When you are looking at used cars or trucks, there are specific questions that you should ask about the vehicle. The answers to these questions will help you make an informed decision about purchasing the vehicle.
Why Are You Selling The Car?
The way a seller answers this question may tell you a lot. It might be that they need a larger car for their family or they want to upgrade to a luxury vehicle. However, if the seller starts stuttering and avoiding the question, it may be a warning sign that the car is trouble.
Have You Had Any Accidents With The Vehicle?
You may get the truth from the seller. You may not. But it is still important to ask. Major accidents can impact the body, frame, or engine of a vehicle. Even if it has been professionally repaired, you want to know about the accident.
Does This Vehicle Have Any Recalls?
Manufacturers issue recalls all of the time. Owners can take their vehicle to any dealership and have these repairs made for free. However, many people don’t want to be bothered. Most people will tell you if there are recalls if they are aware of them.
What Did You Love About This Car?
Valid question. Listen to what they have to say. It will give you insight into how the car runs and if this is important to your purchase decision.
What Did You Dislike About This Car?
This answer may catch them off guard, but there is an answer. Regardless of who they are or what they drive, everyone has something that irritates them about their car. It might be something as simple as the window motors are squeaky to the fact that it gets bad gas mileage.
Do You Have Any Maintenance Records On The Vehicle?
Some people will keep all the receipts for regular maintenance and repairs in their vehicles. This will give you an idea of how well they kept the car when they were using it.
What Was The Car Primarily Used For?
Why does this matter? It matters because a car used to go to work or take the kids to school will have a lot less wear and tear on it than a car used for pizza deliveries or long commutes.
Can I Take It To My Mechanic For An Inspection?
This should be answered with a yes. The owner should have no problem allowing you to take the car to a mechanic or have a mechanic stop by and look over the vehicle. When you are buying a used car, there is always a risk of mechanical problems. Your mechanic can spot any obvious problems and, with the help of diagnostic tools, can spot any problems that are not clearly visible.
Has The Vehicle Been Modified?
Some car owners love to modify or upgrade their vehicles. This can be great in its own way but it can also impact warranties and insurance rates. You want to make sure any modifications are ones that won’t require you to have to spend extra money to operate the vehicle or pay higher insurance premiums. If the car is still under warranty, confirm that it is still covered with these modifications in place. These are the questions to ask when buying a used car.
When Purchasing A Vehicle
Always remember to run a VINsmart report on any used vehicle before making a purchase. A VINsmart report runs a complete history on the vehicle including whether it has ever been reported as stolen, involved in a major accident, or listed as a totaled vehicle. VINsmart will teach you the questions to ask when buying a used car.
VINsmart reports will also give you a registration history and mileage at registration. It reports any significant incidents related to the vehicle, such as being involved in a fire or flood.
When you are going to purchase a used vehicle, the best way to ensure you are making a good purchase is to know the vehicle’s complete history.
