• Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions when purchasing a used car.Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images
  
  Buying a used car can be a practical financial move, but the process can also be overwhelming, especially if you're not familiar with cars. Some questions you can ask on the phone or in an email before seeing the car in person; other questions you need to ask while you're examining the vehicle.
  
  

How Many Miles Are on the Odometer?

• If you're buying an older car, ask if the car has the original engine. The average mileage should be about 12,000 miles a year. If the car has high miles, you may want to reconsider the purchase. Do some research on the make and model of the vehicle and find out the likelihood of it lasting for an extended period of time after a certain mileage. With proper maintenance, some vehicles can go more than 200,000 miles, while others seem to cost more to maintain once they hit 100,000 miles.
  
  

What Is the Vehicle's Condition?

• Excellent condition means that the car is essentially new: The vehicle has low miles, a near-perfect interior and little wear on any of the parts. Sometimes cars that are bought, kept garaged and driven little are older but in excellent condition. Good condition means that the car may have higher mileage or have been driven a lot but that it's well-maintained, has a well-kept interior and is in good condition overall. Some repairs may have been made, but they were done well and there's a valid record of them. Fair condition describes a car that may need a part or may have a dent but works fine overall, or a car that's rusting but mechanically sound.
  
  

Are You the Original Owner?

• Buying a car from the original owner is usually ideal, since he most likely has all maintenance and repair records. You also won't have to worry about obtaining titles or other title issues.
  
  

Why Are You Selling the Car?

• It's important to ask this question --- after all, if it's such a great car, why does the owner want to get rid of it? Acceptable responses could include, "I need something bigger/smaller"; "I just wanted something different"; or "I needed a car that gets better mileage." According to Cars for Girls, "Buyer Beware: Note the seller's response and check your intuition meter. If the answer doesn't feel right to you, it probably isn't. Remember, the seller is in the business of selling and so may not reveal that it leaks oil like Niagara Falls or that it shakes like a wooden roller coaster when it reaches 35 mph."
  
  

Has the Car Ever Been in an Accident?

• You may not get an honest answer to this question, but you may. If the accident was minor, most people will tell you; major accidents, on the other hand, are usually reported. If you're unsure if the seller is being honest with you, check for signs that a car was in a major accident, including "poor body panel alignment or gaps; rust inside the vehicle's passenger compartment, engine bay or trunk; and any frame damage whatsoever," according to All World Automotive.