5 Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Car

If you’ve decided that a pre-owned vehicle is a good fit for your Mesa lifestyle, it’s important that you understand that not all used options are created equal. One pre-owned vehicle might be a smarter choice than the other, so it’s important that you know what questions to ask when buying a used car. Fortunately, we’ve got your back at Cactus Jack's Auto with our car-buying tips. Today, we’re going to go over what to ask when buying a used car so that you can be fully prepared before making a final car-buying decision.

Questions to Ask About a Used Car

Whether you’re interested in a used seven-passenger SUV or prefer something sporty to carve the Surprise backroads on the weekends, we’re more than happy to offer you a high-quality selection of pre-owned vehicles. But, before making a final decision, we suggest you understand what questions to ask when buying a used car. Not only will this help you get a better understanding of the vehicle you’re purchasing, but it also helps you protect your investment. With that being said, here are the top 5 questions to ask about a used car:

Why Was It Traded?

Let’s say you’re coming across a used vehicle that’s only a couple of years old with extremely low mileage, it’s a good idea to inquire about why it was traded in. While it could be that it was just traded in for a newer upgrade, there could be other factors that prompted its original owner to trade it in. A pre-owned vehicle with lower-than-average mileage doesn’t always make it a good choice. Keep this in mind during your search.

Did the Owner Purchase and Trade in at the Same Dealership?

When you’re wondering what to ask when buying a used car, take note of where the vehicle was purchased and traded in. Determining this will help you get a better understanding of the dealership that you’re working with. Vehicles that are purchased and traded at the same dealership show that the owners trust the dealer you’re working with. Here at our dealership, we love getting vehicles from repeat customers in the Glendale area and beyond.

Why Hasn’t It Sold Yet?

If you notice a popular and seemingly good choice has been sitting on the dealership lot for a while, here’s a question to ask about that used car: “Why hasn’t it been sold yet?” Asking this question could help uncover any serious issues. Keep in mind though that it’s also possible that the vehicle is just in an unpopular color choice or has minor cosmetic damage. But, you won’t know until you ask.

Can I Get a Vehicle History Report?

It doesn’t matter if you’re buying from a dealership in Phoenix or elsewhere, it’s important that you ask to see a vehicle history report. Whether it’s a CarFax® report or a vehicle history report from another popular provider, having a history report can detail a lot of information about the vehicle’s past. Just be aware that incidents may sometimes take up to six months to show up on a vehicle history report.

What Is the Title’s Condition?

Finally, we recommend you purchase a vehicle from a dealership vs. a private party. In lemon law states, owners are required to act as dealers but rarely do. This law requires dealers to buy back lemons if the owner experiences unexpected mechanical problems that are beyond reasonable repair. In all private transactions, the title must show the person selling the vehicle as its owner.

So, now sure what to ask when buying a used car in regards to title condition? Make sure that it’s a clean title, if it says “Salvage” or anything else, make sure you do your research, and understand what you’re getting into with a vehicle title not marked as “Clean.”

Ask Us About Our Used Cars at Cactus Jack's Auto!

Now that you know what questions to ask when buying a used car, are you ready for the next steps? If so, the knowledgeable staff at Cactus Jack's Autor is happy to answer questions about all of our quality used cars or anything else you may need assistance with. We can help no matter your credit history, and our buy here pay here financing gets you in a car on the spot. Whether you need financing with repossession or you have no credit at all, we’ve got you covered. To learn more about buy-here pay-here financing, feel free to reach out to us.