How to Buy a Used Car Part I: The Questions You Need to Ask

Buying a used car can be a complicated process that some people find to be filled with uncertainty and doubt. A used car has the potential to carry any of a long list of burdens such as previous accidents, mechanical problems, defects, safety issues, and more. With all this in mind, some people refrain from looking at used cars all together. In doing so however, they may be missing out on some great deals on some great automobiles.

I have bought and sold numerous vehicles and am an avid backyard mechanic. I’ve also had the opportunity to repair a variety of vehicles while working in a local auto repair shop. I am by no means an expert, but rather an individual with experience in the buying and selling process, and repair process, of used cars. My goal is to take some of the fear and uncertainty out of buying a used car, particularly from a private party. I aim to give you, the average car buyer, the information that will allow you to successfully find and purchase a reliable, quality used car that you can truly be happy with and hold confidence in.

I have compiled 15 questions that I believe are essential to ask when inquiring about a used car. These questions are meant to be asked before you ever meet the seller for a test drive. By asking these questions over the phone or via email, you can maximize the time you use to look for your next car. When making calls you may find it helpful to keep these questions on a clipboard so that you’re sure not to forget any, and so you have a place to take notes. I have ordered the questions in what I would consider a logical sequence, and all of the questions are basically of equal importance.

1.How many miles are on the car? It’s important to realize that the miles shown on the speedometer do not automatically reflect the wear and tear on the car. Ask if the miles are predominantly highway miles or city miles. Highway miles are generally much easier on the car than city miles are. If the miles are a little higher than you expected, but the car was used primarily for long freeway commutes, it may still be worth looking at.

2.Are there any notable problems with the vehicle? Be up front with the seller and ask this question right off the bat. If the car has any issues, you’ll know right away. If the seller says that the car has no problems, your subsequent questions will seek to confirm this.

3.Does the car burn oil or smoke? Burning oil is a sign that the engine is becoming worn out. The burning oil will produce blue colored smoke in the exhaust. Also ask if the car smokes- the smoke may be blue, white, or black. Each color of smoke indicates a different problem. If the car smokes at all, it’s best to pass on it.

4.Does the car leak fluids? The average automobile relies on many different fluids to operate. Generally speaking, leaks are a bad thing. Coolant (antifreeze) leaks, power steering fluid leaks, brake fluid leaks, automatic transmissions fluid leaks, and clutch fluid leaks (on cars with manual transmissions,) can all be considered bad in any amount. Motor oil is slightly different. If the engine drips oil consistently, this is a problem. If the engine leaks only enough oil to coat the bottom of the engine with a modest amount of grime or oily residue, but not enough to drip, this can be considered normal if the car is more than ten years old or so.

5.Does the engine idle and cruise smoothly and does the transmission shift smoothly? Smooth operation of both the engine and transmission are vital to the smooth performance of the car as a whole. Ask if the engine idles rough or has any hesitation under acceleration. Also ask if the transmission shifts smoothly. Transmission problems come in all shapes and sizes, but for example: A manual transmission in need of maintenance or repair may make noises when shifting or cruising, and may be hard to shift in and out of certain gears. An automatic transmission in need of maintenance or repair may slip out of gear while cruising or shift too early or too late.

6.What condition is the clutch in? For vehicles with manual transmission. You want to make sure that the vehicle has a solid clutch. A clutch in need of replacement may slip, making shifting difficult. A newly replaced clutch is always a plus, particularly in vehicles with higher mileage.

7.Does the car have any rust? Rust can be a major concern, especially to buyers in snow states or in coastal areas. Rust may be found on the body of the car, but can also abound on the undercarriage where it can corrode and make inoperable important parts. It’s best to stay away from vehicles with rust.

8.Has the car passed Smog? Here in California, the seller of a vehicle is technically required to provide the smogging of a vehicle prior to selling it. If the seller has not already done so, ask them to have the car smogged prior to test driving it. If the vehicle does not pass, this could indicate that repairs need to be made. These repairs can range from being inexpensive to very costly, so it’s best to stick with cars that have already passed smog.

9.Does the car have a clean title? A clean title basically indicates that the car has not been involved in any major accidents. If the car has a salvage title or the seller has no title at all, it’s best to pass on the car.

10.Has the car had any major repairs or replacements? Ask if the car has had any major body work or mechanical repairs over its life. Major body work may indicate that the car was in an accident, so this question is another way in which you can indirectly ascertain the accident history of the car. Mechanical repairs or replacements may indicate general wear and tear, defective parts, or chronic problems. The nature of the specific past repairs will dictate whether they are a concern to you or not. Some overhauls like a transmission or engine rebuilds are good things, and add value and longevity to the car.

11.Has the car received consistent maintenance? Has the car received oil changes every 3,000 miles? Has it been serviced every 15,000 and or 30,000 miles? Have scheduled part replacements been carried out? This scheduled maintenance is necessary to ensure the long life of the car. If the owner has failed to provide the necessary preventative maintenance, that nice car that you see on the outside may be hiding dilapidation and neglect underneath.

12.Does the seller have service records and receipts for the life of the car? Ask about full service records, not just receipts for recent work. The more records that the seller can provide the better.

13.How many owners has the vehicle had? It is also smart to ask how long the current owner has owned the vehicle. This will give you a good idea of the scope of their knowledge and experience with the vehicle. Also ask what sort of people the owners have been, if the seller knows. For example, was the car owned by an elderly woman or a teenager for most of its life?

14.Why is the seller selling the vehicle? Get a solid reason for selling the car from the seller. It’s good to note where the seller is coming from and this may aid in negotiating a price later. Additional tips:

In general, try to find cars with the lowest miles that fit within your price range.

Make sure you get satisfactory answers to all of these questions before you go to test drive the vehicle. This will help both you and the seller save time and effort.

For added confidence in the history of the vehicle, you can ask the owner for the VIN number (Vehicle Identification Number) of the car prior to test drive. Some sellers will even post the VIN in the advertisement for the vehicle. You can visit www.carfax.com, enter in the VIN, and for a small fee receive a CARFAX report on the vehicle. This report will give you a detailed history of the vehicle and reveal potential problems such as accidents, odometer fraud, flood damage, and more.

Keep in mind that even after asking these questions and inspecting the vehicle yourself, you may want to take it to a reputable mechanic so that it can get a full looking over by a professional before you make the final purchase. Some serious issues can lurk beneath the body that only a professional can uncover.

Be sure to read my next article, How to Test-Drive a Used Car. In that article I will give you all the information you need in order to visually inspect and test drive a used car with confidence.