What questions to ask when buying a used car from someone unknown?

[pes2013]

Hello

Im looking to buy a used car but what questions should I ask?

I know the year, kms, type of fuel, etc.........but is there anything I should ask in particular?

[Marshall Veteran]

If they're willing to let you get the vehicle inspected independently.

Has it ever been wrecked. (CarFax report, if available in your area)

Can you test drive it.

Where was the vehicle bought from.

Vehicle maintenance records.

[pes2013]

If they're willing to let you get the vehicle inspected independently.

Has it ever been wrecked. (CarFax report, if available in your area)

Can you test drive it.

Where was the vehicle bought from.

Vehicle maintenance records.

Nope, Europe only.

[pes2013]

And Im not too sure about how many kms it should have.

Im looking for a 2000+ year car, 4 door, between 1000 euros and 2000 euros.

How much should that more or less have in kms?

[Colin McGregor]

And Im not too sure about how many kms it should have.

Im looking for a 2000+ year car, 4 door, between 1000 euros and 2000 euros.

How much should that more or less have in kms?

Depends on how many you feel is right. I bought a 91 grand am last yr and it only has 72,410 kms lol

[pes2013]

Depends on how many you feel is right. I bought a 91 grand am last yr and it only has 72,410 kms lol

That's probably modified to look like it has less KM than it actually does.....

I think its has 120000 km

[firey]

does it work?

[xendrome]

Nope, Europe only.

So in Europe you can't test drive it, ask if it has ever been wrecked, get it inspected, ask where it was bought from or to look at maintenance records? Interesting....

[Lingwo]

You can do all those things.

Best things you can do, is look up the car online and look into what common faults it can have and check what might need replacing after so long.

This will give you a good indication at what to look at on the car when you look at it. Other than just checking the car and all the seals for no rust.

In the UK you can get a HPI check, which is invaluable when buying a used car, it will tell you things the owner might not want you to know. As in if its been a write off.

Ideally you want someone like a mechanic to come with you to check everything, but the owner may let you take it to a garage to get it checked out. Also test drive it and listen to the engine for no unusual rattles

or funny noises. Check the brakes, clutch, steering(simple things like tracking). If they won't let you test drive it. Walk away.

Mileage, it depends on the car really. They have different engines and some you can get away with a high mileage. Again, research the car before going to look at it.

I will mention it again, research the car. There are hundreds of websites which give you the type of information, you want to know.

[123456789A]

Ask if it's stolen.

[pes2013]

So in Europe you can't test drive it, ask if it has ever been wrecked, get it inspected, ask where it was bought from or to look at maintenance records? Interesting....

Sorry I ment what you said about "Has it ever been wrecked. (CarFax report, if available in your area)". That I cant do. The rest of course.

Please, no joke replies :)

[pes2013]

There are hundreds of websites which give you the type of information, you want to know.

Could you tell me a few of those hundreds? Ive been looking around but cant find any decent forum.

[what]

Could you tell me a few of those hundreds? Ive been looking around but cant find any decent forum.

Whatever car you're after, there will be an owners club forum for it. On there will be buying guides or other threads where people have asked what to look out for.

[Draconian Guppy]

Test drive and:

1. Ask if you can moderately speed it. When doing so, try using the AC cranked up. Do this for at least 20 mins, just a simple test to see how the car performs in extreme situations and shouldn't over heat.

2. Check paint job for different colors and ask way.

3. Lights in dashboard ( obvious ones...).

4. A good indicator of a good owner is all 4 tires must be matching AND usually same wear.

[Billus]

Lots of good tips here. Also check if the engine bay is clean and free of debris and oil. Millage wise, nothing in excess of 200,000km in my opinion. Perferable between or less than 100 - 180,000km. Around 150,000km is what you most likely will get with a car from 2000.

[pes2013]

Test drive and:

1. Ask if you can moderately speed it. When doing so, try using the AC cranked up. Do this for at least 20 mins, just a simple test to see how the car performs in extreme situations and shouldn't over heat.

This is actually the greatest Ive read :) Thank youu

2. Check paint job for different colors and ask way.

3. Lights in dashboard ( obvious ones...).

4. A good indicator of a good owner is all 4 tires must be matching AND usually same wear.

Thank you. Number 4 is pretty good too :)

Im going to make a thread about the type of car I like; maybe you guys know more models than I do :)

[Draconian Guppy]

This is actually the greatest Ive read :) Thank youu

Thank you. Number 4 is pretty good too :)

Im going to make a thread about the type of car I like; maybe you guys know more models than I do :)

Adding to #1.

