6 Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Car

Important Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Car

There’s no denying that buying a car, new or used, is a huge financial decision. In addition to the big investment, the buying process can be stressful, daunting, and to some, intimidating. Knowing all of the important questions to ask when buying a used car can help you show up to the dealership feeling prepared and informed.

Buyers want to ensure that they get the most bang for their buck, and that the car they’re interested in is in the best condition possible. The best way to ensure this is to ask questions regarding the quality, drivability, and history of the vehicle. To learn the most important questions to ask when buying a used car, continue reading.

Why Buy Used?

There are a lot of valid reasons to want to purchase a used vehicle rather than a brand new one. While new cars come with the latest safety features and technology, used cars are cheaper, just as reliable, and often are in great condition.

Most buyers opt for a pre-owned vehicle because used cars have already undergone most of their depreciation period. New cars lose up to 10% of their value in the first month after you drive it off the lot, but used cars have likely already passed this stage of losing value, as less depreciation occurs later in a car’s life. Additionally, insurance rates for a used vehicle will likely be cheaper than they would be for a brand new car because the used car will be older.

Related: The Best Used Cars to Buy

Consider a Certified Pre-Owned Car

A certified pre-owned (CPO) car is a great option for buyers who want a used car, but with less risk. Typically, a CPO car will be less than five years old, with relatively lower mileage than a regular used vehicle. These vehicles have also been thoroughly inspected to make sure that they’re in the best condition possible.

Though they are a little more pricey than regular used cars, certified pre-owned cars are in near-mint condition and come backed with a passed pre-sale inspection, extended warranties, and other perks such as roadside assistance, and discounted finance rates.

6 Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Car

When you’re at the dealership, it’s important that you are prepared with questions you want answered about the used vehicle(s) you’re interested in. After all, the salesperson is there to answer any question you may have throughout the car buying process. Let’s discuss six important questions to ask when buying a used car.

1. How Old is the Car?

Though this question will likely be answered in the advertisement for the car, it’s important information to know. If the age of the car you’re interested in is not posted, make sure to ask your salesperson for clarification — as older cars will need more maintenance and frequent repairs.

2. What’s the Car’s Mileage?

The mileage of a car you’re interested in purchasing is important to ask your salesperson because the more it’s been on the road, the more wear and tear it’s been subject to. Again, this information will likely be found in the advertisement for the vehicle, but if it’s not, make sure to ask your salesperson.

3. Is There Any Damage to the Interior or Exterior?

Some people don’t mind minor cosmetic damage to the interior or exterior of the vehicle, however, not everyone has that preference. Major damage, such as dents and scratches could be too much to ignore, and compromise the vehicle’s structural integrity. The best course of action is for you to thoroughly check the vehicle for signs of damage, and also ask your salesperson if they are aware of any damage you might not be able to see.

4. Are There Any Mechanical Problems?

This is one of the most important questions to ask when buying a used car. The last thing you want is to spend money on a vehicle just to have to spend thousands more trying to get it to run properly. In addition to making sure the car drives well, you’ll want to ask how the car was maintained with its previous owner, and whether it got taken to a dealership or garage for regular service.

5. Is There a Vehicle History Report Available?

A vehicle history report is a great thing to ask for when buying a used car because it will show you all the details about the vehicle’s previous accidents, repairs, maintenance, and ownership. If for whatever reason your salesperson can’t provide you with the report, you can easily find it on websites like CarFax. Once you have the vehicle history report, you should make sure there is no damage left behind from previous accidents that you weren’t aware of before.

6. Can I Test Drive?

Asking your salesperson to test drive your prospective vehicle is the most important question to make sure to ask. A test drive will give you all of the information you need to know about how the car operates and how it feels while driving. Additionally, the test drive will highlight any issue that may have been overlooked before — ensuring that you know exactly what you’re buying.

Find Your Next Used Car at Battleground Kia

We hope this blog serves as a helpful resource as you begin to research questions to ask when buying a used car. If you, or anyone you know is interested in buying a new-to-you car, our staff here at Battleground Kia can and will make sure you have a seamless car buying experience — with all of your questions answered. Use the button below and contact our dealership to get into contact with one of our sales personnel.