20 Questions to Ask Before You Buy
What every serious buyer should know before making an offer
History questions
1. How long have you owned the car, and how did you acquire it? 2. Do you have the title in hand, and is it in your name? 3. Is there a known accident history? 4. Do you have any service records or maintenance history? 5. Has this car ever been restored? If so, who did the work and when?
Authenticity questions
6. Do the VIN numbers on the dash, firewall, and door jam all match? 7. Is the engine original to the car (numbers matching)? 8. Is there a broadcast sheet, Marti Report, or equivalent factory documentation? 9. Has this car ever been through a registry or club certification? 10. What documentation supports the option claims in the listing?
Condition questions
11. What are the known mechanical issues? 12. When were the brakes last serviced? 13. Has the cooling system been flushed and is the thermostat correct? 14. What was the last time the fuel system was serviced (carburetor, fuel lines, tank)? 15. Is there any rust you haven't mentioned in the listing?
Transaction questions
16. Will you allow a pre-purchase inspection by my independent mechanic? 17. Is the price negotiable, and what would it take for us to make a deal today? 18. What payment methods do you accept? 19. Will you help coordinate shipping, or is pickup only? 20. Is there anything about this car I should know that's not in the listing?
Why question 20 matters most
The last question is the most important. A honest seller will answer it with specifics — "the passenger door needs an adjustment," "the radio doesn't work," "there's a small rust spot under the passenger rear carpet." A seller who says "nothing, it's perfect" on a 50-year-old car is either not being honest or hasn't looked closely enough.