Questions to ask a private seller
The right questions do two things: they get you real information, and they reveal how the seller reacts under a little pressure. Honest owners answer easily. Evasive ones tell you something too.
About ownership
- Are you the registered owner? If not, walk away — you could be dealing with a curbsider or a car that isn’t theirs to sell.
- How long have you owned it, and why are you selling? A vague or rehearsed answer is a flag.
- Is there any money owing on it? A lien follows the car — verify with your own search regardless of the answer.
About history
- Has it ever been in an accident? Then check the panel gaps and paint yourself, and consider a paid history report.
- Is the mileage accurate, and do you have service records? Records that show the odometer climbing normally are reassuring; gaps aren’t.
- Are there any open recalls, and have past ones been done? You can verify recalls yourself from the VIN.
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About condition
- What’s wrong with it right now? Every used car has something. “Nothing” usually means “nothing they’ll admit.”
- When were the brakes, tires, battery and timing belt last done? These are the expensive wear items.
- Any warning lights, ever? A cleared check-engine light before a sale is a classic dodge.
- Can I take it to my own mechanic? A flat no is one of the loudest red flags there is.
About the paperwork
- Do you have the UVIP? They’re legally required to provide one.
- Is it “certified,” and will you provide a Safety Standards Certificate? Clarify who pays.
- Has it ever been a rebuilt or salvage vehicle? Cross-check against the UVIP brand line.
The tell that matters most
Watch how they handle the request to have your own mechanic inspect it, and how their answers line up with the VIN check and the UVIP. A seller whose story stays consistent under those three cross-checks is usually telling you the truth.