10 Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Car

Everybody knows someone who got taken for more of a ride than they bargained for when buying a used car. Many times, the hard-luck stories are preventable—if only the buyer had been better prepared for the process and asked the right questions.

Prices have been high since the pandemic and the potential pitfalls are many but you can still get great deals. Every used car has a history that you need to discover. Consider the research you do before you buy as a cost-saving exercise and an integral part of your overall investment in your next car.

You need to know where to shop, what your buying/leasing/subscription options are—and the right questions to ask of vehicle sellers. To assist, here’s a list of the 10 most important questions to ask when buying a used car.

The most common mistake when buying a used car

Buyers make many mistakes when buying used cars but the most common (and serious) one is the failure to take a closer look at what they’re getting for their money.

Every used car buyer should arrange a thorough vehicle inspection by a qualified professional before laying their money on the table. Just because you’re buying from a friend, work colleague or family member shouldn’t make a difference. 

A thorough vehicle inspection is about protecting your investment and making sure you’re getting good value for money. After all, if it’s your first used car, it’s probably a sizable financial commitment for you. Be armed with a used car inspection checklist so that all of the important details about the car can be ticked off one by one.

Used car inspection checklist

You can check for certain red flags like rust by simply looking at the underbody with a flashlight. Check the lower door and fender areas as well as the trunk/hatch area. Paint bubbles are a precursor of visible rust.

Another tell-tale sign of something wrong is evidence of leaks—oil on the ground under the car could suggest engine or transmission issues that can be expensive to fix. Also, listen for issues when you test-drive the vehicle. Any abnormal squeaks or rattles or foul odors should be a red flag.

As well as the obvious checks that you do, a qualified mechanic will check everything under the hood and ensure that you’re getting your money’s worth. It’s worth spending a couple of hundred dollars on a professional inspection that could save you thousands.

10 important questions to ask before buying a used car

When you’re in front of the vehicle owner or the used car salesperson, ask the following questions as a priority:

1. How many past owners has the car had?

Start with a simple factual question. The seller should know the answer but you can also verify the information with a vehicle report from websites like carfax.com, autocheck.com and is-it-a-lemon.com. You can also check whether it has a “clean title”, which means that the vehicle has little-to-no damage. 

2. Does the car have a maintenance record?

It’s your job to discover the history of the used car you’re going to buy. Was it in any accidents or did it suffer any mechanical faults? A quick look at the maintenance record will tell you a lot. A car that was serviced frequently at the dealership or by a licensed and independent mechanic may be more reliable than one that was infrequently serviced. If possible, speak to the mechanic who serviced the vehicle.

3. Are there any features that don’t work well/properly?

If the owner is being honest, he/she should be able to point out one or two things that are not quite “as new”—or they may be hiding something. The answer to this question will tell you a lot but won’t replace the need for a thorough used car vehicle inspection. 

4. Why are you selling it?

Upgrading, downgrading, moving interstate…there are many reasons for wanting to sell a used car. You, as the prospective next owner, need to rule out that they’re selling it to get rid of a lemon. If you’re given a credible answer, it should aid your peace of mind.

5. Is there any reason why I couldn’t drive it to Mexico tomorrow?

This is a playful question that will get the seller thinking. You can ask it half in jest but what you want to establish is what the owner really thinks of the condition of the car. If the question unsettles the seller, it could be time to move on to the next one on your used car shortlist.

6. Has the car always been driven in this area?

Depending on your location, it’s important to establish whether the car has ever been driven in areas of the country that are more prone to rust or other problems from sea air, salted roads or other issues. 

7. How did you arrive at this price? 

You need to establish whether there is any “wiggle room” in the price. The answer to this question will help you see if the price is negotiable (it invariably is with used cars). If the seller used a pricing guide, check which one and then check yourself according to what you know about the car.

8. Does the vehicle come with a warranty? 

Depending on the age of the car, some of the warranty period may remain—which can add value to the vehicle and minimize your risk. If you’re buying a used car from a dealer, you can check whether an extended warranty is available.

9. Are the owner’s manuals in the car? 

Your used car should have its original owner’s manuals. Strangely, perhaps, the condition of the owner’s manuals often matches the condition of a car! It’s not a hard and fast rule, but a pristine owner’s manual in the glovebox is an encouraging sign that the vehicle has had few problems and has been well looked after by the owner(s). If there are no manuals, ask for a new free copy of them from the dealership if you’re serious about buying the used car.

10. Is the car a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle?

A Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle comes with some quality guarantees as it’s been certified by the manufacturer. CPO cars are often lease-return cars with low mileage and routine maintenance all up to date—and they sometimes have warranties. This may be a good option if you prefer to buy from a dealership.

A checklist for buying a used car…

Doing your homework, getting a vehicle inspection performed by a qualified mechanic and asking the right questions to the seller can help you land the used car you really want—rather than the one you think you’re getting. 

Having a used car checklist of questions to ask when you’re in front of the seller will tell you much of what you need to know and prevent you from making a purely emotional decision.

Is there an alternative to buying a used car?

Buying a used car isn’t your only option. A car subscription saves you the risks and hassles of buying and owning a car. With a subscription, you can drive the car you want for a single monthly fee that includes registration, insurance, maintenance and roadside assistance. You’ll never have to worry about being sold a lemon.

FINN provides a convenient car subscription with no down payment or long-term commitment necessary.