What are the most important questions to ask when buying a used car?

When you are shopping for a used car for sale, there are a few questions you can ask to ensure that you get the ideal vehicle for you. If you don’t ask these questions, there is a possibility that you could end up with something you don’t want, leading to buyer’s remorse. To help you avoid this buyer’s remorse, we at R&B Car Company have crafted a helpful list below of the best questions to ask when visiting a car dealer near you to purchase a used car.

1. How Much Mileage?

The very first thing you should ask about when shopping for a used car for sale is, “how much mileage does this car have?”. The reason this is one of the most important questions is that some used cars may be near the end of their lifetime, depending on their mileage. After all, you don’t want to drive something off the lot just to have it break down in a few months. When it comes to mileage, you should aim to find a used car near you with less than 100,000 miles. After 100,000 miles, most vehicles tend to cost more than their worth, with frequent maintenance and repairs required.

 

2. Is It Certified Pre-Owned Or As Is?

While shopping with a used car dealer near you, the next factor you should concern yourself with after mileage is the condition of the vehicle. Regarding used cars for sale, there are two different conditions in which they are sold: certified pre-owned and as-is. When a used car is certified pre-owned, it means that it has undergone a series of inspections to certify it as fit for sale. As-is vehicles, on the other hand, are sold in the condition in which they were received. Hence, there is a lot more risk when buying a vehicle as-is from a used car lot near you.

 

3. Are There Any Specials Or Incentives?

Most used car dealers near you will offer deals and incentives on their vehicles. Therefore, you should always inquire about any active specials while at a dealership. Most of the time, these deals occur during holidays or at the end of the year, so you should strive to shop at the appropriate time. You should note, however, that at R&B Car Company, we always have incredible savings on our vast selection of used cars near South Bend.

 

4. What Warranties Are Available?

The next question you should concern yourself with is regarding warranties. Asking about warranties can benefit you in the long run, providing specific maintenance and repairs on your vehicle for a set amount of time or mileage.

 

5. How Is The Fuel Economy?

With today’s fluctuations in gas prices, something else that may be on your mind when shopping for a used car is fuel economy. If you are concerned about fuel economy, you should coordinate with the dealership to find something that suits your preferences. You could even consider a hybrid vehicle if you really want to save money at the gas pump.

 

6. Can I See The Vehicle History Report?

During your visit to R&B Car Company’s South Bend, Indiana car dealership or any other reputable dealership, you will likely come to a decision on a vehicle at some point. Once you’ve decided on a vehicle, before closing on it, you will discuss the vehicle history report. A vehicle’s history report is very important since it provides details on a vehicle’s prior use and maintenance, along with any accidents or incidents that may have occurred involving it. With this being said, you should always ask about a vehicle’s history report if a dealership doesn’t mention it. Ideally, you should find somewhere else to shop for a vehicle if they are unable to provide a history report.