Whether you need to replace your current car or just want to pay a reasonable amount of money for your very first vehicle, buying a used car is one of the least expensive ways to get behind the wheel. That being said, there are some important questions that you need to ask when visiting local used car dealers for your next automobile. These questions can help you determine if you are getting the best possible deal, and if the vehicle you are purchasing is exactly what the salesperson claims it to be.
How Many Miles Does it Have?
You can't always be certain that the mileage being shown on a vehicle's odometer is correct, so you need a way to estimate the number of miles that the car has actually traveled. You can use the number given to you by the salesperson as a starting point. Make sure that you are given the chance to test drive the used car, and listen to it run after it has warmed up on the used car dealer lot. If the car has been well maintained, a high number of miles might not be a bad thing at all.
Has the Vehicle Ever Been in an Accident?
There are resources available to verify the accident history of a specific used car, but they generally only report major collisions or insurance company information. Small fender-benders, flood damage or unreported break-ins can damage a vehicle in a number of ways, but are oftentimes not reported. It's important to carefully inspect a used car for anything unusual that could indicate past problems. Signs that you should walk away from a car include poor body panel alignment or gaps, rust inside the vehicle's passenger compartment, engine bay or trunk and any frame damage whatsoever.
Are Service Records Available?
The best peace of mind when buying a used car comes from knowing that it has been properly cared for its entire life. If the dealer can provide you with receipts for basic maintenance such as oil-changes and tune-ups, as well as invoices for more in-depth repairs, then you are ahead of the game. Carefully checking out this paperwork can reveal any deferred maintenance or chronic problems. If the dealership is unable to offer a maintenance history for the car, then you should have the car carefully examined by a trained automobile technician.
Is the Title Clear?
It is crucial to ensure that the vehicle you are interested in has a clear title that is free of any liens. You also want to make sure that the car was never declared as salvage in the past, as this will dramatically lower its value, no matter how well repairs may have been made. You don't have to take the seller's word on it - you can verify both facts for yourself through a title search. Also, if the car needs to pass a smog check, make sure that the seller has it done before the sale or you could be left with an expensive problem to deal with.
