8 Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Car

The answers you get to basic questions about a used car--even over the telephone--can help you avoid a heap of trouble later. That's especially true when you're buying from a private party. The following queries will help you separate the cream puffs from the clunkers in your used-vehicle search. Any strange, far-fetched, or odd-sounding answers to routine questions should put you on guard.

1) 'What color is the car?'
Color is important, but this question is meant mostly to break the ice. Whatever the answer, follow up with, "Are the body and upholstery in good shape?" You want to get a general idea of the car's condition.

2) 'How is it equipped?'
If the ad doesn't specify, ask about key features: number of doors; automatic or manual transmission; air conditioning; antilock brakes; air bags; sound system; power windows, locks, seats, or mirrors; cruise control; sunroof; upholstery material; and so forth.

3) 'Have you owned it since it was new?'
You want to be able to piece together as much of the car's service history as you can. Be concerned about a car that's changed hands quite a bit--three or four times in two years, say.

4) 'Are you the person who drove it the most?'
Ideally, you want to meet the car's principal driver or drivers to see if they strike you as responsible people. Be wary of a car that has spent years in the hands of a teenager.

5) 'How many miles does it have?'
If the mileage is higher than, say, 20,000 per year or lower than 5,000, ask why. If a car has high mileage because its owner had a long commute to work, that's better than if a car was used on a delivery route. Stop-and-go use is a lot rougher on a car than freeway miles. Low mileage is a good thing, but you'll have to make a careful inspection to determine if the mileage claimed is too good to be true.

6) 'Has it ever been in an accident?'
If so, ask about the extent of the damage, cost of repairs, and the sort of shop that did the work. Don't worry too much about minor scrapes, but think twice about buying a car that has been in a serious accident--crucial components such as the frame may be irreparably damaged.

7) 'Do you have any service records?'
You want a car that has been well maintained. That means that it should have gone back to the dealer or service station at specified service intervals. You also want to see the receipts for any new muffler, brakes, tires, or other "wear" parts that have been replaced. Repair-shop receipts normally note the car's odometer reading, verifying the car's history.

8) 'Why are you selling the car?'
Look for a plausible explanation rather than an interesting story. If the answer sounds evasive, be wary. If you're buying from a dealer, you probably won't be able to glean all that much information about the car's history because the dealer simply may not know it. Take with a grain of salt any tale about how the previous owner pampered the car. But you should still ask to see service records and other evidence that the car was maintained properly.