What to ask when purchasing a used car

Car Buying Tips

We can understand all the excitement about going to check on a car you want to buy in person, but before you take this step of going out to meet with the potential seller, there are some questions you need to find answers to as a buyer as soon as possible.

This is important because the more information you have ahead of the meeting with the seller, the better the chance you will have to become a satisfied buyer or to make informed decisions. A lot of time may be consumed while buying a car, and it can be quite a confusing process.

This can leave you more confused than when you started the search, mainly if you have limited knowledge about cars. Many people would love the other option to go to a dealership, pay for the vehicle they want, and then simply drive off. Unfortunately, this route would require them to spend a lot more money.

Considerations Before You Buy The Car

Timeframe

You may end up spending a ton of time in your attempt to buy a car, and if you are not careful, you may become more confused than when you started the search, especially if you don't have much knowledge about cars.

Choosing to go through a dealership

Going to a dealership and paying for the car immediately and driving away in it sounds pleasing, but it means the buyer will spend more money to procure the car. Another factor that makes this approach unpleasant to some people is the fact that as soon as the car buying process is completed, the considerable investment made begins to suffer depreciation.

Browsing online

Although there are a few places you can search for car deals, starting your search online is a good idea. Some of the points that are essential for you to take note of include the mileage, the year, and the car's general condition. Until you find the correct information as regards these points and some other ones, you cannot conclude it is safe to go ahead with buying a car from a private seller.

Private sale

Vehicles are usually sold at more affordable prices when prospective buyers meet with sellers privately. However, the condition or use of such cars may not be fully known. You surely do not want to go through the experience of parting with thousands of dollars only to realise that you have been hoodwinked into buying a car you will never enjoy.

If you are already considering purchasing a used car privately, there are several things you would do well to keep in mind. You would want to find some salient points such as the mileage, the year, and the car's general condition. Until you find the correct answers to these and some other questions, it would never be safe to decide on buying a car from a private seller.

Asking the right questions

We can understand all the excitement about going to check on a car you want to buy in person, but before you take this step of going out to meet with the potential seller, there are some questions that you should request answers to before you purchase the vehicle.

Doing this is especially important if you want to buy a used car. The more information you have ahead of the meeting, the better your chance of leaving as a satisfied buyer or making informed decisions. Some of the relevant questions you should be prepared to ask are mentioned below.

Questions To Help You Make Informed Choices

What is the mileage on the car's odometer?

Knowing the car's mileage can make you understand how much depreciation and wear and tear the car has suffered. With this information, you will be able to develop an approximate value of the vehicle by yourself.

Checking out a five-year-old crossover that has covered 199558 km on its odometer, for example, should warn you of impending danger. Generally, the price a used car would go for in the market has a lot to do with the number of km it has covered.

Why is the owner putting it up for sale?

Car dealers are into the business for the money they will make from the company, but this is not why private car owners bought their cars in the first place, and it is good for you to know why they are suddenly looking to sell their vehicle.

If they plan to upgrade their car for something perhaps more suitable, that would be understandable. Even if they give their reasons, you still want to be sure nothing is wrong with the vehicle. The information you gather here will be beneficial before you see the car in person.

What is the interior and exterior of the car like?

The seller should honour your request to know about the car's condition because this will be an excellent way to learn a thing or two about the car you want to buy. If you are sent pictures, they may be sufficient for you to see the actual state of the vehicle. Seeing the pictures alone may even be enough evidence for you not to proceed with buying the car, or it could heighten your interest in it.

Does the vehicle have a salvage title?

You need to find out if the car you want to buy has a salvage title because this is a vital factor that will determine whether you can have the car inspected. When you inspect a car and find out that it has a salvage title, it is a high-risk vehicle, and you need to carefully consider the options of buying it or not. Take note that when a car has title damage, it means it was involved in an accident before, and the cost of repairing it would be more than the car's value.

Is the seller willing to allow for a test drive?

As you progress your discussion with the seller, you should ask them when you can come around for a test drive, as this is very important in the entire decision-making process. You need to take time to go for a test drive in the used car before you buy it; otherwise, it could be a fatal error where your hard-earned cash can go down the drain.

However, if the private seller is not willing to allow you to test drive the car before you make payment, you should consider conducting your search for a used car elsewhere.

How many previous owners does the car have?

Knowing the number of owners, the car you want to buy has had is a good bit of information that can be helpful to you because it gives you an idea of how extensive the vehicle has been used. Every vehicle history should include any recalls, odometer readings, title information, loss or damages information.

You should also want to know who used the car and how long it was used, amongst others. The profession of the previous owners can tell you what the vehicle had been subjected to over the years.

Where the seller cannot provide you with a documented history of the vehicle or is not sure of the information to give when you ask, this is a red flag that should make you more cautious in your dealings with them.

