The Ford Mustang is one of the most recognizable and popular cars out on the market. It’s also one of the most sought-after classic cars.
You don’t have to buy a brand new one to satisfy your needs. It can be intimidating at first, though, to buy a used one.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about buying a used Mustang.
- Why Is the Car Being Sold?
The majority of the time, cars are sold so that the owner will have extra cash to put toward a new car. Other times, they simply aren’t driving it enough (or at all) and it makes no sense for them to keep it.
Interestingly enough, the answer as to why they’re selling their mustang isn’t all that important. What you need to watch out for is if they can’t give a clear answer to your question.
This is especially true if the car is in good condition and is listed for a price significantly below market value.
While not overly common, some sellers may be trying to get rid of a car that has underlying issues they don’t want to disclose. Falling victim to a scam like this could cause you to end up with a Mustang full of issues that you paid thousands for.
- Were Any Repairs Made to the Vehicle?
Even if the car runs fine at the moment, there’s a difference between a vehicle that has high-quality stock parts and one that’s been quickly fixed up by an inexperienced mechanic.
The owner should have no problem providing you with a history of the car’s repairs. You should also ask them about the car’s routine maintenance and if they were proactive about servicing their vehicle.
Additionally, inquire about whether or not the car was ever involved in a collision, as this often results in significant damage that needs to be professionally repaired.
Put simply, the more information the owner can provide about the car, the less of a risk it is for you to purchase it from them.
If you’re unsure about the owner’s integrity, consider visiting a Ford dealership instead.
- Can I Take It for a Test Drive?
Expecting someone to buy a car without a test drive is like assuming someone will buy a house without taking a tour.
In this scenario, you should never take ‘no’ for an answer. This is a huge red flag the owner is trying to conceal a mechanical or performance issue.
You should also be wary of any discomfort the owner may have with you driving the car for more than a few minutes.
A thorough test drive typically involves driving through residential areas and perhaps briefly on a main road or highway. It’s important to drive for a bit at around 45-50 MPH since this is likely the speed limit for most of the roads you regularly drive on.
In general, a good test drive should last approximately 30 minutes.
- May I Have It Inspected by a Licensed Mechanic?
This is another question that the owner should answer with a resounding ‘yes.’ In fact, you should walk away from the sale entirely if they attempt to convince you that it doesn’t need another look.
A mechanic will thoroughly search for any signs of damage, repairs, issues under the hood, etc.
For example, the owner may have had a cheap fix done for a leak in the past. Without a proper inspection, this leak may have become an issue for the buyer only a month after the purchase.
Foregoing a mechanic’s inspection is a risky maneuver that could end up with you paying hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in repairs after the sale has been finalized.
- Is the Price Negotiable?
Depending on how urgent the buyer is to sell their vehicle, they may be a bit flexible when it comes to price. But, you’ll often never know this unless you ask them.
If your mechanic’s inspection found underlying issues with the vehicle and you’d still like to purchase it, be sure to ask that this is reflected in the price. It doesn’t make sense to pay the asking price for a vehicle that you’re going to need to repair.
Keep in mind, though, that many sellers will be adamant about how much they want for their Mustang and will often refuse to budge when it comes to price.
This also applies to subjective factors about the car, such as its sentimental value to the owner. Things ‘I’ve had this car since high school,’ or ‘this was my first car’ often result in the owner setting a higher price than the market dictates.
- How Many Miles Does the Car Have?
This is an important question to get an idea of both the wear and tear on the vehicle and the car’s value.
In general, cars are generally driven approximately 10,000 miles per year. So, you can expect a 10-year-old car to have around 100,000 miles on the odometer.
A 2010 Mustang with only 20,000 miles on it, however, will likely explain why the asking price is so high.
Similarly, a 2018 Mustang with 80,000 miles should have an asking price that reflects this number. If you feel a car is overpriced, you can use excessive mileage as leverage to convince the owner to lower their amount.
Buying a Used Mustang Can Seem Difficult
But it doesn’t have to be.
With the above information about buying a used Mustang in mind, you’ll be well on your way to getting a reliable vehicle for a reasonable price.
Feel like buying a used Ford truck instead? This article has plenty of useful info. Check out these Ford Mustangs for sale.
Connect with us
