Ask these maintenance questions before buying a car

There are many things to consider when buying a new car, especially when gas prices are high and inflation makes everything else more expensive. And while you’re imagining driving a town in a new car, incorporating it for service is probably not part of the fantasy. After all, it’s a new car and ideally it should be in the form of a chip top when leaving the dealer.

But, of course, this is not always the case. Even so, it will eventually require regular maintenance of the vehicle. Therefore, it is very important to ask about maintenance when buying a new car. There are some questions to ask in order to make an informed purchase. Guide from Consumer Reports (CR).

Questions about free maintenance

Many new vehicles come with some sort of free maintenance plan, but not all are created the same. In fact, if you don’t know what’s included in this “free” service, it can be costly in the long run.

If a sales person says your car has “free” maintenance, here are some questions:

• Which service is free? (That is, oil change, tire rotation / balance adjustment, basic adjustment, etc.)

• How long does the free maintenance policy last?
• How often do you qualify for maintenance?
• Is there a limit to the number of times I can bring a car with the free maintenance service?
• Is this a benefit from the car manufacturer or a dealer?
• Do I need to go to a specific store or location to get maintenance free?

If your purchase includes a version of a free (or discounted) maintenance plan, do not purchase without obtaining it in writing (or at least do not leave your retailer). CR stress expert— Even if the sales person tells you not to worry.

Questions about maintenance in general

Even if your new vehicle doesn’t come with a free maintenance plan, you still need to ask what you need to do to keep it running properly.Question to ask include:

• Services required on a regular basis How to keep a car?
• How often does the vehicle need to be serviced? (The information is also in the owner’s manual, but check the instructions of your sales representative.)
• Is there anything specific / specific to this vehicle? In terms of maintenance?

At the end, Recommended by CR experts Be aware of all types of maintenance package transactions offered by sales reps. These usually involve prepayment for several different services on a regular basis and are often not worth it.

Make your own calculations to determine if the package transaction is worth it, or if it is better to get service from a dealer or local car store if needed.