Buying a used car is not an easy job at all. When you find a dream car you are interested in, being sold by a private seller, the first and foremost work is to call the seller over phone. There are some basic questions, which need to be cleared before visiting. Used cars may sometimes have problems and can be more expensive than a new one. There is a belief that people get good second hand cars in Mumbai because it is one of the biggest metros in India.

It is important to ask lot of questions to the seller before purchasing the car from him. So, here are some of the questions that we should ask:

Can I Know the Features Available in the Car?

First start with soft questions such as car’s color, model and then ask about its condition and features.

How Many Miles Has the Car Run For?

Confirm how many miles has it been driven for. On an average, it should have run up to 20,000 Km per year and if the car is more than 5 years of age then it should be around 1,20,000 Km. If the figure shows more than that, cash deduction should be done for high mileage.

What Is the Reason for Selling?

This is one of the important questions to be asked when buying a used car from a private seller. The answer varies from sellers to sellers. May be he is shifting abroad, perhaps he bought a new model with more features or he may be planning to switch to a SUV or anything else. Sometimes, private sellers don’t find it easy to answer to this question or they simply lie to you. So, be smart enough to understand the answer and figure out the truth.

May I Know the Vehicle’s History?

Ownership history is to be checked before committing. Check if the car is first hand or not and how the car been during the ownership. Has it ever been through any accident or any major issues?

Can I Take a Test Drive?

Ask about the body and interior of the car and then seek permission for a test drive. If the owner is genuine, he will always say yes. In case he says no, then it is a clear indication to end the topic. Always go for long drive on a highway to get a clear picture of driving condition at high speed.

Finally, don’t forget to get the car inspected by a reliable mechanic before finalizing the deal.