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7 Questions to ask when Buying a Car

Everybody loves that new car smell, but is it worth paying thousands for? Buying a used rather than new car can be a smart move, saving you as much as 30 percent off the sticker price. But once you’ve decided to forgo the odor of fresh carpet, paint and engine oil, you need to make sure nothing smells fishy about the used car you’re considering. Ask these seven questions first, then buy a can of new car scent online for $13.99.

1. What’s the VIN?

With a car’s vehicle identification number, or VIN, you can order up a vehicle history report from a number of companies, including CARFAX.com. You can find out if there’s anything really rotten about the car: if the odometer has been rolled back, or if it has a “salvage title” as a result of being reported as a total loss by an insurance company, for example. The report will also show how many previous owners the car has had.

2. What’s the maintenance history?

Ask the current owner to show you records of oil changes, routine maintenance and mechanical work that might reveal a whiff of a problem.

3. Why are you selling this car?

Rely not just on the seller’s honesty but on your own instincts with this one. If the current owner can’t give you a plausible explanation, that can be a sign that he may be trying to pass off a lemon. If you smell a rat, move on.

4. Is it still under warranty?

Just as when you’re shopping for a fresh jug of milk, you’ll want to pick the car that has the most time left before the expiration date - on the warranty, that is. If the warranty won’t transfer, or if it’s already expired, consider asking the seller to cut the price by what it would cost to purchase an extended warranty. Then you can decide whether to buy the extended warranty or bank the money for possible repairs.

5. Can I test drive it?

Of course, it would reek of a scam if the owner were at all reluctant to let you take it for a spin. Pay attention to how the car performs on hills, highways and in stop-and-go traffic.

6. Can I take it to a mechanic?

Typically for less than $100, you can get an expert to sniff out any less-than-obvious problems. Find a mechanic who specializes in this kind of inspection by checking in the phone book under “automotive diagnostic service.”

7. What’s your best price?

Once you’ve decided that the car passes the smell test, it’s time to negotiate a deal. Do your research first, then be prepared to walk away if you know the seller’s lowest offer is too high.