Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Car

Couple sitting at sales desk at dealership

Shopping for a used car for sale near San Jose can be a daunting task since there are many things that can affect the quality of a used vehicle. If you’re unsure about what questions to ask when buying a used car, then let the finance center at Capitol Acura show you what to keep an eye out for on your car-shopping journey. Once you know what questions you should ask when buying a used car, visit our dealership to find the perfect used model for you at the right price. 

What Should You Ask When Buying a Used Car? 

Since they were previously owned, used cars should be considered with a little more thought than new vehicles. That’s why it’s important to know what kinds of things to consider and questions to ask before purchasing a used car. What questions should you ask when buying a used car? 

Here are some important things that we think are worth considering when shopping for a car for your Santa Clara commute: 

  • Prior Maintenance: This is one of the most important things to ask about when used-car buying. Ask to see the maintenance history of the vehicle, since this will tell you if the vehicle was regularly serviced or if it was in any accidents. This will also tell you how likely the car is to need maintenance and service in the future.
  • Current Mileage: Consider a vehicle’s mileage vs. its age. Most drivers put roughly 12,000 miles on their car a year, so if a vehicle is five years old and has 90,000 miles, then it’s been driven more excessively than normal. However, 10-year-old vehicle with 90,000 miles on it hasn’t been driven that much and will probably last longer than the five-year-old vehicle. 
  • Previous Ownership: Check to see how long the previous driver owned the vehicle that you have in mind to buy. If the vehicle is seven years old, but the previous owner only had it for a year or less, then it’s worth considering why they didn’t have it for very long. 
  • Pricing: Before you settle on the final price of the vehicle, ask yourself how it arrived at that price to determine if it’s a fair price. Cut down on research and value the trade of the vehicle at Capitol Acura.
  • Potential Lifespan: Mileage, age, maintenance, and other factors will determine this, but consider how long the vehicle you’re considering will last you. If well maintained, used vehicles can last well over 100,000 miles and even beyond 200,000 miles. 

So, you know what questions to ask when buying a used car, so now what? The next step is to make the drive to our dealership from Milpitas and find your next pre-owned vehicle. 

Pick a Used Car at Capitol Acura

So, what questions should you ask when buying a used car? Contact Capitol Acura to find a great selection of pre-owned vehicles that are competitively priced and inspected for quality, so the only question you’ll need to ask is when you can take a test drive. 

 

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