What to Ask When Buying a Pre-Owned Car

Learning how to find the perfect pre-owned or certified pre-owned vehicle is an important part of the car buying process. Mercedes-Benz of Bloomfield Hills has put together this guide for car-buyers to make the most out of their car buying experience. We’ll go over what to ask when buying a pre-owned car, what to look for when comparing pre-owned cars, and other tips and tricks. If you are curious about any of the pre-owned vehicles in our inventory in Bloomfield Hills, contact us today to schedule a test drive!

Purchasing a Pre-owned Vehicle at Mercedes-Benz of Bloomfield Hills

Pre-owned cars can provide the technology and comfort of newer vehicles, but at a much better price. When you are looking for your next West Bloomfield vehicle, be sure to explore all of the options available. Below, we’ve detailed our top tips for getting the best offer in the Southfield area:

• Proper Budgeting: Don’t just think about your monthly car payment, but also the costs to own. Some of the factors to consider include future repairs, new tires, routine maintenance, insurance, and yearly registration. Ideally, a monthly payment shouldn’t exceed 10% of your monthly income. Our payment calculator can help you get a better idea of monthly costs.
• Finding the Right Car: When finding the right pre-owned car for you, it should fit your budget and have a solid vehicle history report. You should also consider mileage—how many miles does it have now, and how many miles do you hope to get out of it? Keep in mind that the average driver drives 12,000 miles per year. You can compile a list of cars you’re interested in and compare that to what’s offered at the dealership. Explore reliability reviews from sites like Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book, and compare recent selling prices for the vehicle in your area.
• Test Drives & Inspections: Finding the right pre-owned car to match your style can be difficult. Take the time to thoroughly inspect the vehicle yourself, and have it professionally inspected by a trusted mechanic. Test driving the vehicle on Birmingham roads can help you get a sense of the performance as well.
• Pre-owned Car Financing & Other Fees: Explore your loan and lease options, and consider other fees and credits like state sales tax, registration fees, and the trade-in value of your previous vehicle. When completing the deal you’ll also want to make sure you’re covered with any applicable warranties and car insurance plans.

What to Ask When Buying a Pre-owned Car

Shopping for a pre-owned car can have a lot of variety. It’s important that you know what to look for and make sure you’re not signing up for costly repairs in the future. Here are some tips for what to ask about when buying a pre-owned car:

• Is there anything that would stop you from driving cross-country right now?
• Is there a history of maintenance?
• Is the vehicle history report available?
• Are there any current recalls on the vehicle?
• How was the vehicle priced?
• Can I take the car to a mechanic for an inspection?
• Do you have the title in hand?
• Is the car as is, or is it under warranty?
• Does this vehicle affect your insurance premiums?
• Do the amenities and features work like they’re supposed to?
• What is the ownership history?
• What is the vehicle’s mileage?

Learn More About Buying a Pre-owned Car at Mercedes-Benz of Bloomfield Hills

At Mercedes-Benz of Bloomfield Hills, we want to make the car buying process easier—so you’ll be able to take full advantage of our selection of pre-owned cars. Questions about how your credit score impacts your financing options? Our auto finance team is happy to help—give us a call today at %%di_phone_number%%!