Congratulations! You’ve decided to give your Littleton, Parker, and Castle Rock, CO, travels an upgrade by purchasing a used car. However, before you can get behind the wheel, there are a few questions you’ll need to ask.
We at McDonald Hyundai have created a list of 10 questions to ask when buying a used car to make this exciting process as simple as possible. Keep reading to learn more!
Before anything else, you need to find out how much you can afford on your used car purchase. Experts recommend factoring in no more than 15 to 20% of your monthly income toward the upkeep of your car.
Since this number includes general maintenance and gas, a good rule of thumb to follow is spending no more than 10% of your monthly take-home income on car payments.
When searching for used cars, you’ll likely stumble onto a section of used cars that’s labeled as certified pre-owned. These vehicles are the middle ground between new and used cars and often come with additional perks. Deciding if you want to buy a used car or a certified pre-owned car is the next question to ask.
Learning more about the car’s past is important when buying a used car. By asking what the car was used for, you’ll have a better idea of if it was out and about a lot—as a delivery or drive share car—or if it was used for running errands and getting to work.
Since the odometer reading alone can’t indicate how healthy a car is, you need to learn more about the car’s service history. Asking about routine services and part repairs is crucial to learn more about the used car.
Asking for a CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™ makes learning about a used car’s past fast and easy. This report includes information about the number of drivers, any recorded service history, accident history, and much more.
Chances are that you wouldn’t buy a house without touring it. Why buy a car without test driving it? Take it for a spin on a series of roads, especially residential and highway streets. This way, you can see how well it accelerates, brakes, and handles.
Depending on the model year of the used car, some of the car’s original warranty may still be active. In that case, transferring this warranty to your name is a possibility. You can also ask if the dealership offers any used car or extended warranties.
Now that you know the 10 questions to ask when buying a used car, you’re prepared to start your search for a used car. Head over to our McDonald Hyundai showroom or browse online from the comfort of your own home.
Either way, you’ll be cruising in and around Littleton, Parker, and Castle Rock, Colorado, in no time. Shop for your dream used car today!
