10 Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Car
Knowing what to ask when used-car shopping can help avoid buying a damaged vehicle or paying more than you should.
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Buying a used vehicle instead of a new one can have advantages, such as a more affordable price and lower monthly payment, but it also has risks. Knowing what to ask when buying a used car can help steer you toward a reliable vehicle that doesn’t turn out to be a money pit.
In the current car market, used car inventory is tight due to fewer off-lease vehicles being returned and owners keeping cars longer. With fewer pre-owned cars to choose from, asking the right questions can help you zero in on the ones worth buying.
Ask these questions when purchasing a used car
It's essential to understand a car’s current condition before buying it. Asking these questions can alert you to potential red flags.
1. Where can I get a vehicle history report?
A vehicle history report gives you an initial glance at a car’s past. Carfax and AutoCheck are well-known providers of vehicle history reports, which provide details about a car’s history of accidents, title information, records of past owners, information about how a car was maintained and more.
Many dealers offer free vehicle history reports, but private sellers usually don’t. Still, it doesn’t hurt to ask an individual seller, because some do buy one to help sell a car. You can also buy a report yourself, but make sure to use a trusted source to avoid vehicle history report scams.
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2. How well was the car serviced and maintained?
Find out if it was serviced at a dealership, by an independent mechanic or a "shadetree" mechanic (one who is not affiliated with a garage). Also ask if the maintenance is up-to-date. Some sellers will even provide contact information so you can speak to the mechanic who worked on the car.
Further, ask the seller if there are service records available. As noted, some history reports provide this information, but not all do, and unreported services are not recorded. If the seller has the car’s service records readily available, this may indicate that they serviced the car regularly.
3. Can I inspect the interior and exterior of the car?
If possible, view the vehicle in person for damage or features that don’t work. It might not be a deal breaker — a malfunctioning CD player might be ok, for example. But other defects can be annoying and costly surprises, such as weak air conditioning, blown speakers or missing pixels in displays.
Check for any significant dents, scratches, rust spots, mismatched paint sections or uneven body panels that might be a sign the car was wrecked and improperly repaired. Open and close the car’s doors, hood and trunk. Check tires for uneven wear, and look under mats for signs of water damage.
4. Was the car wrecked, and how bad was the damage?
Usually, accidents reported to insurance or law enforcement show up on a vehicle history report, but not all are reported. Also, those listed might not reveal the extent of the damage.
Ask the seller if the car was wrecked and, if so, how it was damaged and repaired. Ask if they have proof of repairs, which will show where the work was done. A car that was in an accident but not repaired properly might pose unwanted problems down the line and could even be dangerous to drive.
5. What is the car’s ownership and use history?
How a car was used can clue you in to how reliable it may be. For example, if the car was previously used for ridesharing or as a rental, it may have more wear and tear than a personal vehicle.
In addition, ask if the current owner is the first. If not, does the seller know how many people owned it before? How long did the seller own the vehicle? A short period could indicate trouble. When searching for a vehicle online, consider using keywords such as “original owner” or “service records” or even “garaged” to find cars without a checkered past.
6. What’s the current mileage?
Usually used cars are advertised with their mileage, and it stands to reason that more miles equate to more stress on the car. But for brands known for longevity, high mileage might not be a dealbreaker if the car was well-maintained. In general, good mileage for a used car is an annual average at or below 13,000 to 15,000 miles.
If the car has very low mileage for its age, especially if it appears to have been driven a lot, something could be amiss. Look for evidence of the odometer being tampered with or a mismatch between the current odometer reading and past readings on the vehicle history report or title.
7. Does the seller have the car title readily available?
The title is proof of ownership. If a seller doesn’t have the title, it could mean the car was stolen. It could also indicate there’s still a loan on the car and the lender still has the title. It isn’t impossible to buy a car that has a lien on it, but it isn’t as easy as buying one with a free and clear title. Never pay for a car without having the title in hand or confirming with a lender that you can get it.
The title will also show if a car has a salvage title, meaning it was declared a total loss by an insurance company. In most states, it’s illegal to drive a salvage vehicle unless it’s repaired, inspected and given a rebuilt title. Usually, you can’t get insurance or a loan on a salvage vehicle until it’s rebuilt.
8. Is the car’s price fair or negotiable?
Use a reputable pricing guide, such as Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds, to see how much the car is worth. That will tell you if a seller is asking too much. An overpriced car doesn’t mean you have to automatically walk away, but find out if the listed price is negotiable.
9. Can I take the car for a test drive and inspection?
If possible, test-drive a car you’re interested in buying. This is particularly key for a used car, because driving it can help you detect issues a seller might not tell you about, such as engine noises or braking problems.
Ask about taking the vehicle for a used-car inspection from a trusted mechanic after the test drive. An inspection can reveal things you can’t spot yourself, such as hidden water damage, an undisclosed accident or potential odometer tampering. Pre-purchase inspections typically cost several hundred dollars, so this is a final step when you’re fairly certain about buying a vehicle.
10. Does the car come with a warranty?
Newer used cars may have part of the original manufacturer’s warranty remaining, and many dealers sell certified pre-owned cars with warranties. If a dealer offers to sell you a warranty, be leery of expensive extended car warranties that cost more than you would ever spend on repairs. Also, if the seller offers a free warranty, read the fine print; their coverage can be very limited. Even if a car checks out in all other areas, a decent warranty can provide additional peace of mind.
