Questions to ask when buying a Used Car (Part 2)

Armed with this list of questions, even a novice can find a reliable used car. See part one for questions 1-5.

6.What’s the car’s MPG, and has the car ever been in an accident?

Buying a car that has been in an accident, even if just a small fender-bender, can be risky, as damage to the outer body of the car, even if its been fixed, can mean that the engine has endured more wear and tear.

Even if the owner insists that the car has not been in an accident, you can look the car’s VIN number up on carfax.com or autocheck.com, for a complete legal record of the car. Many sellers will offer to provide this report free of charge—which is always a great sign.

7.What special features does the car have (automatic locks, air conditioning, sunroof, CD player, etc.) and what condition are the tires in?

Replacing tires is expensive. If the tires may need to be replaced in the near future, that should decrease the price of the car. The amount of special features will also affect the car’s price.

8.What kind of oil do you use in the car, and how often do you change the oil? Have you ever had to add oil to engine between oil changes?

The seller’s answer will indicate how involved he or she has been in the maintenance of the car, and by proxy, how well maintained the car has been. The seller should at least be able to look up what kind of oil has been used in the car, if he/she doesn’t know off the cuff, and he/she should immediately answer that the oil has been changed at least once every three to six months, or every 3,000 miles. Adding oil between changes is a sign of an oil leak, which you’ll want to ask a mechanic to check out before buying the car.

9.Have you ever had trouble passing emissions?

10.Can I take it for a test drive, and are you willing to let me take it to an independent mechanic to look at the engine?

Never buy a used car without first doing these two things. Take the car to a mechanic that is familiar with the make and model of the car that you are looking at, and ask what problems he/she foresees in the future, and how many miles he/she thinks the car has left in it.

11. Lastly, google the name of the private seller or dealer to be sure that there isn’t any information circulating about bad deals they’ve been involved with in the past.

—Merete Mueller

Articles that may be related to this one

• July 6, 2010 -- Questions to ask when buying a Used Car (Part 1)