Questions to ask before buying a used car

The strongest position you can hold on a dealership lot is not a hard bargaining stance. It is a list of specific questions and the patience to wait for specific answers. Vague answers are information too. Here is what is worth asking, grouped by what each set actually protects you from.

About the vehicle itself

1. Where did this vehicle come from: a trade in, an auction, a lease return, a fleet?
2. Does the history report show any reported accidents or insurance claims?
3. What work has been done since it arrived, and can I see the reconditioning notes?
4. Are there any open recalls on this VIN?
5. How many keys and remotes come with it?
6. Is the title clean, or is it branded salvage, rebuilt, or flood?

About the money

Payment shopping is where most people lose the thread. A comfortable monthly number can hide a long term and a high total cost, so ask about the whole deal:

1. What is the out the door price including tax, title, and every fee?
2. How much down payment is required for this specific vehicle?
3. Are payments weekly, biweekly, or monthly, and what is the due date?
4. What is the total amount I will have paid by the end of the term?
5. Is there any penalty for paying the loan off early?
6. What is the late payment policy, and what does a late fee cost?
7. Are my payments reported to a credit bureau, and which one?

About what happens after you drive away

1. What warranty comes with this vehicle, what does it cover, and what is the deductible?
2. Who performs warranty repairs, and is there a service department on site?
3. What happens if something fails in the first 30 days?
4. Can I have my routine maintenance done here, and do you offer service specials?

The ones people forget

1. Can I take it to my own mechanic for an inspection?
2. Can I see it and start it cold rather than after it has been running?
3. Does the price change if I pay cash instead of financing?
4. What is not included that I might assume is, such as a second key or floor mats?

What to do with the answers

Write them down while you are there. Ask the same question twice at different points in the visit and see whether the answer holds. A dealership that answers plainly, puts numbers on paper, and does not get impatient with the list is telling you something useful about how the rest of the loan will go.

At The Big Lot Car Credit we would rather spend twenty minutes answering questions than have you sign something you do not understand. Call (816) 241-5100, reach out to us, or read what other Kansas City buyers have said about working with us.