Questions To Ask When Buying a Used Car

1. How Many Miles Are on the Car?

Yes, mileage matters. Cars these days are engineered to last well past 100,000 miles and often double that, so don’t let relatively high numbers scare you away. What was once the end of a car’s life is now barely the break-in point!

Here’s where that number becomes important: mileage per year. On average, people put just over 13,000 miles on their cars each year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

You should consider the year of the car and the mileage together. You may not want a car that:

• Has sat around undriven for too long. Some parts may have begun to deteriorate.
• Has been driven excessively. Too much driving per year may mean more maintenance for you.

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2. Is There a Vehicle History Report?



You can learn so much about a car from its vehicle history report. Reputable sellers of vehicle history reports include CARFAX® and AutoCheck®, though you may find more limited data for free from other sources.

If you’re considering a certified pre-owned (CPO) car, you can likely get a vehicle history report from the dealership for free. This document will tell you all you need to know about a vehicle’s past. You’ll have a clearer idea of the vehicle’s condition with data about:

• Accidents. Serious (and sometimes minor) accidents are reported to insurance companies and will probably be listed on the vehicle history report.
• Maintenance Records. If the vehicle was serviced at an authorized car dealership rather than an independent garage, you can see the service history. 
• Number of Owners. You’ll know for sure how many times the car changed hands—and how much it was driven (mileage) by each owner or leaser.

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3. Is the Car Under Warranty?



Some used cars will still be under manufacturer warranty if they’re still early in their life. Simply ask a member of the sales team at the dealership, and they can tell you. You can also check any brand’s new car warranty policy and do the math yourself.

Certified pre-owned vehicles are generally sold with extended warranties, so you’ll want to check the terms of these if applicable.

When you purchase any used car, you will likely have a chance to purchase a warranty or other protection plan, too. Consider the terms of these warranties and determine whether they make sense for you—and don’t automatically disqualify a car just because it isn’t under warranty.

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Shop Used Cars for Sale at Brown-Daub Kia Today

Buying a used car is always an adventure. We hope all these questions help Easton, Allentown, and Quakertown, PA, shoppers get started on their journeys.

You can browse our used inventory for sale online. If you want to learn more or set up a test drive, reach out to the automotive experts at Brown-Daub Kia!

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