What To Ask When Buying a Used Car

Buying a Used Car is one of the most important decisions we make. As buying a car is a huge financial investment, it is important that you ask the right questions to make the best buying decision.

Here are 10 questions you need to ask when buying a Used Car.

1. Why are you selling the car?

The first question you need to ask a seller is why they are selling the car? It’s often hard to understand why someone may want to sell their car, most of the time it’s because they want to upgrade or buy something that better suits their lifestyle.

The reason why it is important you ask this question is you could find there may be issues or other worrying reasons that are forcing the seller to sell.

2. How long have you had the car for?

It’s important to understand the history of a used car before you look to purchase it. Ask the seller how long they have had the car for. See how many kilometers are on the vehicle, ask them how the vehicle performed for them since they had it. The older a vehicle is the more prone it is to experience issues.

3. Is the any noted damage?

This question often determines whether you will buy the Used Car or not. Ask the seller if there are any noted damage on the vehicle. Inspect the car with them, look for any faults or issues. More importantly ask them if they have repaired any damage or issues in the past. It’s important to know what type of repairs a vehicle has had as it could affect the price and future performance.

4. Is there any warranty with the car?

Warranty is so important, especially when buying a Used Car. As a Car Buyer, you want as much protection as possible that’s why you need to ask the seller if the vehicle is under warranty or if they are providing any warranty with the car. You want to make sure you are protected from any future faults, so warranty is essential!

5. Is there any outstanding finance on the Vehicle?

A mistake that many Used Car Buyers make is not checking whether a vehicle still has finance owed. Some buyers have been stung in the past after finding out the vehicle still has finance owed to another party. Before you consider buying a Used Car ask the seller about the finance on the vehicle and how that will be repaid. You need to ensure there is no finance owing on the vehicle at the time you buy it.

6. Do you have any Car History Reports?

If you are buying a car from a Dealer, it is important to ask if they have Car History Reports they can provide. The benefit of asking for Car History Reports is it shows you the vehicles entire history, any repairs it may have had and most importantly if it is under any vehicle recall. If you are buying from a private seller, you can purchase Car History Reports directly on the official website here.

7. Can I get an Independent Mechanic to Assess the Car?

This is a big question to ask! You need to ask the seller if they are okay for you to get an independent mechanic to assess the condition of the car. The reason why you want a third party to inspect the car is they will give you an unbiased opinion of the cars condition and any potential faults. If a seller is not willing to do this, they may have something to hide. Getting an independent mechanic to assess the vehicle will cost you some money but will provide greater protection.

8. Can I take the car for a test drive?

This one is a no-brainer, if you are going to buy a used car you need to take it for a test drive. Ask the seller if they are willing to let you take the vehicle on multiple test drives. You need to know 100% that the vehicle is right for you and your needs.

9. How much will you take for the car?

This is where it gets a little bit tricky. Once you have decided the vehicle is right for you, you have done the relevant checks and are confident about buying the vehicle, you will now need to negotiate with the seller. Ask how much they will take for the car, see if they are willing to move from the advertised price and see if they will take a cheaper price for a cash payment option.

Related Article: How to Negotiate the Cheapest Price When Buying a Used Car.

10. When can you sell?

Once you have got past all the nit and grit of negotiation and vehicle checks, the last question you need to ask is when you can sell? Some sellers may not be able to provide you with the car right away. It’s important to ask the date you can get the vehicle.

Final Word,

Buying a Used Car is a huge experience. To protect yourself from making the wrong buying choice you need to ask as many questions as possible and gain the most knowledge. The 10 questions mentioned above should be asked when looking to purchase a used car.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. To read more articles like this, please visit the Shop for Cars latest news page here.

About Shop for Cars,

Shop for Cars is Australia’s first car dealership-only online classified. Shop for Cars brings you the best quality new and used vehicles from trusted motor dealers Australia wide. Shop for Cars currently has over 12,500 cars listed for sale all from licensed Motor Vehicle Dealers ONLY.

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DISCLAIMER: This is all based on opinion please research and consult with all relevant parties to make the best buying decision.