacturer's name for a collection of vehicles with the same make, line, series, and body type.

MSRP
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. This is the "sticker price" for a vehicle.

Odometer Rollback
Occurs when a vehicle's odometer is illegally "rolled" back to display a lower number. The DMV collects potential odometer rollback information.

Supercharger
Mechanism that uses power from the crankshaft to compress air for a higher density of oxygen in the air-fuel mix.

Title
A state-issued title provides proof of vehicle ownership.

Title Insurance
Certi-Buy's title insurance from First American insures against unreported DMV brands, title defects, or odometer rollbacks. It also insures no one else has a right to the vehicle as a result of fraud, forgery, duress, or incapacity. Title insurance from Certi-Buy ensures the automobile's title can transfer successfully.

Turbocharger
Mechanism that uses power from the pressure of exhaust gasses to compress air for a higher density of oxygen in the air-fuel mix.

Vehicle History Report
Certi-Buy's Vehicle History Report provides an automobile's history such as odometer rollback, flood damage, theft, and more.

VIN
Vehicle Identification Number. This 17-digit alpha-numeric code acts as a social security number for the vehicle.