Buying a used vehicle is a great way to save money on a car. While new vehicles may have all the bells and whistles and that coveted new car smell, they also come with a steep price tag and immediately lose value the moment you drive them off the lot.
That said, the experience of buying a used car isn’t always easy. There are lots of potential traps to watch out for, and you never know exactly who you’re dealing with when it comes to the seller on the other side of the equation.
The best way to avoid scams or vehicles that are simply not worth the price is to ask the right questions when shopping. Here at Freedom National, we want to help you do exactly that.
Top Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Car
When you’re buying a used car, there are some key questions you’ll always want to make sure you ask— especially if you’re lost on what to ask when buying a used car for the very first time. This experience can be exciting and a little scary, so we wanted to provide a comprehensive list of all the most important questions to ask before you buy— whether shopping in-person or online through a used vehicle marketplace.
Reasons for Selling
One of the most important but overlooked answers for what to ask when buying a used car is simple: Why are you selling?
As a potential buyer of the used vehicle, you have a right to know why the seller is getting rid of the vehicle. In many cases, their reasons are simple enough— they’re ready for an upgrade, they no longer need the vehicle, they need cash, or their situation has otherwise changed. But they also may be selling the car because there’s something about it they don’t like or that doesn’t work properly, both things you would definitely want to be made aware of before deciding to buy.
Age of Vehicle
While the age of the vehicle should always be included in the listing or the sticker, this isn’t always the case. Make sure that you get confirmation of the age of the vehicle, and confirm whatever the seller tells you by searching online and making sure that the vehicle you’re looking at matches that model year for that make and model. This is the only way to make sure that you’re really getting what you’re paying for when buying a used vehicle.
Mileage
Getting the mileage of a vehicle is simple enough— it’s as easy as glancing at the odometer on the vehicle’s dash. But what if you’re buying a car remotely? You should always find out the mileage of a used vehicle before agreeing to purchase it online, and in some cases you may be able to get confirmation by having them send you a photo of the vehicle’s odometer. If you’re wondering what to ask when buying a used car for the first time, the car’s mileage or odometer reading should be at the very top of your list.
Warranty Status (Covered vs. As-Is)
If you’re buying your vehicle from a used-car dealership, it may come with some sort of warranty that covers the vehicle from certain issues in a specified time period after you drive it off the lot. Make sure that you explicitly establish the conditions of the warranty, including its length, what’s covered, and what isn’t.
If you’re buying from a private seller, you may be buying the vehicle ‘as-is,’ which means that as soon as money is exchanged and the title is signed over, the vehicle is your problem. Even if it died ten feet away from the house where you picked it up, you’re financially responsible for it.
Exterior Damage
Always look out for exterior damage to the outside of the car. While cosmetic issues like scratches, peeling paint, or other damage may not affect the performance or safety of the car, they can speak to other potential issues. For one, they may be a sign of an accident the vehicle experienced that may have done damage to unseen, more vital parts of the car. Exterior damage also lowers a car’s value, which you should keep in mind when it comes to potential resale value and potentially negotiating a lower price from your seller.
Mechanical Issues
You should always take a look under the hood of the car at the engine, and ask the seller whether there are any mechanical issues you should be aware of. If you don’t feel experienced enough to identify potential mechanical issues, and just because it’s a smart practice generally, ask if you can have the car independently inspected by an authorized third-party (more on that later).
Accident/Incident History
Any commercial or private seller should be able to provide you with a detailed history of any accidents or incidents resulting in damage or repairs to the vehicle. This should include the damage one, the repairs completed, the costs of those repairs, and the parts used in the repair. These details are important, because even if damage was ‘fixed’ it may have been repaired with cheaper aftermarket parts, lowering the value of the vehicle and also potentially making it less safe to drive.
Independent Inspection
Any reputable seller should be happy to comply with a request to have the car inspected by an authorized third-party— a mechanic or other car specialist. This independent third-party should have no financial interest in clearing the car after an inspection (for example, they shouldn’t have a clear relationship with the dealership selling you the vehicle). This third-party inspection can help you spot potential issues you may have missed and avoid accidentally buying a lemon.
Title Status
You should never pay a cent for a vehicle or drive it away from the seller or dealership without the title in your hand. If they don’t have the title, you don’t have a deal.
If the seller has a loan on the vehicle, the bank likely has the title. They can transfer it directly to you at the time of the purchase. Regardless, you’ll want to inspect the title yourself before agreeing to buy. If the vehicle is a salvage title or rebuilt title, meaning it was in a major wreck and has either been repaired or is awaiting repair, either walk away or demand that the price reflect the condition of the title.
Recalls
Be sure to ask about (or research on your own) any recalls related to the vehicle. Sometimes manufacturers will discover issues with a vehicle that’s already been sent out into production and sold. They issue recalls in order to correct those issues. But if you don’t know about recalls applying to the vehicle you’re purchasing, you won’t know about potentially dangerous issues that need to be corrected!
Previous Owners
The current owner of the vehicle may not know about every previous owner the vehicle has had, but you should be able to follow the trail of ownership to at least know how many different people have owned the vehicle. A dealership will likely have more information like this than a private seller, but it’s an important consideration for what to ask when buying a used car regardless.
Test Drive
If at all possible, we highly recommend actually driving a vehicle before purchasing it. While buying online can make this difficult, driving a vehicle yourself doesn’t just help spot any potential mechanical issues that could keep it from being roadworthy— it will also help you determine whether you enjoy the vehicle in the real world.
Maintenance Record
Ask your seller to see the vehicle’s maintenance record, which will show whether it’s been taken in for regularly scheduled maintenance— oil changes, tire rotations, etc. This will show whether the current owner has taken general good care of the vehicle or neglected it, which could mean that there are hidden issues lurking under the hood that will become your problem the minute the purchase is complete.
Conclusion
Want to learn more about buying, driving, and insuring your vehicles? Check out our blog. And when you’re ready to get insured, you can get a fast quote for cheap car insurance online here at Freedom National!
