The Most Important Questions To Ask When Buying A Used Car

During the process of buying a new vehicle, you'll find yourself asking a lot of questions. Some of these questions are personal: Do I want a sedan or a hatchback? Which make and model will work best for me? Do I prefer great gas mileage over a powerful engine? Other questions are aimed at people selling the car: How much does this car cost? What are my financing options? Among the very first questions you might ask yourself will probably be: Do I want a new or used vehicle?

The thought of buying a new car is alluring. After all, there are several advantages to buying a car that just rolled off the assembly line. However, more and more people are choosing to buy used vehicles, for good reason. If you want to be a savvy consumer, it's wise to ask plenty of questions before you purchase a vehicle, especially if you choose to buy something that is pre-owned. Keep reading to learn which questions will ensure you'll be satisfied with your purchase.

Why Should I Buy a Used Car?

Some people might be quick to assume that new means better. However, that's not always the case. Sure, a new car will be shiny, clean, and free from any noticeable flaws, but used vehicles are often just as reliable and comfortable as new ones. If you're on the fence about whether to buy new or used, here are some arguments in favor of buying a used car.

Lower Sticker Price

The the biggest benefit of buying used is the money you can save. If you're an economically motivated car shopper, you'll be pleased to learn that you can rack up significant savings by purchasing a used car. Dealerships are usually a bit more willing to negotiate on the price of used inventory, which gives you an opportunity to save even more over the list price.

Less Depreciation

The main reason why used cars cost less than new ones has to do with depreciation. Simply put, depreciation is the decline in the value of a car. The slope of depreciation for new cars is steepest immediately after purchase, meaning that as soon as you drive away from the lot, the car has already a lost significant amount of its value.

For a new car, its value can drop by as much as 20% in the first year of ownership. The slope of depreciation starts to level off over time, meaning that a used car maintains its value for longer. Buying a used car is a wise choice because it means that someone else has already paid the price of the steep slope of depreciation that occurred when the car was new.

Larger Inventory

In addition to saving money, there are other practical reasons to buy a used car. For example, you're able to shop from a much larger inventory of vehicles if you choose to buy used. There are also many more used cars out there than new ones, so you're more likely to find just what you're looking for if you're shopping for a used car. Most dealerships have used cars on their lots of all makes and models, which means you have more dealerships to choose from.

What Questions Should I Ask When Buying a Used Car?

Let's say you've made the choice to purchase a used vehicle. You want to make sure the car you select is solid and reliable. The last thing you want to do is fall victim to a car that looks good on the outside but is nothing but trouble under the hood. Luckily, there are a few basic questions that will help you stay on track when purchasing a used car.

1. How many owners has the car had? If the car has only had one owner, there's a greater chance that you'll be able to get the full history of the car and maintenance records. Frequent changing of hands could also indicate that the car is not desirable for some reason.
2. Are there maintenance and service records for the car?  You can tell a lot about a car by how well it has been maintained. The life span of the engine, for example, will largely depend on simple things, such as regular oil changes. Seeing in writing that the car has been properly maintained over its lifetime thus far will give you peace of mind that the previous owners took good care of it.
3. Does the car come with a warranty?  If the car is still just a few years old, there's a good chance that it's still covered by a warranty, which would then transfer to the new owner. If it's not currently under a warranty, consider purchasing an extended warranty.
4. Has the car been in any accidents?  Being in a small accident might not impact the car's functionality, but if the car has been involved in a bigger collision that compromised the integrity of the car's frame or other key components, it might be worth avoiding. It's a good idea to look up a full history report from a company such as CARFAX before you purchase a used vehicle.
5. What has been repaired or replaced on the car?  It's important to know if any key car parts have been replaced and by whom. Aftermarket parts are often inferior to manufacturer-created parts.
6. How many keys come with the car?  While new cars always come with a spare set of keys, this isn't always the case with used cars. Buying an additional key can be a costly add-on.
7. Does the car have a spare tire and jacking equipment? It might seem silly, but even when giving a car a good once-over, it's easy to forget to look for the spare tire and its accompanying equipment. The last thing you want is to be stranded on the side of the road and realize that your used car didn't come with a spare tire.
8. Is this car a certified pre-owned vehicle? Certified pre-owned vehicles stand out when it comes to used cars. These cars have been through a rigorous inspection process and often come with additional perks.

At Boardman Mitsubishi in Ohio, we're here to help guide you along the path of your car-buying journey. We're happy to answer any questions you might have about any of our available used vehicles. Don't hesitate to reach out and contact us if you have any questions.

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