Questions to Ask When You’re at a Used Car Dealership

Unsure which questions to ask at a car dealership? It can seem overwhelming, but with a few choice questions, you’ll sail through the used car buying process with ease. So what are the right questions to ask when buying a car?

Based on our experience serving the Roswell, New Mexico, used car market, we’ll cover the most useful questions to ask car sales representatives about the history, condition, safety, and other factors. Consider the following questions the keystones for covering the widest possible range of important details with minimum effort.

Questions to Ask at a Car Dealership

A single well-placed question reveals a lot when you’re in uncertain terrain. With so many options, how do you know what to ask when buying a car? While every used car has its own backstory, there are several foundational questions to ask car dealers that almost always apply.

Questions to Ask About the Car’s History

The following are particularly important questions to ask used car dealers because they deal exclusively in cars with highly varied histories.

• What is the vehicle’s history? You’ll need to rule out whether the car was in an accident, wrecked, stolen, or otherwise seriously compromised.
• Is the Maintenance Record available? Nothing verifies the previous question like a legitimate paper trail from reputable sources.
• Has the car been regularly serviced by a certified mechanic? This is especially good to know if there are gaps in its maintenance history.
• Does the vehicle have a clean title? If you don’t have all the paperwork and proof of ownership in order, even the most incredible used car will become a legal hassle at some point.

Questions to Ask About the Car’s Condition

Equally essential are questions to ask car sales reps about the reliability of any vehicle you’re interested in. These include:

• Can I take the car for a test drive? A test drive is mandatory to detect any obvious issues and get a feel for how the car handles.
• Are there any known mechanical issues with the car? This is especially important for used cars and downright crucial for any car with high mileage and/or several previous owners.
• Is there a warranty? Don’t count warranties out with used options.. Even manufacturer warranties on low-mileage cars could be transferable if the right paperwork is in order. Additionally, it’s important to ask about extended warranties. Extended warranties can provide added peace of mind and protection for a longer period of time beyond the initial warranty period.
• Has a third-party mechanic inspected the car? You can never be too sure; even if the answer is “no,” they may agree to one upon request.

Questions to Ask About the Car’s Features

These may not all seem like essential questions to ask when buying a used car, but you’ll wish you did afterward. It’s much easier to learn as much as possible about the car upfront before closing the deal.

What are the safety and vehicle features? Because your and your loved one’s safety is paramount, asking car sales reps about safety features is crucial.

Are there entertainment or usability features? Consider any subscriptions the previous owner may have up, as well as any performance or entertainment options. Many features aren’t necessarily obvious, and it doesn’t hurt to ask.

What about trim packages? While you obviously can’t change a used car’s trim level, it’s still important to know exactly which model you have for an accurate valuation.

Experience the Tate Branch: Roswell Difference — Take a Test Drive Today!

Once you know what questions to ask at a car dealership, you’ll have a much better command of the situation and a firm sense of direction in your quest for the most suitable pre-owned transportation. If you have any questions about Tate Branch Roswell’s inventory, financing, or other services, don’t hesitate tocontact us orbrowse our inventory.

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