If whilst speeding try and "feel" any odd vibration, then the same when braking ( barely just noticeable vibrations are caused by ABS). If the steering wheel vibrates badly when breaking, then discs/drums (brakes) need to be replaced/rectified.

[pes2013]

Adding to #1. If whilst speeding try and "feel" any odd vibration, then the same when braking ( barely just noticeable vibrations are caused by ABS). If the steering wheel vibrates badly when breaking, then discs/drums (brakes) need to be replaced/rectified.

Well I cant obviously "abuse" the car so much as the seller will problably get ****ed if at the end I don't buy it.

[Compuspital]

Here's what I'd do...

1. Ask to take for a test drive

2. Take the car to an authorized mechanic.

3. Yourself, open and shut the doors to the car and make sure there are no gaps. If the door has looked like it has been slammed I would not buy it simply because the Weather stripping, will prematurely wear out and going over water puddles might give you a shower.

4. When you arrive at the Mechanic, ask them to inspect the Engine Oil Drain Plug, and Oil Filter fittings. Make sure no leaks, As well as Differential, Transmission, Transfer Case etc.

5. Check the Engine oil level away from the dealer. make sure they're no Metal Shavings or anything else in the oil.

6. Ask for a CarFax history report.

7. Check the quality of the Tires. if you put a Penny upside down in the tread, with Lincoln's face facing you and if you see his hairline, the vehicle needs new tires.

8. Make sure the Alignment is not bad.

(All these things I have had to learn over time, hopefully they'll help you in your quest for a perfect car.) My parents spent 500.00 on a used car for me when I got my first car, come to find out not even 2 weeks of driving it, the car sustained a severe Mechanical Malfunction, Ate a Rod) All these things are subject to help figure into expenses with any car. Tires, Batteries, Oil and other Maintenance that could hinder your safety or others while ownership. Please look into some of these things.

Reguards,

[pes2013]

Here's what I'd do...

1. Ask to take for a test drive

This I will do no doubt

2. Take the car to an authorized mechanic.

See 1

3. Yourself, open and shut the doors to the car and make sure there are no gaps. If the door has looked like it has been slammed I would not buy it simply because the Weather stripping, will prematurely wear out and going over water puddles might give you a shower.

This is difficult to do; Imagine if it is a windy day or paranoid kicks in. This is hard to measure but will try as well.

4. When you arrive at the Mechanic, ask them to inspect the Engine Oil Drain Plug, and Oil Filter fittings. Make sure no leaks, As well as Differential, Transmission, Transfer Case etc.

See 1

5. Check the Engine oil level away from the dealer. make sure they're no Metal Shavings or anything else in the oil.

Obviously if it is a dealer and/or mechanic I should trust him

6. Ask for a CarFax history report.

Not available for me.

7. Check the quality of the Tires. if you put a Penny upside down in the tread, with Lincoln's face facing you and if you see his hairline, the vehicle needs new tires.

Protip but Im not in the US.

8. Make sure the Alignment is not bad.

Difficult to measure. Ill have to take the mechanic's word for it.

(All these things I have had to learn over time, hopefully they'll help you in your quest for a perfect car.) My parents spent 500.00 on a used car for me when I got my first car, come to find out not even 2 weeks of driving it, the car sustained a severe Mechanical Malfunction, Ate a Rod) All these things are subject to help figure into expenses with any car. Tires, Batteries, Oil and other Maintenance that could hinder your safety or others while ownership. Please look into some of these things.

500 on a used car IMO is asking for trouble. Personal opinion :) Im looking to buy 1000 or upwards (limit would be 4000)

[danielciffee]

Lot of questions you need to ask. Recently i bought Honda Civic with reference to the United Car Exchange. Go and search you will find so many used cars with reasonable prices.

[NewGuy123]

Hello

Im looking to buy a used car but what questions should I ask?

I know the year, kms, type of fuel, etc.........but is there anything I should ask in particular?

is there anything rebuilt.

Is it an Automatic Transmission ?

Look at the oil and check the color of it, if the owner change it at 7000-8000 kms it is a good sign of negligence.

Look under the car, check for rust.

If it's a manual transmission, try EVERY gear ( 1,2,3,4,5 and R ).

Go faster than 100 km/h and listen for noise.

Steer hard on 2-3 corner and listen to noise or anything weird.

Try the handbrake.

Smell the transmission oil, if you smeel a "burned" odor don't buy it, you might end up in garage for a rebuild.

Check the exhaust line, you'll see if it was "fixed". Exhaust temporary fix will not last long.

I think that is it , good luck.

[ZeroFearX]

While I doubt you would be affected by this, always check if the car is off-lease. You don't want to buy a car if it is owned by the bank cause they can seize it if the previous owner did not complete all the payments. :)