What questions should you ask when buying a used car? | OK Carz

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Questions to ask when buying a used vehicle at a dealership 

While many people buy most of their stuff online, there are few places where you can purchase your car totally online. Choosing to buy a vehicle at the dealership means you’ll have to actually go to the dealership and speak with the salesperson. While some might find this inconvenient, there are others who will take this advantage to learn about the vehicle they are going to buy. While most dealerships provide this information, you might need to ask questions to make sure you’re getting a car that will fit your needs.  

Is there a vehicle history report? 

Most people know this as the Carfax, but even if the vehicle doesn’t have a Carfax sheet, the dealership should know the vehicle history. This will tell you if the vehicle has been in an accident, how many owners it has had, and in some cases, maintenance history.   

Can my mechanic look it over? 

Even if the vehicle has been inspected by the dealership, you should still ask if you can take it to a trusted mechanic to do another check. For most dealers, saying yes to this request should be no problem, and you can rest assured knowing you have a vehicle that is ready to go. If the dealership refuses, you may want to consider another model.  

How is the vehicle equipped? 

While you might be able to see some of the features you’re looking for, like an infotainment system, there are others that might be harder to find until you’re behind the wheel. If there isn’t a list of the additional equipment online or on the vehicle, asking the dealer can help you determine if it has everything you want.

[Related: How to determine which car to buy]

Man in a car dealership looking at a paper with a salesman

Which components have been recently replaced? 

On any vehicle, certain components begin to wear out over time. When you’re buying a used vehicle with a lot of miles, you’ll want to know when certain aspects were replaced, like the timing belt, and even the tires. While this might be included in the vehicle history report or the maintenance history, it doesn’t hurt to double check.  

Is there financing available? 

Unless you’re paying with cash, you’ll need to secure financing for your vehicle. If there’s a bank or credit union that you trust, financing through them might provide you with your best rates. However, asking at the dealership if they provide financing might lead to a better interest rate or lower monthly payment. If you’re unable to qualify for traditional financing, many dealerships are able to help you finance your used vehicle. Drivers who visit OkCarz, or fill out the pre-approval application online, are able to start repairing their credit, so that next time they are able to pursue traditional financing options.  

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