What Are Five Questions You Need to Ask Your Used Car Dealer?

Before you sign the dotted line and agree to purchase a used car in NJ or anywhere else, you should cover your bases. This includes asking a lot of questions to get an idea of what kind of car you're actually buying. If you're dealing with a reputable used car dealer in NJ, like 1800 Autoland, you should be able to get the answers you need to make an informed decision. But what questions should you ask? Here are five we think will help you get the car you want that is as reliable as it is affordable.

Can I take it for a test-drive? 

This should be a given, but you would be surprised how many buyers never actually drive the car before they buy it. While it might be love at first sight with a car, true love won't occur until you actually get behind the wheel. See how the car handles, how quickly it accelerates, and listen for anything that just doesn't sound right. If a dealer is reluctant to offer a long test-drive, there could be more than meets the eye.

Can I have the CarFax?

Although you can certainly buy a CarFax report yourself, most dealers in NJ will offer it for free to give potential customers a complete vehicle history. A CarFax report will not only list previous owners; it will also make note of any accidents as well as service records if they were done at the dealership. It will give an estimate of how much more or less the car is worth when compared to its Kelly Blue Book value.

Do You Have Any Service Records Available?

If the car was taken as part of a trade-in, the dealership might have service records available, detailing any work done on the car. The CarFax report will not necessarily have all service records, so this could be highly useful in determining how well the car was treated.

Can I See the Mechanic's Pre-certified Inspection?

Because a car must be inspected thoroughly before it can be certified, you can request paperwork detailing any problems that were found and what exactly was fixed.

Can I get a lower price paying cash/Do you take trade-ins?

If you can get your price tag by paying cash or trading in your current automobile to enjoy the added benefit of not having to sell it on your own, it's worth asking. 1800 Autoland accepts trade-ins and will offer top dollar for your car.