10 Questions to ask when buying a used car

Before buying a used car, you probably have researched, Googled, and must have taken ideas from your peers. You must have found that a car can really be a headache if you have left anything to be asked by the seller. So, it is better to know all the possible queries you have back in your mind from the past owner/dealer before buying a used car. But what to ask when buying a used car is itself a big question that makes people worry.

You should ask some questions from yourself as well before trusting the seller. Some of them are:

Where can you find the best and reliable used cars? Is it good to look online for used cars? Should you prefer a private seller or find a dealer for purchasing a car?

It’s good to deal with those who are known for their good reputations in dealing with cars purchasing and selling. Online dealing might be risky in terms of the authenticity of the details provided by the dealers and you never know who can be a scammer behind the window.

Here’s the list of some queries that you must ask from the seller before making any transactions.

Why are you selling the car?

If you are dealing with a private seller, the seller may have multiple answers to the question. For instance, the seller may want to upgrade the model or planning to move from the existing place, maybe the car is no longer a fit for his/her family, and so on. It’s better to know the reason behind selling the car from the dealer.

For how long the seller is using the car?

Is it recently purchased? Or how long s/he has been driving this car? The answers may vary when you are

looking for sellers privately. It’s better to ask the length of car ownership, and the reason behind selling it.

Vehicle’s condition

You can check the condition of a car by yourself, or ask a mechanic to do the inspection for you. Before you make any decision, make sure all parts including the body of the car are not damaged or forged. Ask the seller openly as it’s the time when s/he might disclose any secret about any accident in the past that would make you change your decision of having that car.

Mileage covered

Can I see the odometer of the car? By asking the question you can double-check the details the seller has provided you when s/he calls you for the deal. It’s better to keep the details the seller has provided with you when you visit to check the car to ensure that you can examine all the information by yourself. Also, check the registration information matches the car’s VIN or not.

Electronic equipment: Are they updated or replaced

Recent upgrades in the cars can add up the value in your car. A minor oil change speeds up the productivity of a car. If the car needs a tire change, has gas problems, or anything else then you might look into the price which is quoted to you by the seller. Also, ask for receipts if the seller has recently installed any equipment in the car. Moreover, look for the frequency of repairing and maintenance.

Tax status

Check for the last tax paid receipts, how much the seller has been paying the tax, and for how long. It might take you down the line.

Test drive

Don’t forget to take the test drive, to explore the quality of the tires, clutches, and breaks. You will get to know once you have taken a test drive that if it will be a good value for money or not. You can ask the seller to have the car checked by a personal mechanic for a day to inspect the car properly. Make sure to clear every ambiguity before taking the car into your possession.

When it was serviced

Frequent servicing history can tell you so much about a car. You must meet the current service center of the car as well. They also can tell you about the status of the car.

Is it licensed

To see if the car is licensed, you can always check the website of the concerned state department. The websites will have all the information about a vehicle, how long it has been in the property of how many owners. You can get all the required information from there, also you can get the list of owners of cars by putting the necessary credentials.

Vehicle history report

You can always check any information and history of the vehicles online from the vehicle history website.

Now there are some more things you should be aware of before purchasing a car. It is necessary to know what model of cars should you avoid while looking for used cars.

10 Used Cars that You Should Avoid Buying

You should avoid purchasing these used cars because of the reliability issues.

• 2012 Jeep wrangler
• 2008 Mazda 5
• 2010 Dodge challenger
• 2016 Toyota Tacoma
• 2008 Ford 350
• 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage
• 2007 Dodge Caravan
• 2019 Fiat 500x
• 2007 Chevrolet Colorado
• 2014 Jeep Patriot

 Used Cars You Should Consider Buying

You can have your dream car when you know what to look for in the model, in size, and specifications. Here are some names that you should consider while buying a used car whether online or privately.

• 2012-2016 Honda CR-V
• 2015- 2020 KIA Sorrento
• 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2011-2020 Sedan Dodge Charger
• 2016-2020 Luxury Crossover.

It’s always good to look for the budget when you go for purchasing a car. Whether to privately buy it or deal with a dealer. It depends on what kind of car will work best for you. How big or small you want to have your new car. The most commonly used cars of 2019 are:

• Toyota Corolla
• Honda Civic
• Honda Accord
• Nissan Sentra
• Nissan Altima
• Ford Fusion

List of Best Sites for Used Cars

• Autolist
• Autotrader
• Edmunds
• EnterpriseCarsales
• Autotempest
• Kbb (Kelly Blue Book site)
• CarGurus
• Hemmings
• Cardirect

You must have come to this page looking for an answer to “what to ask when buying a used car” and we believe that it has been aptly answered. You should consider the suggestions given but we always advise our readers to do their own research as well before taking any decision to ensure that they get the best deal.