Buying a used car can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be.

Do your research. Ask the right questions. And consult Consumer Reports.

When you’ve found one or more vehicles you’re interested in — whether being sold by a dealership or private party — you can begin sizing up their condition and history over the phone. Ask some basic questions. The answers can help you determine whether it’s worth a trip to take a closer look. That’s especially true when you’re buying from a private party. You might break the ice with soft questions such as the car’s color, but then get specific about its condition, features, and history. Any strange or far-fetched answers should put you on guard.

“How many miles has it been driven?”

If the mileage is higher than, say, 20,000 per year or lower than 5,000, ask why. If a car has high mileage because the owner had a long highway commute, that’s better than if it did a lot of short trips, stop-and-go driving, or a delivery route. Still, take any “these were all highway miles” claim with a grain of salt. Low mileage is nice, but is no guaran­tee of gentle care.

“How is it equipped?”

Whether they’re listed in the ad or not, ask about key features: trans­mission type; A/C; antilock brakes; air bags; sound system; power windows, locks, seats, and mirrors; cruise control; sunroof; upholstery material; and so forth. Double-checking on those could produce some telling comments.

“What is the car’s condition?”

Start with this broad question and see where the seller takes it. He or she could bring up something you wouldn’t have thought to ask about.

“How about the body and interior?”

If these areas weren’t covered in the discussion above, ask about them specifically.

“Has it been in an accident?”

If yes, ask about the extent of the damage, the cost of repairs, and the shop that did the work. Don’t worry too much about minor scrapes, but think twice about a car that has been in a serious crash.

“Do you have service records?”

You want a car that has been well cared for. It should have had maintenance performed at regular intervals manufacturer-specified intervals. If the owner claims to have done the maintenance but can’t produce any receipts for parts, be skeptical. Ask for receipts for any new muffler, brakes, tires, or other “wear” parts that have been replaced. Repair-shop receipts normally note the car’s odometer reading, helping you verify the car’s history.

“Has the car been recalled?”

Ask if any safety-recall work was performed or, more important, still needs to be done. Dealerships keep records of that. Note the mileage when work was performed. See the Consumer Reports car recall section to search for issues affecting the vehicle you are interested in buying.

Happy car shopping!