20 questions to ask a car dealer before buying a car

Buying a car is an important decision that should not be rushed. This is likely the largest post-home purchase you will make. It's important to know exactly what you're buying, what safety features come with the car, and how—and how much—you'll pay for it over the course of its life. GOBankingRates offers expert advice on what questions a dealer needs to ask before deciding on a deal.

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Ask yourself first

Before heading to a car dealership, it is important to have a clear idea of ​​which car you want, how much you can spend and how you plan to finance the purchase.

Alain Nana-Sinkam, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, TrueCar, recommends that potential buyers ask themselves the following questions: “How long do I plan to own this car? Do I want to buy it and drive it to wear, or do I think that in 3 years I will need a new car? How do I want to see a monthly payment for a car? What is the upper limit of such a payment? How am I going to use the vehicle? What fuel consumption is important to me? What are the requirements of my daily trips to the car and fuel? ”

“If you're honest with your answers to these questions, you'll be more comfortable asking questions as well,” he said.

After that, prepare a list of questions for your car dealer.

What you need to know about the safety of this car?

"It's becoming increasingly important for car buyers to learn about advanced safety systems and make sure any car they consider has the technology they want," said John Vincent, senior reporter for U.S. News Best Cars. “Different automakers call systems (such as automatic emergency braking) differently, which can be confusing and lead to purchasing errors.”

What other features are there?

From tech features to a sunroof, a car can come with a variety of extras—things you may or may not want. Keep in mind that these bells and whistles can increase the price, so make sure you really need them.

Can I do a test drive on the highway?

“When you go for a test drive, you should try to drive the car in the conditions you normally drive in,” says Nana-Sinkam. - If you drive a lot on the highway, that's where you should test the car. And if in the city, then on a city road. Then you won't have to find out one day that you don't like the way the gearbox works at high speed, and so on."

Can I test a used car version?

“When you go to test drive a new car, you should ask to also test drive a used version of that car,” Nana-Sinkam said. - Every car is great when it's new, but you want to understand what it will all be like in 2,5 years. Will you still love this car? Most likely, they will have a roughly three-year-old version of this car. Get behind the wheel and see if the car meets all your needs.”

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What incentives to buy do you offer?

Nana-Sinkam said buyers should ask about current incentives, how long they are available, and which ones can be combined.

“There are certain incentives you only get if you lease and others you only get if you go through the manufacturer's own finance company,” he said. “Understanding the compatibility of these incentives is really important. Sometimes these may be factory and dealer incentives that are not advertised. This happens at the end of the month, or if there is a model with a high supply of units that dealers want to sell off. Then they can help make the car more affordable.”

Are there any discounts from the manufacturer?

“This is a refund of cash [rebates] paid [to you] after purchasing certain models,” said Lev Barinsky, CEO of SmartFinancial. — Ask to see these cars first. Keep in mind that despite the discount, you may still pay tax on the full price of the car."

Can you lower the price?

“Even though automakers set a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for each vehicle, smart buyers plan and ask to negotiate a different amount,” said Matt Smith, senior editor at CarGurus. - Instead of MSRP, find out the purchase price - this is the price the dealership likely paid for the car. Taking into account incentives and delays, most dealers will be able to reduce the final cost closer to the purchase price than the MSRP amount.”

Is there any special funding?

“Find out if there are special interest rates or special lease programs,” Nana-Sinkam said. “Ask what rates will be available if you finance the purchase through their bank rather than your bank or credit union.”

Am I eligible for tax credits on this vehicle?

“All electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles can net you anywhere from $2000 to $7500 in certain areas,” Barinsky said. “There are also federal tax incentives.”

What warranty is available?

“Ask about the warranty available,” advises Nana-Sinkam. “You want to understand what else the warranty covers on a new car other than what might break.”

Does the warranty cover any kind of service?

Nana-Sinkam recommends that you find out whether the warranty covers components that wear out or require regular replacement, such as oil, brakes and wipers.

“It will help you understand the true cost of owning this car, because after 2000 or 3000 miles, some things will change,” he said.

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What maintenance costs can be expected after the warranty expires?

Even if maintenance is included in the warranty, these costs can only be paid for the first two years or 20 miles. Ask for typical oil change costs, new tires, brake changes, and other maintenance that you will need to pay regularly during the life of the car.

Is wrap-around coverage available?

Wrap-around coverage (optional car parts insurance) is not included in the price of the car, but may provide additional protection that is not included in the standard warranty. This usually extends the warranty from bumper to bumper.

“You can negotiate the price of that coverage if that’s what you’re interested in,” Nana-Sinkam said.

How much will you pay for my old car?

If you are selling an existing car and do not want to do it yourself, you can sell it directly to the dealer. However, different dealers may offer you different prices. Use online resources to determine how much your car is worth. You should also ask several dealers how much they are willing to pay for the exchange.

Can I see the full purchase agreement?

Before you agree to the down payment and monthly fees, ask for a purchase agreement for a breakdown of costs, including any fees and services. If there is an add-on or accessory that you do not need, be sure to mark it so as not to pay for it.

What are the conditions of the loan?

“Buyers should know the specific terms of any auto loan they sign up for,” Vincent said. “This includes the number of months they will pay, the interest rate, and whether or not there is a penalty for paying off the loan early. The best way to get a great deal on auto financing is to get a pre-approved auto loan long before you go to the dealership. If you don’t have an offer, the dealer has no incentive to find you a better deal.”

Vincent also noted that it is important to pay attention to the term of the loan - the longer the term, the more interest you will pay.

“If the dealer shows you loan terms longer than 72 months, ask them to reenter the numbers with a shorter term,” he said. “If you can’t afford the payments on a six-year or shorter loan, you can’t afford a car.”

Has my loan been approved?

“Before you sign any loan documents other than your loan application, it’s critical to ask if your auto loan has been approved by the lender,” Vincent said. - If they cannot provide proof of this fact, do not sign the loan documents. If you walk away from the dealer before the loan is finalized, you will be exposed to fraud. For example, when the dealer calls you about a week after you take the car home to tell you that your loan is delinquent and you have to come back to sign new paperwork. When you do this, the amount will be much greater than what you originally agreed to.”

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Can I get a car in return when I leave mine at a car dealership?

Nana-Sinkam said you should talk to the dealer's service department to see if they offer any amenities to help you if you need to leave your car at the dealership for repairs - such as a shuttle or shuttle service.

“We're talking about using the car after you buy it,” he said. “If the dealer says, ‘I’m always willing to offer you a replacement car or provide shuttle service,’ then you can buy that car from that dealership and use it every day.”

Can you deliver a car?

If you buy from a dealer who is far from your home, or from an online dealer, delivering a car will save you a lot of trouble.

Can I take the time to make a decision?

“Even though new car sales may seem like they're only available for a couple of days, they're usually available all month long,” Smith said. - If you are offered a deal for a limited time only, but you need a few more days to think about it, tell the seller that you will be back. More often than not, this offer will still be available."

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