Questions to ask when buying a car: avoiding problems before they happen

Whenever we walk into a dealership and buy a new car, we often ask a number of questions about the vehicle we’re buying. Unfortunately, we forget to ask about other equally important facts which only surface once we have the car, used it for a few years and eventually encountered problems.

It’s important to know these facts and figures because these will affect your decision on whether or not you should buy the car you’re considering. Here are some of them:

 

1.)    The fuel mileage and consumption. This is the most commonly asked question: How much fuel consumption/mileage does this car get? The truth is that whatever fuel mileage the sales executive will tell you is often based on ideal driving conditions, meaning while traveling between 60-90 kph, at night, with the air-conditioning system set at its lowest possible cooling point, with minimal to no traffic and with only two people on board. Chances are the sales executive isn’t lying, but simply doesn’t properly qualify his/her statement.

 

So you can’t just drive in and expect a fuel consumption figure given to you. You have to ask the sales executive under what conditions—time of day, average speed; city, highway or mixed driving, etc.—these figures were achieved. But that only tells you half of what you need to know.

You also need to ask people who have owned the same car brand and model for at least a few months about their own personal feedback and experience. The moral of the story? Take whatever you’ve been told at the dealership with a grain of salt.

 

2.) The servicing cost. The introduction of CRDi diesel engines has caused a spike in sales of SUVs and pickups recently. I’ve received a number of e-mails from angry customers who claimed that they have been overcharged with huge servicing costs for these kinds of vehicles by dealerships.

Buying a car with a warranty is a contract: You expect to receive a certain level of service and performance by buying the car with its list price. But the contract works both ways. You can and will only receive the service level and performance you expect if the dealership services the car in a manner stipulated in the contract of the car’s manufacturer.

 

Taking into consideration CRDi-equipped vehicles for example, this usually means utilizing 7 liters  (thereabouts) of fully synthetic diesel engine oil, high-quality fuel and oil filters and a diesel-fuel/water separator or filter. These parts can cost around an estimated P7,000 to P18,000 per service, especially if you’ve missed the odd PMS schedule.

 

It is important to inquire on servicing costs and what the major service schedules are so you’re prepared. Dealerships will also require you to use minimum octane rating fuel to achieve the best performance and longevity from your engine. So you need to take note of this as well.

 

3.) Accessories that can void warranty.  Many of us would want to add more to a bought car, be it minor cosmetic aspects or more involved modifications that touch into the car’s engine, or electrical, transmission or suspension systems.

 

Upgrading or changing certain components will definitely affect the car’s performance, whether good or bad. But many sales executives, unfortunately, do not know the answer to some of our questions about this. So it’s best to formally write or inquire about the warranty issue when you plan to change, upgrade, modify or alter any of the vehicle’s components. In this regard, sales managers, service advisers or technicians should be more helpful, or you might consider writing the car manufacturer directly.

 

Popular upgrades usually include swapping out wheels and tires, adding some basic engine-bolt-on performance upgrades or installing a set of lower, firmer suspension components. Some manufacturers offer factory upgrades through their dealerships, so ask about these factory-approved upgrades to avoid warranty problems.

 

It’s also a good idea to have the dealership where you bought your car install accessories that you have in mind. Oftentimes, dealerships sell simple accessories which you can include in the cost of amortization and insurance. The lesson here is that accessories can affect a vehicle’s performance, which can undermine your warranty. So best to research first before you buy and install an accessory.

 

4.) Parts not covered by the dealership or the manufacturer. A car is a collection of many parts, components and systems. Not all the pieces are made under one roof. Manufacturers outsource some parts or simply buy them from other manufacturers; hence the term OEM or original equipment manufacturer.

 

Common outsourced parts include the tires, battery and 1DIN radios, which are used in some cars. These parts can fail or wear out faster prior to the end of your vehicle’s warranty coverage. Ask about the separate warranty of these parts so in case they fail, you know where to claim the warranty for these specific items.

 

There are separate and specific warranty cards in the documents the sales executive will give you. Check and read them properly and carefully, and keep them.

 

5.) The freebies. We all want that little bit of extra freebie from the dealership whenever we buy a new car. We often ask for an additional or outright cash discount but end up not getting it.

But there are other freebies we can ask for and, quite possibly, get. Stuff like an umbrella or two, a gym bag to put your tools in and personal car-related effects, a free shirt, full wrap-around tint (including a clear tint for the front windshield to reduce UV light radiation), or  even a  comprehensive one-year insurance and emergency recovery package (if we’re buying from a large dealership group) are welcome options to have. You can use these same freebies to get additional leverage from other dealerships should you shop around.

 

Technology is around us and we should utilize it to become more well-informed and well-educated whenever we buy something as important as a car. Aside from checking out the cars you are considering, go online and research on feedbacks from private owners. Test-drive the car you’re thinking of buying and when you’ve made a decision, shop around different dealerships of the same brand to get the best deal possible.

 

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