Those who buy from curbstoners and uncover a problem that should have been disclosed — such as an insurance company had previously "totaled" the vehicle — will have little recourse if they can't identify or contact the seller. Licensing officials have more leverage over licensed dealers than 'stoners.

Here are some tips to reduce the chances you'll buy from one:

Ask to see the driver's license of the seller along with the car's title. If the name on the title doesn't match the name on the license, don't buy it.

Ask the seller for a Carfax or AutoCheck vehicle-history report to tell if the car has a salvage history, odometer fraud or other damage. It will also show recent, frequent or excessive title transfers that may contradict the seller's story.

Take the car to a trusted mechanic. A professional inspection can uncover weld marks, water spots and uneven tire treads — all clues to a potentially unsafe vehicle.

Check the phone number. See if the same phone number appears in multiple ads, and make sure that you have a way to get back in touch with the car seller — not just a cellphone or pager number.

Always be a little leery if the price seems just too good to be true. If something feels wrong, walk away.

If you suspect someone is a curbstoner and want to report it, here's how to reach the Department of Licensing:

• DOL Dealer and Manufacturer Services, 320 N. 85th St., Seattle, WA 98103

• E-mail complaints to: intdlrnw@dol.wa.gov

• Call the DOL's Seattle office at 206-706-4255

eBay offers users the following links:

• http://pages.ebay.com/help/confidence/motors-problems-selling.html

• http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/motors-policies-listingassistant.html

• http://pages.motors.ebay.com/services/legal.html

• http://pages.motors.ebay.com/howto/buying.html

• http://pages.motors.ebay.com/howto/buying/researchD.html

• http://pages.motors.ebay.com/services/purchase-protection.html

Sources: state Department of Licensing, Carfax, eBay