subject: Top Questions To Ask Car Dealerships [print this page] There are many advantages to purchasing a used car from car dealerships instead of private buyers, not least because a dealership can ensure a higher level of after sales after care on the car. With a private purchase, the car cannot be returned should you discover a major fault just days after getting it home. It is always a good idea to speak to the car dealerships at length about the car to find out as much information as possible as this will give a good idea of what is being purchased.
Asking the right questions is key to finding out the right information; some people are not always forthcoming with information about certain aspects of the cars history until directly asked. The first question that should be asked is: what's the possibility of examining the sheet from the mechanics inspectionn and the service history log book? This should give you a good indication of what work the car has had done, and what parts have been recently replaced. The less information that is available the harder it is to determine the state of the vehicle. However, a lack of service history does not mean that the car definitely has not been well cared for, as the previous owner could have misplaced the service record.
Another question that can be asked is; who was the previous owner of the car? Finding out a little information on the previous owner, if possible, can be helpful in determining how it has been cared for. Without meaning to sound stereotypical, one elderly previous owner of a car can often be a good sign as the vehicle is likely to have been driven with care. Another question that should be asked is: what is the possibility of taking the car on an extended test-drive? The longer the car can be taken out the better, as the drive will give the buyer a chance to get a proper feel for the car and locate any potential problems. A mileage limit will need to be agreed and ensuring that the appropriate insurance coverage is in place a test drive should not be refused. Reluctance to allow a full test drive could be a bad indicator, although not always, as some car dealerships are concerned about security issues.
