Quick Facts About Used Cars With Multiple Owners
- A car with multiple owners is not a red flag.
- Dig into the car’s vehicle history report.
- Get a thorough inspection by a qualified mechanic on any car you choose.
If you’re interested in buying a used car, you probably want a one-owner vehicle. Nearly everyone does. But not everyone is lucky enough to find one, especially if the car you desire is more than a few years old.
We are not talking about vintage cars or old beaters here. We’re talking about buying a solid used vehicle to drive around town with your family and friends.
The supply of used cars has been lower than “normal” since pandemic-era manufacturing disruptions. The scarcity is most noticeable for older models under $15,000. The most available inventory is in the $15,000-$30,000 range. Used inventory increases as consumers trade their older vehicles for new models, raising the possibility of finding a car with more than one previous owner.
Is it OK, or is it bad to choose a vehicle with multiple previous owners? How can you tell how many people have owned a car? We give you the answers and tell you what’s more important.
Spoiler Alert: A car’s current mechanical condition and evidence of consistent maintenance are more important considerations than its number of owners.
- Why Buyers Prefer One-Owner Cars
- How to Check Ownership and Vehicle History
- Is More Than One Car Owner Too Many?
Why Buyers Prefer One-Owner Cars
There are several reasons why one-owner cars are considered the darlings of the used car world. This is why:
- Level of care. If someone buys a new car and drives it for a decade, the car likely received roughly the same level of care — and the same driving experience — throughout that time. With multiple owners, a car is subjected to various levels of care and a wide range of driving styles, which could negatively affect its long-term dependability.
- Knowledge of vehicle history. Another reason one-owner cars are so sought-after is that the original owner, who purchased the car new, likely devoted fewer financial resources to maintenance and upkeep than, say, a sixth owner who buys the car when it’s 15 years old and costs $4,000. In other words, one owner probably knows the vehicle’s history better than if several drivers owned the car.
However, looking for a used vehicle with just one owner can be challenging in this market. While the number of used cars for sale increases, prices remain high, and the supply is still lean. That situation leaves some buyers to jump when a vehicle in their price range becomes available — even if it’s had a half-dozen owners — as long as the car is mechanically sound.
Do your due diligence, including finding out the vehicle’s value, no matter how many past owners drove that automobile. Read on to find out how.
Used EVs and PHEVs With Multiple Previous Owners
A used electric vehicle (EV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or hybrid car can be a good value, and these models are becoming a larger part of the used market. However, used EV and PHEV shoppers must check battery health and warranty coverage because replacement costs remain high.
The longevity of any vehicle depends on how well the owner takes care of it. For gas-powered cars, timely oil changes are considered to be the most basic task to maintain a healthy engine. For long-term battery health and minimizing degradation, EV drivers should avoid regularly charging to full capacity using DC fast chargers. Unlike oil changes, EV charging habits of previous owners aren’t recorded on a vehicle history report, so it’s crucial to obtain a battery health report.
How to Check Ownership and Vehicle History
You should look at the vehicle history report when buying a used car. Services like AutoCheck and Carfax provide essential information that helps you understand the vehicle’s ownership. Most service centers will submit maintenance information to history report providers, though it is not required. Official activity, such as title changes, registration, and accidents reported to insurance carriers, will show up. An oil change from a neighborhood mechanic might not appear on the full report.
Some Key Items You Can Expect to Find
- How many owners
- Ownership location
- If the car was leased or owned
- Length of ownership
- Estimated car miles driven per year
- Title history
- How many reported accidents
- Maintenance history
Reports cost about $40 for that peace of mind. If buying a used car at a dealership, they usually provide the report free of charge, as do people using Autotrader’s Private Seller Exchange. It’s important not to overlook the finer details in these reports, such as any holes you notice. Be aware that some incidents might not be reported to these sites, so don’t hesitate to ask for maintenance records.
TIP: Research a vehicle’s recalls to determine if it has any excessive defects. You can check for vehicle recalls using our sister site, Kelley Blue Book.
Be sure to check out Certified Pre-Owned models when shopping at dealerships. Many carmakers offer higher mileage programs for certified pre-owned vehicles, providing better safeguards and assurances for car shoppers.
What Matters More Than Number of Owners
Before buying, always trust your instincts and take the car on a thorough test drive to listen for unexpected sounds, sniff for unusual odors, and look for excessive wear and tear.
The best safeguard is to find a qualified mechanic for a thorough vehicle inspection. Services like Alliance Inspection Management’s AiM Certify, owned by Autotrader’s parent Cox Automotive, will come to a vehicle’s location and inspect it.
Be confident before signing any paperwork because, in most cases, you cannot return a car once you buy it.
Is More Than One Car Owner Too Many?
And now on to the all-important question of what to do. We prefer cars with fewer owners, as they will likely be better maintained and preserved. However, you should not rule out a multiple-owner used car with a clean history that received regular maintenance; you should consider the vehicle. While the number of owners should be a factor when buying a used car, it shouldn’t be the only consideration. We believe a vehicle’s mechanical condition — and the paperwork to back it up — should be far more critical than its ownership history.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its initial publication.
