Nick's Tips . NET – Advice for Entrepreneurs

Question to ask when buying a used car…

Posted by Nick on August 11, 2009 at 20:32 pm

Let’s talk about questions you can ask a seller when you are buying a used car. This will help you.

Recently I was looking for a car. Wanted to pay all cash for it, therefore I was looking for something reasonably priced.

Searching for about two weeks, I saw everything from honest guys, older folks, high school students trying to sell their ’supped up’ ride, young moms, and a bunch of hypers and liars, and anything else in between.

I went to some dealers as well, but because of the economy the price of the new cars has gone down, which means that the dealerships have mostly high jacked the price of their old cars in order to make up for the lost profits… makes sense. But I just didn’t want to participate in that game. So I focused my energies in finding a car from a private owner.

At first I went with it. I looked a car, asked some questions, and drove to their place. Most of these guys were around 20-30 minutes from my place. Now that is fine with me, and I don’t think it is too far. But when you have to see 4-5 cars a day, that adds up to a few hours a day. Lost time.

And most of the cars I was looking at were junk… it was their fault for lying to me on the phone, saying the car drove great when it leaked oil in ten different spots, but it was also my fault – or naivite – that didn’t do more ‘homework’ in finding out more about the car before going to see it.

So, after a few days of this happening, I turned into the manly “hey, I am a straight shooter, so let’s be honest here” talk… that worked, and most people were honest.

But that wasn’t enough either… why? Because I didn’t ask the right questions, the seller either didn’t want to tell about the flaws until they had me looking at the car, or they simply didn’t think of mentioning them.

So the third stage of my ‘car shopping development’ was to get smart.

I developed these questions that worked like charm. As soon as I asked these questions, I bought the first car I went to see.

Why? Because I had enough information about the car to make an educated decision if I wanted to see the car or not. I didn’t waste time with the ones that didn’t convince me.

So here are my questions that I developed to ask someone who is selling a used car. They work!

Questions to ask a seller when buying a used car (on the phone):

• How long have you had the car for?
• Why are you selling your car?
• Do you have the title handy?
• Are there any oil leaks (transmission, engine or other)?
• Are there any sounds/ rattles?
• How is the paint?
• How are the seats inside? (scratches, cracks, burns)
• How is the roof/top of the car?
• How much life on the breaks?
• How much life on the tires?
• Any wetness under the hood /under the car?
• Are all four wheels the same?
• Are you a smoker or non-smoker?
• What has been the main investment you have done on the car?
• When was the last time you took it to the mechanic?
• Has the timing belt been changed?
• How open are you to negotiate on the price?
• Where would you say the car needs some improvements or servicing?
• If you could keep the car, and had $500/$1000 to invest in it, what would you improve on the car? (this unique and almost “under-the-radar” question will tell you a lot about the car… if you listen carefully)
• How many miles?
• Are these actual miles? (Be Careful! digital odometers are a little harder to mess with, but the one in the older analog cars can be easily changed)
• How many owners has the car had?
• Power windows, doors, seats? Do they work?
• How is the AC and hot air?
• Where and when can we meet to take a look at the car?

I’m sure you can come up with other questions to ask a seller over the phone when buying a car as well. Don’t hesitate to ask. It will save you time and money.