Questions To Ask When You See The Car

As soon as you find the car that fits your needs, go and see it in person. If the seller invites you for a one-on-one discussion, that would be a good opportunity for you to ask more questions, especially if something piques your curiosity.

Test-driving the car will help you decide whether or not to buy it since the experience will make you make up your mind faster. If, on the other hand, the seller refuses to let you test-drive it or declines to produce the car's service history, consider other options. The following are some of such questions:

Has the vehicle ever been in an accident?

The car might have previously been involved in an accident during its prior ownership, in which case, it is expected that the seller should disclose all relevant details. You should do all you can to gather as much information as possible regarding any incidents the vehicle has been involved in.

Moreover, you will also want to know whether or not repairs have been done or are still being made. This is important because the seller may choose not to disclose all this information about the car.

Is there a maintenance record for the car?

You can request to see the car's service records before you buy it. Check to see from the records whether the previous owner or owners made regular oil changes and tune-ups. If repairs have been made in the past, records should be available for you to confirm this before you make any payment. The seller can make this available to you, or you can search for it online.

Is there a recall on the car?

You need to ask the seller or dealership if they know of any recalls that the car may have. Several faults might cause a recall of used vehicles, including faulty airbags and malfunctions. Also, find the VIN and look it up on a trustworthy motor vehicle registry, for example, at the Department of Transport, for accurate information on the car.

Is the car under any warranty?

If you plan to purchase a used car from a private seller, you may not get the warranty information because they do not have it. However, if you are dealing with a dealership, then the case may be more straightforward as they should be able to give you the information you require.

This is because they have access to it. By having access to this information, you could save a reasonable amount of money, thereby reducing the cost of any car insurance you will take out on the car.

Can you have your personal mechanic inspect the car?

Private sellers or dealerships have their own mechanics who handle cars for them. However, it is best to bring yours along because your mechanic is duty-bound to reveal the actual state of the vehicle to you. This may not be the case if you go by what the private seller's or dealership's mechanic says.

When your mechanic gives you precise detail of the state of the used car, you will be able to make an informed decision about the purchase you intend to make. This does not mean that the private seller's mechanic is not proficient enough, but they are more likely to be loyal to their employers and say what would be of financial gain to them.

What special features does the car possess?

As you inspect the car, you should note all the features it possesses and decide if they are everything you want in a vehicle. Such features include automatic dimming mirrors, Bluetooth enablement, automatic seats, or keyless entry. If the vehicle does not possess qualities that can make you feel comfortable when driving around, you should consider searching elsewhere for the car of your choice.

Does the current owner have the title in hand?

Once private sellers have decided to sell their car, they should be ready to make the vehicle title available to the buyer. This is one way the private seller can prove to you they are the true owner of the car they want to sell. While inspecting the vehicle, you should check the VIN to see if it corresponds with the make and model of the vehicle.

Are there car parts the owner wishes to give out?

Often, car owners buy and keep spare parts for their cars in anticipation of the time they will be needed. The private seller of a used car may have no further use of such spare parts and may have no need for them again.

They can either give them to you for free or sell them to you at discounted prices. Therefore, you can ask the private seller if they have such items because a positive answer can provide you with additional benefits to the purchase in the end.

Is the seller willing to respond to future inquiries?

You may think you have covered all bases with all these questions, but there is no telling what can happen in the future. You may have to seek the private seller in the future for further guidance with the car since they have been using the car for some time and would be more acquainted with it.

Situations in the future may arise where you would need more information about the car. This will only be possible if you have a relationship beyond selling the car with the private seller. A good relationship would make it easier for you to reach out for more information during such difficult times.

In most cases, private sellers will not consider it too much trouble when contacted for help and would be willing to assist you wherever possible.

Before You Drive Off In Your Car

We can understand the excitement of owning a car, but frequently, you can make rash decisions that you later regret. It is good to think critically and rationally before you buy a vehicle because just as it can be a source of joy, it can also bring unnecessary hardship and financial burden if care is not taken.

There are various car buying tips you can work with before you make the final and crucial step. However, one buying tip you don't want to overlook but which most people do is avoid making hurried decisions.

Private car sellers and some dealerships can pressure you into making early decisions to buy from them, but you don't want to fall for any of their gimmicks. Take some time to look at other available options, and you may be surprised to find better deals.

Another point worthy of note is that, while you don't want to leave the deal hanging for too long, you don't want to show the seller you are too eager to have the car. This can put you in an unfavourable spot when haggling about the car's price.

It is critical to think rationally about what to ask when buying a used car, and if you can't seem to find the correct answers, maybe it is best if you use a professional buying and selling company. They can answer any of your questions and point you in the right direction.