Questions to Ask a Car Dealer
If you are planning to buy a car and have already begun approaching car dealers in your town; hold on, for you must first understand that it is important to 'test-drive' the dealer before test-driving the car! Yes, you should know the questions you want to ask the car dealer, before you make any written agreement about the car purchase. The questions are intended to help you know about the car you plan to buy. They intend to confirm the authenticity of the dealer and the fairness of the deal before the car is yours.
What financing options are available?
Before you go about purchasing a car, you must make sure you have the finances ready. If you are going for a car loan, make sure that your monthly installments do not exceed your monthly income. Make sure you are looking out for cars, which fit into your budget. Analyze your finances, before you purchase the car. The dealer can help you know the different car financing options available and make you understand their pros and cons.
What is the condition of the car and what is its 'running'?
It is important to know the condition of the car before you go about purchasing it. You must know from the dealer, about the car problems faced by the previous car owner, if any. It is important to analyze the mechanical and functional state of the car that you plan to buy. See if the dealer is honest with you, about the condition of the car after taking a test drive. You must also hint about wanting to know the mileage of the car. Weigh it in terms of fuel efficiency and see if you find the deal economical. The miles indicated by the odometer of a car give a hint about the car's condition. The more number of miles a car has run, the more is the wear and tear of the car. The condition of the car is a testimony to whether the car has been used with care.
How old is the car and do you have all the vehicle documents?
It is essential for you to know the age of the car. Yes, even a car grows old with passing years and starts requiring frequent repairs to bring it back into a functional state. You do not want to pay big bucks for a very old car and make an unprofitable deal. So ask the dealer, the exact year the car was manufactured! When you purchase a car, it is extremely important for you to possess all the documents and service records of the car. Handover of the registration papers and car insurance documents is an important part of a car deal.
Was the car involved in an accident?
This question might seem difficult to ask, but is critical to the purchase of a used car. Vehicles that have met with accidents have a greater chance of requiring major repairs. Moreover, accidents might involve legal issues, which you may have to deal with after buying the car. Clear papers serve as a clean chit for you to finalize the deal.
How much do you ask for the car?
This is, I think, is a very basic and the most important question to ask the car dealer. You cannot go about purchasing a car, without analyzing its cost. Having analyzed your finances and the different financing options, you know your budget. You must also assess whether the price the dealer expects is worth the car you plan to buy. Some market research on your part will help you negotiate with the dealer and get the best deal!
