Questions to ask when buying used cars

Ask seller if it in their name and do you have the title with you and can I see it (make sure the name matches what they said their name is and if anyone is with them see if they call seller by another name) and is it clear of all liens? Has it been wrecked, repainted where is any damage, any glass ever broken? has all recalls be addressed? Has it ever been off road, raced? What does not work? Is there any issues with it? Why are you selling? What is your contact information? Is the address on title currently your physical address? Miles? Year? Model? Options? Are All repair and service records Here? How old are the tires, battery, Hoses, belts have all servicing been done on time per the manual and by whom? Can I drive It? Has it ever been stolen, can I run the vin number, do a car-fax and look up title history and call the police station to verify this? Can my mechanic look over it? Are there any warranties, under any lemon clause, bring back refund no questions ask? Will you meet be in a public place at my bank? When was the last time the brakes were changed? Can you check the oil (if black leave)? Can you put it on a lift? Has the exhaust been replaced? Who was the previous owner? If oil, transmission fluid is burned or dirty don not buy. Do not be pressured? If selleris acting funny or weird or shifty shaky or aggressive or rude or mean leave. If the seller has not information or willing to give you information about it says I know nothing about it leave. Check all lights and every item working or not. If seller says you have meet by a certain time or i will not be here or I am going to leave by suc and such or I have someone else coming to see it or I have an offer of $$ for it and can not come down or if they want to have you do something for them, take them somewhere ect. LEAVE. Do not hand them any money before you have checked out the title and that it is not already signed on the back it could be wrong or someone else's name, filled out in wrong place wrong date ect. Have a hand written bill of sale from seller too, if your state does not require it then keep for your records and to have while you wait to register in you name. If seller is talking unclearly or too low or too fast this is a sign that they are intentionally being dishonest. watch if seller watching you too close and/or looking around else where too much. Your car is not for sale so do not let them take it for a ride or look at it as if it were. Do not give them your keys or leave anyone with them that can not take care of themselves while you take their car for a test drive or any money to do so. You are not obligated to buy. Do not tell them where you live. Do not give them personal information. Of course dealers will need some of this recommendations here altered so understand this and apply it where needed. Remember also if at dealer, they want to sell you the least wanted car on the lot that they choose for you which is the one they want gone for whatever reason first and foremost. Choose the one you like. Get a full tank of gas and floor mats and a cleaning & free oil changes & maintenance. Ask the dealer to give you some time with your self or family to go over the details before making a final decision even if this means leaving and coming back another day, your priorities may change.

How many owners?Any accidents?Will you take less?

Maintance records first.If the owner took good care of if.No records move on to the next

Maintenance records are great but many customers do not pass those along to the dealer they trade it in to. A pre-purchase inspection will generally tell how well a car has been maintained. Having an independent pre-purchase inspection done is the most important thing you can do. If you are looking for a newer used car and the manufacturer offers a certified pre-owned program then that can substitute for an independent inspection. Keep in mind though that you can only get a CPO car from a dealer that sells that make of cars new. For example a BMW Certified Pre-Owned can only be purchased at a BMW dealer. Some dealers offer their own internal CPO program but those are only as good as the honesty of the dealer selling the car. Spend the money on a CarFax or AutoCheck if the dealer doesn't offer those. While that information is helpful I see errors all the time on both reports. Use them as one piece of information to help you with your purchase but don't base your decision solely on them.

Why didn't you just respond to your other question (with this question) Nere?