Take a look through these 11 questions to ask when buying a used car, and help leverage yourself into a great deal.
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A vehicle sitting in the classifieds or on a dealership lot may have many stories to tell, as long as you know what questions to ask when buying a used car. Shopping for a used car can seem like a challenge, and you're not alone if you feel this way. Arming yourself with strong questions could help you know what you're getting into.
When shopping around, don't be afraid to grill a salesperson. Off the bat they may lack answers, but that's nothing a little digging on their part can't solve. What about questions to ask when buying a used car from a private party? The good news is that private-party sellers may know more about their cars than dealers do. After all, they've probably been driving the vehicle for a while, and in some cases, they may even have owned it since new.
Here's a look at several important questions to ask when buying a used car from either a dealer or private party.
While you can't expect a salesperson to know the history of every vehicle on a big lot, it's always worth asking them what they know about the car. Maybe they handled the trade and can provide some hints about how the previous owners used it. Or they can tell you if it was acquired, as so many cars are, at a dealer-only auction.
You'll have better luck with this question in a private-party sale. When inquiring, you're looking to learn about when the seller acquired the car and how they used it. If they were not the vehicle's first owner, they may be able to tell you a little about its past prior to their acquisition. A history of garage storage—as well as whether the car has seen more highway, suburban, or urban use—can be highly desirable.
Asking this question can tell you a lot about how fastidious the previous owner has been. Meticulous maintenance with documentation shows an owner who cared about their vehicle and was willing to spend money to keep it going. While you needn't write off a dealer or seller who is unable to provide receipts, the car may need a little more stringent inspection should you choose to go see it.
A "yes" to either of these does not have to automatically lead to a "no" from you, but it should open some follow-up questions, such as the severity of damages incurred and extensiveness of repairs. Documentation for these items is critical as it can be hard to take a seller at their word.
If the car was previously wrecked or stolen and recovered, you'll want to inspect the title closely to ensure it is "clean," meaning the car has not been issued a salvage title at the behest of an insurance company.
Two major firms provide vehicle history reports that can detail where a car was registered throughout its life, give you a glimpse into its service history, and tell you if it was ever in a wreck or had its odometer altered. Carfax is costlier and more comprehensive than AutoCheck, but using both in tandem can uncover a lot about a car.
Dealers typically provide one or both, but you may need to request the data. Be wary of a dealer who is unwilling to provide a history report. Don't worry if the Carfax or AutoCheck data makes no mention of service history. Not all shops or dealerships report information to those organizations.
Private-party sellers will sometimes provide a Carfax or AutoCheck history report. If they choose not to do so, the seller can provide you with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) so you can purchase one yourself. While not a car's biography, such documentation often reveals a lot about a vehicle—and it can tell you if the seller has been truthful.
This really just applies to private-party sales, but there aren't too many used cars in perfect condition, so let this question rip. Odds are the owner has had at least an item or two repaired, which can add to your pre-purchase peace of mind. There's no reason to fear recent major fixes—if anything, evidence of such work can save you thousands in the long run because someone else took care of those gremlins for you.
A follow-up to this question can include asking whether there are any open recalls—that is, recalls up to 15 years old left unaddressed. If the seller is unsure (or you want to be certain for yourself), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of open and completed recalls that you can access using the car's VIN.
Here's where you can start putting your negotiator's hat on. Hopefully, the seller will disclose any issues even before you go to see the car.
If there are smaller issues—especially wear items such as tires or brakes that will eventually need to be replaced on any car—you can do a little research ahead of time to determine the cost of replacement. Armed with that knowledge, you can try to negotiate a lower price.
A new car comes with more than just a key. A well-kept used car should retain two keys and remote fobs (if applicable), as well as the owner manuals. These items are important to have, but can be expensive to recover if they've gone missing—modern keys can cost .
Additional items to consider include floor mats (both carpeted and winter-ready rubber), roof rack cross bars, luggage covers, or winter wheels and tires. While many dealers will discard service records for privacy reasons, some will provide you with redacted documentation—or at least be able to print out a car's service history if it was maintained in their shop.
