Looking to purchase a used car? Whether you want to buy here pay here a beater car for your child’s first car, or you want something that’s only a few years old, you need to ask a lot of questions. You want to know how it runs, how many owners the vehicle had, and of course, whether or not it’s been involved in an accident.
While many dealerships will go over their topics with you, this isn’t always the case for private sellers. What’s more, the last thing you want is a car dealership withholding information to make an extra buck.
The good news is that we’re here to help. Read on to learn more about what to ask when buying a used car.
Vehicle History
When you’re buying a used car the first thing you need to ask about is the vehicle history. You want to know how many owners the car had, the manufacturer of the vehicle, and where the car came from.
It’s also a good idea to make a note of whether or not it has been shipped or driven to its current location because those extra miles can put a damper on the vehicle. In fact, you’ll want to make sure that it was shipped by one of the best car shipping companies to ensure that it wasn’t damaged or mishandled during the shipping process; you can check the name of the company against this list to see if it’s one of the better-reviewed options.
One of the best ways to gain access to this information is to ask the previous owner or the dealer for the CARFAX. This is a simple sheet that contains all relevant information about a vehicle.
Ability to Test Drive
Most dealerships will happily offer to let you test drive a used car. However, some might not bring it up unless you ask, so you’ll need to ask about their test drive process. We recommend doing so before you visit a dealership because you may have to bring specific items with you to test drive a car. For example, many dealerships require proof of license and a parent or guardian if you’re under 18.
On the other hand, if you’re shopping for a car from a private seller, you can ask when you get there or over the phone. Typically, they’ll let you drive the vehicle to at least prove that it runs, so you shouldn’t have any issues there.
Title Status
It’s also a good idea to ask about the title. Every dealership will have a record of the title, and you can see whether or not it’s clean. A clean title is the best title, so you’ll want to avoid salvage titles or other titles that indicate serious damage to the vehicle.
That said, if you’re looking to restore an older vehicle or you don’t mind the extra work, the title status might not be as important.
If you’re buying a used car privately you also need to ask about the title. In fact, you’ll want to make sure the seller has a title in the first place, or you might end up with a car that’s not yours. We always recommend asking to see the title or a copy of it as proof.
The Price
There aren’t many things you can haggle for in today’s world, but cars are one of the few things you can haggle for. You’ll at least want to ask about the price of the car to see how the seller arrived at the price.
If you’re at a dealership they should be able to provide you calculations and comparisons. Expect a significant mark-up from a dealership, and there should be some wiggle room, so try and get a lower price before settling on what they have listed.
This also applies to private used car sales. You’ll want to ask private sellers if they can come down on the price, especially if you inspect the vehicle and notice problems.
Service Record
Last but not least, see if there is a service record available for the vehicle. Most dealerships will have a record of a car’s service record, and they tend to inspect the vehicle before sale. You’ll want to look for regular oil changes every 3,000 to 5,000 miles and other routine maintenance.
Private sellers might not have this information, but you should still ask. In fact, some private sellers might let you do a pre-purchase inspection, so it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Buy a Used Car With Confidence Today!
Asking the right questions is key when you’re buying a used car. While there are many more questions you can ask, as long as you stick to the five topics we covered in this article you shouldn’t have any issues when it’s time to buy your next used car.
Now that you know what to ask when buying a used car, use that extra confidence to get the perfect vehicle and deal for you!
