7 Key Questions To Ask A Dealer Before Buying

So, you've been searching through used vehicles for a while, scouring all over, and finally come across one that you love and just have to buy before someone else swipes it from your hands and the future that you've already begun to daydream about with it.

Before you buy that used car and buyer's excitement and impulsivity takes over, remember that you are looking at a car that isn't fresh off the factory floor and does have some history before it showed up on the dealer's lot where you're viewing it. Just as with a new car, where you should do ample research before making your purchase, there are quite a few aspects you should be clear about before making any final decision that may end up costing you time, effort and money not too far down the line. Consider it a buyer's confidence checklist, if you will. Here are a few of the questions you should ask the dealer or salesperson before you sign the papers and take ownership of that used car.

What Is The History Of The Car?
Any used car has a history, and you deserve to know as much as possible about it, to be clear on what responsibility or potential risk you're taking over. Ask the dealer for any information they may have on the previous owner of the vehicle and if it had been in any accidents or required any major repairs. Service history, location of where the vehicle was stored (undercover or out in the street, as this can affect the quality of the bodywork and parts) as well as how many previous owners it has had will also give you a better idea of how much the car may have gone through until this current point in time.

Are There Any Features Or Functions That Don't Work?
As is typical with used vehicles, there will be a bit of wear and tear, as well as the occasional small feature that may no longer work but didn't warrant repairs or issues that weren't covered during a service. The dealership inspects any car very thoroughly before they accept to buy it from an owner, so the salesperson should be able to tell you if there are aspects you should be aware of upfront.

Is There A Warranty On The Car?
If the car is still reasonably new - up to about 3 years - it might still have an original warrantee period remaining. This also applies to a service plan period, so ask your dealer if either of these are still applicable to the vehicle. If not, one reassuring benefit you'll have when buying from a dealership is that you'll have peace of mind in knowing you can return your car within the first 30 days to 6 months, as stipulated by the Consumer Protection Act.

Does The Car Have A Roadworthiness Certificate?
There are several required documents that need to be present when a car is sold. Typically dealerships take cars for a full inspection and roadworthiness testing to ensure that they're selling a safe and legally viable vehicle. Be sure to ask your dealer for the certificate as proof that the car has, in fact, been checked over.

Does The Car Have Any Extra Features?
You may just find that the previous owner added upgrades to the vehicle or requested premium specifications upon purchase, so ask your dealer if there are any extras you may not have been aware of.

Would You Be Confident To Drive This Car Across The Country?
Dealers tend to display a great deal of confidence in the cars they're selling and constantly reassure potential buyers of the excellent condition of the vehicle, but asking them a question like this will reveal a great deal as you'll be catching them off guard. If they suddenly don't show as much confidence, be aware of the possibility that they may know more about the car than they're willing to let on.

What Are The Service Costs And Resale Value Of This Car?
While some dealers don't know offhand what another brand's parts and services may cost, a dealer that is well-versed in a variety of models or one that specialises in the brand you're looking at should be able to tell you what you can expect to spend on the vehicle in coming years. Secondary to that, find out how rapidly the car depreciates and what the resale value looks like with each passing year. This will give you a fairly confident idea of what a future with this car will hold.

Whatever car you're interested in and whatever your budget range, our vast selection of used cars at Motus Select are constantly being updated, and our friendly sales team are always on hand to assist you with getting your dream car, whether it is a new one or a used car in Johannesburg.