As you can imagine, there are loads of questions you should ask. However, our list should help you with the questions the answers to which could give you loads of information about the car.

Let’s be honest, when buying a used car, we are actually looking for a reason NOT to buy it and at the first sight of one, we run. Here’s what to ask to get the hints.

Has it been repainted?

This is especially important if the car has one of the more common colours. Repainting is one of the easiest ways to cover up a huge number of heavy repairs. A resprayed car could have been in a collision, it could have rusted badly, or it might have been driven by someone who would put a dent in it every now and then. On the other hand, the owner might have simply refreshed the look of his car with a new paint job. Either way, if the car has been painted, make sure you find the reason why.

Can I check the oil?

The oil is the blood of the engine. Its condition will tell you so many things about the engines general condition. The amount of oil will tell you if the car burns any of it, or if there are any leaks. Either of these mean that you will need to fix the engine soon. If there is writer in the oil, it will be in the form of foam. If the home is tanned and it smells of coolant, that engine is not good. If there and is fuel in the oil, this means that a number of things inside the engine could be bad. Either of these, once again, means that you will need to fix the engine soon. Lastly if the colour of the oil is darker than it is when new, this also means that you will need to fix the engines soon. Now, fixing the engine is rarely cheap.

Can we lift the car?

The only way to see the underbody of the car is to lift it up in the air. This is what allows you to see if there are any leaks or rust. This also allows you to check the suspension. If the seller refuses to lift the car for any reason, you should probably skip that one.

Do you have all of the papers?

If you decide to buy a car, you will eventually need the papers. So, if the current owner doesn’t have something that he should, wait until he gets it before any money changes hands. There have been loads of scams regarding used cars and it’s very important that you buy a legal car, regardless of its condition or the price. As much as it is rare to find a stolen car in Singapore, it is better to play it on the safe side.

Can I have my mechanic look at it?

Let’s put aside the notion that this is a good idea when you’re buying a car anyway. However, if the seller refuses to let an independent mechanic have a look at it, this means he’s hiding something and it is a clear sign that you should stay away from that particular car.