Careful private sellers will likely include the owner's manual and extra keys. Additional items can obviously vary by car, but it's better to ask than not for extras. Furthermore, you can ask if the seller has kept the original window sticker—the federally-mandated document that was affixed to the car's window when it was new. This lists out the vehicle's original specification, including major factory-installed options. This can be useful when comparing cars, and again, it shows the owner may have been meticulous with their vehicle.
A traded-in vehicle is rarely immediately ready to go to a used-car lot, as are many private-party, pre-owned vehicles. Dealerships typically perform at least some servicing, and they will normally be able to provide documentation. The best private sellers do this, too. An oil change and replacement of wiper blades sounds basic, but may save you some money. Bigger work, such as installation of new tires, brake pads and rotors, or even regularly scheduled maintenance, may save you thousands. This kind of work is worth factoring into the price you want to pay for the car.
There are three kinds of warranties you may find on a used car.
If you find that you like the car, a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) from a trustworthy mechanic or repair shop can be worth its weight in gold, as it can determine any underlying issues not immediately visible to an untrained eye.
A transparent seller should be willing to have such an inspection performed, though typically it is the potential buyer's responsibility to pay for this.
You might be surprised with the answer to this one. Many dealerships have a policy that will let you return a car within a few days (and a few hundred miles) if for some reason you decide it's not the vehicle for you. That said, you can save yourself the hassle by asking about an extended overnight test drive.
It should go without saying that posing this question to a private seller won't go over so well. In fact, you might be surprised with the answer, but not in a positive way.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Andrew has been hooked on cars since his mother coaxed him into naps by driving him around in her rattly old diesel Mercedes-Benz. Perhaps it was the diesel fumes that lulled him to sleep. Either way, he has since parlayed his automotive enthusiasm into a decades-long career as a journalist writing for such well-known sites as Auto Express, Autoblog, Car and Driver, Leftlane News, Motor1, Motor Authority, and The Car Connection, not to mention numerous classic-car publications. When he's not researching cars, he's probably working on one — though he has yet to own a diesel Mercedes. Off to the classifieds he goes.
This guide provides answers to some of the more frequently asked questions regarding the purchase of a used car. It covers the purchase of used cars and light trucks from a licensed dealer.
It does not apply to used cars that you purchase from someone in a private sale (consumer to consumer) or new vehicles purchased from a dealer.
As you consider purchasing a used vehicle, remember you may ask to have the vehicle inspected by your own mechanic, at your expense. You may also consult with your lender, insurance agent, and attorney to discuss the financing, insurance coverage, and purchase terms.
As with any transaction, it is important to ask questions and read all written contracts carefully.
If you have specific questions or concerns, you may contact the Enforcement Services Division for information or to register a complaint.
I wish you luck in your search for a used vehicle and hope you have many miles of safe driving on Maine's roadways.
Sincerely,
Shenna Bellows
Secretary of State
I bought a used car from a dealer, and now I've changed my mind. Can I return the car and get my money back?
Under most circumstances you cannot return the car only because you changed your mind. While products sold to you at home (door-to-door) may be returned within three days if you change your mind, Maine law does not allow a "cooling off" period for sales taking place outside of the home, such as used cars purchased from a dealer.
For more information, please visit Used Special Vehicle Dealer.
I put a deposit on a used car but did not take delivery. Is the dealer required to return my deposit if I change my mind?
It depends on the dealer. While Maine law does not require the deposit be returned, it does require the dealer to provide you with a written copy of its deposit policy. Therefore, it is important to ask about the deposit policy and read all documents carefully before you place a deposit on a used car.
What does the dealer have to tell me about a car that I wish to purchase?
Maine law requires a Used Vehicle Buyer's Guide be posted on a used car's window with the following information:
Is the dealer required to give a 30-day warranty on used cars?
No. Other than the state safety inspection warranty, Maine law does not set a warranty coverage or a time period a dealer must provide for a used car. Maine law also does not specify what items and terms a warranty includes.
