Buying a Used Car: 5 Questions You Should Ask the Salesperson
If you've decided to buy a used car, then you've already made a smart decision. Many people forget the fact that there are tons of recent, reliable used cars out there that can save them a lot of money. While price is undoubtedly an important factor in the buying process, there are other key things to take into account to make sure that you don't regret your decision later. To help you in the buying process, below are five vital questions you should ask the salesperson:
Who owned the car beforehand?
You should ask who owned the car beforehand in order to gauge its suitability and the likelihood of future problems. Was the car used solely as a rental? Was it leased beforehand? Was it bought at an auction? Is it a recent trade-in? These are important questions and the answers will clue you into the type of driving that the vehicle has experienced. Also, ask if the car underwent any repairs. The salesperson can provide you with the car's service records so you can learn how well (or not well) the car was cared for. If you want to check out the history yourself, CARFAX is an invaluable resource.
What does the warranty include?
In addition to knowing the car's history, ask about the warranty and what is included. A car can have problems upon or after your purchase, so you want to know what will be covered and what you will have to pay for should any issues arise.
What's the return policy?
This is a question that many car buyers forget to ask. Should you rethink your purchase later, ask the sale person if they have a return policy and what it entails.
Do you take trade-ins?
If you want to use your old car as a trade-in, ask the dealership if they accept them. If they do, this makes your life a lot easier, as your trade-in value can be put towards your new vehicle purchase. This saves you from having to find someone else to sell it to.
Why is this car suitable for me?
Although you probably already had an idea of the type of vehicle you were interested in and may have told the salesperson that, have them elaborate on why it's a good choice anyway. All cars are made to suit different needs; if you're interested in buying a used Hyundai Elantra or a used Chevy Cobalt, the salesperson should be able to elaborate on the advantages of the vehicle and how it will fit your life.
Who owned the car beforehand?
You should ask who owned the car beforehand in order to gauge its suitability and the likelihood of future problems. Was the car used solely as a rental? Was it leased beforehand? Was it bought at an auction? Is it a recent trade-in? These are important questions and the answers will clue you into the type of driving that the vehicle has experienced. Also, ask if the car underwent any repairs. The salesperson can provide you with the car's service records so you can learn how well (or not well) the car was cared for. If you want to check out the history yourself, CARFAX is an invaluable resource.
What does the warranty include?
In addition to knowing the car's history, ask about the warranty and what is included. A car can have problems upon or after your purchase, so you want to know what will be covered and what you will have to pay for should any issues arise.
What's the return policy?
This is a question that many car buyers forget to ask. Should you rethink your purchase later, ask the sale person if they have a return policy and what it entails.
Do you take trade-ins?
If you want to use your old car as a trade-in, ask the dealership if they accept them. If they do, this makes your life a lot easier, as your trade-in value can be put towards your new vehicle purchase. This saves you from having to find someone else to sell it to.
Why is this car suitable for me?
Although you probably already had an idea of the type of vehicle you were interested in and may have told the salesperson that, have them elaborate on why it's a good choice anyway. All cars are made to suit different needs; if you're interested in buying a used Hyundai Elantra or a used Chevy Cobalt, the salesperson should be able to elaborate on the advantages of the vehicle and how it will fit your life.