Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Car 

Are There Any Service Records?

Proper maintenance is crucial when it comes to keeping a car performing smoothly for years to come. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure that your vehicle is being routinely maintained. So, when buying a used car, be sure to find out if the ride was regularly brought by a service center for services like tire rotations, engine oil changes, brake pad replacements, and battery tests.

How Was This Car Maintained? 

Not only do you want to ensure the car was properly maintained, but you’ll also want to know how. For example, some vehicle owners may try to perform services on their cars themselves. Generally speaking, this is not a good idea unless the owner is a certified mechanic.

On the other hand, if the vehicle was routinely maintained at a dealership or another certified maintenance center, you can feel confident the work was performed correctly.

How Was This Car Maintained? 

Not only do you want to ensure the car was properly maintained, but you’ll also want to know how. For example, some vehicle owners may try to perform services on their cars themselves. Generally speaking, this is not a good idea unless the owner is a certified mechanic.

On the other hand, if the vehicle was routinely maintained at a dealership or another certified maintenance center, you can feel confident the work was performed correctly.

How Many Previous Owners Were There?

The more owners a car has had the harder it may be to track its service and accident history. More owners can potentially indicate that there may be an issue with the vehicle that you will want to be made aware of. When looking for a used ride, be sure to ask if there’s any information on the number of previous owners.

Is There a Warranty? 

Typically, warranties are given with a new car purchase and last for a set number of miles or years. Some warranties can actually be transferrable with the sale of the ride—which can be a huge perk you’ll want to know about when it comes to servicing the car.

You can also speak to the dealership to learn if there are any warranties the car may be eligible for that you can add on to your purchase.

Are There Any Damages or Mechanical Issues?

Of course, one of the most important questions to ask when buying a used car is if there are any current issues with the vehicle. Most dealers will let you know right off the bat if there’s a major problem, but there can be smaller issues you’ll want to ask about as well.