Often a dealer will have standard written warranty coverage. Review any written warranty carefully to determine the length of the dealer's warranty and the items covered for your used car. These will be listed on the express warranty section of the Used Vehicle Buyer's Guide.
If there is a remainder of a factory warranty, do I have to buy a service contract?
This is a decision that you must make based upon the time and mileage left on the factory warranty. A service contract may be purchased and will provide coverage for certain repairs listed in the service contract.
Review the service contract and the factory warranty carefully to be sure the service contract is not duplicating the coverage you may already have with the factory warranty. The service contract that you purchase will not cover until the factory warranty has expired.
What is a 'warranty of inspectability'?
Generally, all used cars sold by dealers must have an inspection sticker on the car that was issued within the past 60 days. This is called a “warranty of inspectability.” This means that the vehicle has been inspected for the purposes of issuing an inspection sticker and will pass inspection on the day it is bought.
When may a used car be sold without a warranty of inspectability?
A car will not have an inspection sticker when is it is posted with an 'Unsafe Motor Vehicle' certificate. This certificate is completed by a licensed inspection mechanic and indicates the car was inspected but did not pass the inspection. The certificate will list the items that failed inspection.
If you are interested in purchasing a car with this designation, you should keep in mind that the car must be towed from the dealer's lot, cannot be test driven on Maine roadways, and cannot be issued a temporary plate.
The Used Vehicle Buyer's Guide says that the car is a "repaired", "salvage" "rebuilt salvage " or "rebuilt." What does this mean?
A unibody is what used to be called a frame, with the body engineered to resist buckling. Quite often unibody damage is an indicator that the vehicle was a total loss in a collision.
You may want to have the car examined by your mechanic. You should also consult with your insurance agent and lender prior to purchasing a vehicle with this designation.
The Used Vehicle Buyer's Guide indicates damage to the "unibody." What is a unibody?
A unibody is what used to be called a frame, with the body engineered to resist buckling. Quite often unibody damage is an indicator that the vehicle was a total loss in a collision.
You may want to have the car examined by your mechanic. You should also consult with your insurance agent and lender prior to purchasing a vehicle with this designation.
How can I get the name of the last owner of the car that I am interested in?
The dealer is required to give you the name and address of the last owner if you request this information. This does not violate privacy laws.
What is a Title and why is it important?
A Title is a certificate that shows ownership of a vehicle. It indicates the person selling the vehicle is the lawful owner. The dealer will have the Title to the car. You have the right to ask for and review the Title.
What should I look for on the Title?
You should check the mileage and any notations regarding salvage or repairs, etc.
You will also want to look for liens and make sure any liens have been released. A lien indicates that a bank or other person may have loaned money to the prior owner, usually to purchase the car, and this gives the bank or other person a right to the car if the loan is not repaid. The lien will remain on the vehicle title until the money is repaid. Once a lien is paid, it will be “released” and the bank will no longer have any rights in the car.
I was told that I will save money on sales tax if my sales contract shows less than I paid for the car. Is this legal?
No, this is not legal. You and the dealer could be subject to criminal charges and prosecution for making false statements on sales tax forms.
Is there a limit to the "documentation fees" that I can be charged?
There is no limit. However, the dealer must post the documentation fees charged on the car and must charge sales tax on that amount.
Does the Lemon Law apply to used cars?
Generally no. Maine's Lemon Law applies only to new vehicles, or in very limited circumstances to used cars. The problems would have to occur within three years of original delivery of the car or within the first 18,000 miles, whichever comes first, for the car to qualify. You should contact the Attorney General's Lemon Law Arbitration Office and find out if you are eligible for a free Lemon Law Arbitration hearing.
What are 'Program Cars'?
A Program Car is a used car that was probably used as a daily rental car. Generally, a program car is no more than 2 years old and has the remainder of the factory warranty available to the next owner.
A factory warranty is a warranty provided by the car manufacturer that covers the repair of certain parts and vehicle defects. Generally, it will provide coverage for a certain number of years or miles, whichever comes first.
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