Questions To Ask When Buying A Used Car From A Dealership

1. How old is the car?

When you shop for a used car, one of the first things you'll notice is its year. While older models may cost less, they may also require more maintenance and repairs. However, you can always check reliability ratings for certain model years to find older gems with stellar scores. Knowing the age of a vehicle and understanding what that means for its maintenance costs is a vital consideration to make before signing on the dotted line. Our sales team can talk you through all of this in person.

2. How many miles are on the car?

This is a question you'll probably have the answer to as soon as you pull up the listing on our website, but it's important to understand what it means. Most vehicles, when well-maintained, can drive up to 150,000 miles. When very well-maintained, this number could reach 200,000 or, in rare cases, 250,000 miles. Before your visit to our lot, ask yourself what your own mileage limitations are. If you have a range you're comfortable with, then we can help you find something within it.

3. What is the condition of the car?

This might seem like an obvious question, but there might be small things you missed when you inspected it yourself. Our used car sales team will make sure you are aware of any wear and tear the vehicle sustained from its previous owner or owners. DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Marlow Heights rigorously inspects each and every model before putting it up for sale to ensure it lives up to our high standards for quality, so that we will be well aware of any small faults.

4. Has the car ever been in an accident?

Although a car might look pristine from the outside, accidents can cause damage that is invisible to the naked eye. It's fine to purchase a vehicle that has been in an accident as long as the necessary repairs have been completed. Reconciling the details about any prior accidents with the automobile's maintenance and repair history will help you confirm it is safe and reliable – and, therefore, a smart investment. Don't hesitate to speak with our team about any prior accidents or incidents a car has undergone. We will deliver all the information we can.

5. Is there a history report available?

Speaking of accident history, this is one of the key questions to ask when buying a used car! Many pre-owned models come with a CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™, which provides a detailed history, from maintenance to accidents. The report also gives you important information about its market value and the number of drivers who have owned it (see list item eight for more details on this concern). Ask our team if they can deliver a CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™ for the automobile you're interested in.

6. Has the car ever been in a flood?

If you live in a hurricane-heavy area, it's always wise to ask about potential floods. Water damage is often invisible to the naked eye, but it can leak into hard-to-reach places and deteriorate features over time. For example, the electrical system is especially vulnerable to flooding. Flood damage is part of the reason why DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Marlow Heights inspects each vehicle so closely. Quality assurance is a critical part of our mission and the values of quality-assurance and transparency we uphold.

7. Does the car have any mechanical problems?

This question will most likely arise when you discuss maintenance history, but if it doesn't, it's definitely worth bringing up. Mechanical issues may not present as serious during your test drive, but can lead to costly repairs down the road. Once again, it is highly unlikely that a used vehicle you purchase at our dealership has mechanical issues thanks to our high standards for quality, but it doesn't hurt to ask before committing to a fresh ride. We are here to provide as many details as we can so that you can make an informed decision.

8. How many previous owners has the car had?

This is one of the less common questions to ask when buying a used car, but it is still quite important. Knowing how many previous owners the automobile has had gives useful insight into its history. Any information about the past of a vehicle will help you maintain it properly, and what you can expect as the next owner. The same way you would ask an animal shelter about the history of the pet you're adopting, you should get as much information about where your car has been as possible.