Everyone knows someone who has a horror story about visiting a car dealership. Even though some car dealerships deservedly have a bad rap, many more are going to be an excellent resource for finding a great used car. However, to increase your chances of having a good experience and finding the perfect car, you need to know how to ask the right questions. For starters, here are three questions to ask when buying a used car.
Can you show me cars with good gas mileage?
If you have an interest in looking at fuel efficient cars, be sure to have an MPG rating in mind. For some cars, a 25 MPG rating is considered to be good, though not by comparison to a hybrid or electric vehicle. If you’re clear on what you consider to be a good rating, you won’t waste time looking at gas-guzzlers that you can’t afford.
May I see the Carfax, and the Pre-Certification Inspection?
If you’re looking at certified used cars, it’s a good idea to ask to see the inspection report as well as the Carfax history on the car. Used cars are cheaper because they have some wear and tear on them. In many cars, this isn’t a problem. However, a history of poor maintenance, accidents, and other issues can be a signal of car problems in the future. It’s up to you to learn the true history of a car, and and then determine its likelihood of serving you well for years to come.
What’s the cash price?
Out of all the questions to ask when buying a used car, this one probably gets asked the least. Few people can get a hold of thousands of dollars in cash, but if you can pull some strings and manage it, you could end up saving up to 5% off the price of the car. Remember that not all dealers will accept cash for a car, but in the cases where they do, there’s a good chance you could get a significant discount by offering to pay in cash up front. A cash transaction saves the dealership some time and trouble with paperwork, but if there’s a special financing deal, then that may be the smarter move. You will need to look at both options critically before deciding how you will pay.
Additionally, you can ask about the top rated cars and the top used cars that are on the lot. Before you start visiting used car dealerships, have a list of your own questions to ask when buying a used car. Including the three in this article will help you to weed out cars that are not fuel efficient enough, and not sturdy enough, while also securing a good deal.