| Welcome back to part two of my article series. This | | | | has a standard or automatic transmission? Which |
| mini-used car buying guide is a compilation list of my | | | | would you like better? Generally, a standard 5 speed |
| most important questions to ask when buying a used | | | | transmission is the best choice, as it is less complex |
| car. | | | | and more fuel efficient. C'mon! Stick is more fun |
| To recap from part one, over the phone we want to | | | | anyway! |
| make clever inquiry to see if we can establish with | | | | Find out it they have service records. If they have no |
| some certainty that the seller is not a private car | | | | service records, it is a strong indication that the car has |
| dealer. Then we ask them questions to determine | | | | not been well maintained. By looking at the service |
| whether how long they have owned the car and if | | | | records, you can see the maintenance history, and any |
| they are the original owner. The final area covered in | | | | repairs. For example, a receipt for a new engine adds |
| part 1 was to pay close attention to the sense we get | | | | value to any car. When the time comes to sell your |
| from the seller's response to our asking about their | | | | car, this can be handy evidence to present someone |
| reasons for selling. If we are satisfied with the | | | | to backup your request for top dollar. |
| outcome of this initial round, it is time to get a bit more | | | | No list of tips on buying a second hand car can be |
| specific. | | | | complete if it doesn't include being sure that you ask |
| One of my top questions to ask about buying a used | | | | the seller if it has ever been in an accident. If their |
| car is whether it has a gas or diesel engine. This may | | | | answer is yes, ask them if it was a write off. If yes, |
| not be applicable unless you are looking for a diesel, as | | | | move on. There are lots of other cars to choose from. |
| the vast majority of cars only come with a gas motor. | | | | If their answer is no, find out how long ago the |
| However, if you are looking for incredible economy | | | | accident was, and what area of the car sustained |
| and bulletproof reliability, you will want to consider | | | | damage? You will want to look carefully at these |
| buying a car equipped with a diesel or even better, a | | | | areas when you go to see the car. |
| turbo diesel engine. VW Jettas and Golfs are and | | | | If the damage is recent, it may be difficult to tell how |
| were and still are built with both gas and diesel motors, | | | | well the repairs will hold up. If it was a long time ago |
| and those motors last a long, long time! | | | | and it still looks okay, that can be a good sign. If the |
| Ask them how many kilometers or miles are on the | | | | doors were affected, there is a good chance that |
| car? For a gas engine, anything much over 250,000 | | | | they don't close perfectly anymore, and may make |
| km or 150,000 miles is a bit too much, unless the car | | | | whistling sounds at highway speed. Very annoying on |
| has been meticulously maintained. In the case of a | | | | long journeys! |
| diesel engine, 300,000 km or 180,000 miles is just | | | | Okay, we are getting some good information from our |
| getting going. If it has been meticulously maintained, a | | | | seller! That's it for part 2. Stay tuned for part 3 where I |
| diesel can go for a million kilometers. | | | | will dive into the nitty-gritty of how to narrow down |
| Determine whether your potential future companion | | | | your search for the perfect used car. |