There is nothing more exciting than buying a new car. Whether this is your very first car or you are about to replace an old one that no longer works, getting a new car is an important milestone. But brand-new vehicles may cost a fortune, and not everyone is willing to pay that much when they simply need a vehicle to drive to work or get around the city.
This is when used cars are a more convenient option. Second-hand vehicles can still be in good condition even though they are not “out of the box”. What is even better is that they come with lower costs, making them more affordable if you are on a budget. However, you want to avoid the potential negative outcomes that might arise when you buy from a used car dealership.
To make sure you avoid a scam and buy the right car, we have prepared 7 key questions to ask before purchasing a used automobile. Let’s get started!
1. What Are the Car’s Features?
Each vehicle comes with its own features and settings depending on the brand and model. Perhaps you are looking for a car with specific characteristics, such as a navigation system or a sunroof. See if these features are listed somewhere or ask for more details from the seller.
It is also best if you can convince the vendor to show you how the feature works. If you ask about a certain function and the previous owner tells you that the vehicle has it, they might be saying it just to convince you to buy the car. Tell them to do a demonstration so you can confirm that the feature actually works.
2. What Is the Car’s Mileage?
Mileage is one of the key aspects that influence a car’s sale. Vehicles are priced based on how many miles they have accumulated. So, higher mileage cars should cost less, while lower mileage cars will have a higher price. As you can imagine, some sellers try to lie about the mileage or manipulate the reading to make it look lower. The latter is easier to do on older car models, while modern ones have extra safety features, making it trickier to mess with the real mileage.
So, always request to see the mileage. You can also take the automobile to a car service so they can check the mileage for you and confirm if it’s genuine or not.
3. Can I get a History Check on the Car?
There are people who sell faulty cars and then, there are those who sell stolen vehicles. As you can imagine, the latter is the worst-case scenario. You want to get an automobile that will not fail after a few journeys, but also one that will not bring the police at your door not long after you sign the deal. To avoid this, you should get a vehicle history check. Do not be scared to ask the seller about this – someone who has nothing to hide will not hesitate to hand the paperwork to you.
A lot of dealers will test their cars with a history check immediately, considering these investigations are not even that pricey.
4. Does the Car Come with a Warranty?
Having a warranty on your car is a plus. If something goes wrong with the vehicle, you know you will not need to pay for repairs, especially if it is not long after the purchase. Ask the seller if the vehicle has a warranty included. Some dealers offer this extra service to their customers. If you do not see it advertised, ask the seller about the warranty. It is your right to do so.
5. Why Are You Selling the Car?
Here is a key question that you might not have thought to ask. There are daily ads with people selling their cars and they all have their reasons for giving up on their vehicles. This question might either bring a genuine answer or cause the dealer to stutter. Some individuals will sell their automobiles because they no longer need them. Maybe they bought a new car or realized that they seldom use the vehicle, and it is mostly housed in the garage. Others will sell a car because it needs major repairs which they cannot afford.
If you are buying directly from the owner, always ask them what convinced them to sell it. If you are purchasing from a dealer, ask how they received the car. Some dealers might resell trade-in cars, while others may purchase carefully chosen vehicles from other dealers or private individuals. There are situations when some automobiles are taken from auctions.
6. Do You Have All the Right Keys?
Imagine trying to buy a car that looks good and functions properly, only for the keys not to be available. How are you going to operate the car and have a spare key in case something happens to the one you use all the time? If you are purchasing a used car, do not hesitate to ask whether the dealer or seller has all the right keys. This includes the ignition key, but also others that the vehicle needs to operate.
7. Can I Take the Car for a Test Drive?
Test drives are useful because they give you a feel of the car and might also reveal hidden issues that the dealer or seller did not want you to know about. You should never buy a car without testing it first. So, ask the seller if you can test drive the vehicle. They should not have any complaints if the automobile is in a good state, and they were honest about any potential problems.
While test driving, you can take note of things like strange sounds, how well the steering inputs work, and so on.
The Bottom Line
Asking the right questions before purchasing a used car can save you lots of money and several trips to the mechanic. Have the questions above at hand whenever you are visiting a car dealership, and you’ll have higher chances of buying a functional used car.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
