It’s easy to fall head over heels for a vehicle that matches your wish list and budget requirements, but it’s important to gather pertinent information to help you determine whether the car, truck, or SUV is the right fit for you. Before making the final decision to purchase a used car with a loan from a reputable financial institution, ask these important questions first.
Why You Should Ask these Questions First Before Buying a Used Vehicle
Whether you’re purchasing a vehicle from a dealership or private seller, many factors come into play that can significantly impact your decision to purchase. You may think asking these questions is a no brainer but understanding why you're asking them is the key for a better buying experience.
A: What year is the vehicle?
Knowing the year of any vehicle is important in terms of value, mechanical issues, and technological advancements. Vehicles depreciate in value over time and knowing how much value the car holds can help you negotiate a reasonable purchase price.
B: What is the vehicle's mileage?
A vehicle's mileage has direct impact on its worth. High mileage cars are a good indicator of how much wear and tear was put on the vehicle. Inspect the vehicle's overall condition (inside and out) and ask to see the title so you can compare the odometer to inspection records. This will help prevent you from becoming a victim of odometer fraud. The NHTSA estimates that more than 450,000 vehicles are sold with false odometer readings each year.
C: What is the condition of the exterior and interior?
The exterior of a vehicle tells a story about what the vehicle has experienced. A car with significant exterior damage may be a sign that the vehicle hasn't been well taken care of.
It’s also important to ask questions about any repairs that have been made under the hood of a vehicle. This includes areas such as transmission, timing belt, head gaskets, and electrical issues. Considerable work to these and other mechanical areas may be indicators that the vehicle wasn’t well maintained. A vehicle's interior condition should also be taken into consideration. Foul odors, tears in upholstery, and other deterioration can help you gauge how the vehicle was looked after.
D: Can I take the vehicle for a test drive?
Taking a vehicle for a test drive is a relatively standard part of the car-buying process. It's an important component that allows you to analyze how the vehicle feels when you brake, accelerate, and make turns. If possible, select a route with different terrains for a better indication of the car's handling.
Ask for this Information Before You Buy A Used Car
While the excitement of finding a used car can be overwhelming, it's crucial to stay focused and ask the right questions to ensure you're making an informed decision on your purchase. Before you sign on the dotted line, be sure to ask for this information.
1: Can I have a vehicle history report?
Providing a vehicle's history report is becoming something of an industry standard. It furnishes information about accidents, title information, past owners, and more. Most reputable used car dealerships will offer a CARFAX vehicle history report, but if you're buying from a private seller, you may need to pay for this separately or your credit union may be able to provide the report.
2: Are there service and/or maintenance records available?
Service records provide useful information about a vehicle’s upkeep and will help determine whether you should expect future costs for service and repairs.
Shopping for a new car or truck?
Save time and money with our tips!
3: Is there a factory or dealership warranty included?
Warranties are a big plus in the pre-owned vehicle world. If a used car is being sold “as is” it typically means there is no warranty protecting you from assuming full financial responsibility for replacement parts, repairs, or defects. If the car is still under the factory or dealer warranty, this means the manufacturer or dealership will have some financial responsibility in covering repairs that might be needed.
Some dealerships offer extended warranties for an additional price. If you decide to purchase an extended warranty, be sure to view the warranty options available at your credit union to compare the cost. Be sure to use an Auto Loan calculator to get so you can be financially prepared when the monthly payments start coming out of your account.
At Peach State, we offer extended warranties that are usually more affordable than the dealerships.
4: What is the car worth?
Asking what the car is worth is an essential question. Most often a vehicle’s value is based on condition and mileage. J.D. Power and Kelley Blue Book (KBB) are great pricing resource tools that'll provide you with an objective cost estimate. You can use the value in comparison to the estimate you were given from the dealership or private seller to negotiate a fair price that best fits your budget.
5: How would this car impact my insurance premiums?
Purchasing a used car doesn’t happen in a financial vacuum. You'll be required to pay sales taxes, registration fees, and it may impact your insurance premium. Consider speaking with your insurance agent about getting an estimate before you decide to finalize the purchase. If time allows, you may find additional savings by shopping for insurance from different providers.
Shopping for a new car or truck?
Save time and money with our tips!
6: Can I return the car if I don't like it?
Knowing whether you can return a vehicle for reasons such as major defects or affordability will help you decide if you should make the purchase or wait. Be sure to research other options that may offer returns (such as large online retailers) and what stipulations factor in allowing a car to be returned. There may be mileage, return policy limits, or restocking fees that must be met first.
BONUS Questions to Ask a Private Seller
The differences between dealerships and private sellers are worth exploring. You know that dealerships are solely interested in turning a profit on car sales. Private parties usually have other reasons for why they are selling. Don’t be shy to ask additional questions early in the deal-making process.
7: Why are you selling the car?
Most people typically have a good reason for selling their vehicles. These can include things like needing to accommodate a growing family or having an extra car that's not being used. However, if the seller doesn't have a reasonable answer for this question, it could mean they're hiding mechanical or other problems with the vehicle.
8: Do you have the title in hand?
It’s generally wise to purchase a vehicle from someone who has the title in hand, meaning they own the vehicle outright. However, there are valid reasons as to why a title isn't available, such as the seller having an outstanding loan on the vehicle. This adds a few extra steps in the buying process, but the sale can still be made.
9: How long have you owned the car?
Asking this question reveals how many owners the vehicle has had. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with buying a car that has multiple owners. However one-time ownership is generally the best scenario when purchasing a used car. That’s largely because the private seller can speak to the vehicle’s history and, hopefully provide more vehicle information such as maintenance and service records.
How to Finance Your Used Car
At Peach State, our experienced lending team is ready to help you with your upcoming car buying experience. Our qualified Georgia and South Carolina members can count on us for new or pre-owned auto financing that features competitive rates, flexible terms, and fast local decisions.
Start your car buying journey today by getting pre-approved for your car loan, or if you're ready to finance your car, apply online today!
Now you know what questions to ask when buying a used car, it is essential to think about financing. Review our "Car Loans 101: Car Buying Made Easy" complete guide to help you find the best car loan for your needs and budget!
