Do You Know What to Ask When Buying A Used Car?

Used cars vary in their quality, and unlike a new car coming right from the factory, they have been driven, experienced depreciation, and may have an unknown history. Buying a used car from a dealership like Rocky’s Auto Credit can lessen the concerns that come with buying a used vehicle. However, when it comes to buying from a private seller there’s a bit more to consider. Either way, you should look for a vehicle history report for the car you have your eyes on. Rocky’s Auto Credit wants to provide Phoenix drivers with some extra help. So, here are questions to ask when buying a used car.

What to Ask When Buying a Used Car

When you are buying a used car in Glendale, there are some things you will want to consider beyond mileage and age. If you ask some important questions, you can better protect yourself before you end up purchasing a vehicle. Let’s check out the questions to ask when buying a used car:

How Was the Vehicle Maintained?

You’ll want to figure out who did the maintenance on your vehicle – was it a dealership, an independent mechanic, or home repairs? You should try to learn how up-to-date the maintenance is, and even chat with the mechanic if you have the opportunity. Another thing to consider is whether the service records are available. If the seller has these on hand that’s a good sign. If you are serious about buying you can also ask if you can take the vehicle to a mechanic for an inspection. Hesitation could be a warning sign, but someone that is confident in the vehicle probably won’t push back on this idea.

Has the Vehicle Been in Accidents?

Sometimes a vehicle history report will contain information about accidents, but other times it won’t. If you learn about an accident that has occurred, take the time to figure out what damage may have occurred and how it was fixed. This will help you prepare your budget in case anything goes wrong as you’re driving around Mesa.

What is the Ownership History & Why Do You Want to Sell Your Car?

This question is an important one. An owner or seller that knows the vehicle’s history is one that really cares about the vehicle. If the seller doesn’t know a lot about the ownership history or has had the vehicle for a short period of time, you might want to reconsider. Most sellers will have a story prepared for why they want to sell their vehicle, but this is a good time to rely on your gut instinct.

How Did You Choose This Price?

A lot of people will throw a number out of thin air, but you can use multiple sources (like Kelley Blue Book) to confirm if the cost is an accurate number for the vehicle in question.

Do You Have The Title?

If the seller doesn’t know where the title is, which can happen if they’ve had the vehicle for a long time or they have an outstanding loan. Either way, you should ask yourself whether or not the process of acquiring a new title is worth your time.

Would You Drive This Car Cross-Country Today?

This question is a fun one to ask the seller. If they can confidently say yes, it’s a good sign for you as a buyer in Tempe.

Chat With The Rocky’s Auto Credit Team About Your Next Vehicle!

Check out our used vehicle inventory at Rocky’s Auto Credit for your future new-to-you vehicle. We offer a comprehensive selection that has been hand-chosen by our team to ensure that your car-buying experience is as smooth as possible. Contact our team today if you have any questions about purchasing or finance-related questions.