The Complete Guide on What to Bring When Buying a Car
Did you know that most car purchases take four to six weeks to move through a dealership’s pipeline?
Buying a car isn’t as instant as you may think it is. In fact, you’ll have to do a full day of work to ensure that you get the car you want without hassle.
What do you need to bring with you? First and foremost, you need pre-approval on your loan from a bank or credit union. Also, you need a full tank of gas and a test-driving car.
What to Bring When Buying a Car
Please read on for the complete guide on what to bring when buying a car from a dealership!
A Form of Payment
What to bring when buying a car? One of the most important items to bring is a form of payment. Although there are many options for finance, paying cash is often the best option and will result in you getting the most value for your money.
Cash also allows you to make an immediate purchase and avoid a long waiting period for a loan or finance application to be approved.
If you decide to take advantage of an auto loan or other means of financing, bring along the relevant paperwork.
This includes proof of income, a copy of your driver’s license, and evidence of insurance coverage.
Driver’s License
A driver’s license is one of the most important things to bring when purchasing a car. Even if you are not driving the car off the lot but instead taking it away on a tow truck, the dealer will likely require some proof of identification.
It should have your full name, photo, and birthdate, and it will also likely contain the state-issued license number, which is essential when buying cars for sale like Honda.
Proof of Income
Proof of income is a critical document to bring when buying a car. It helps the dealership verify the buyer’s ability to repay the loan and ensures that they can afford the car.
For most buyers, a pay stub or a salary statement from their employer will suffice as proof of income. Bring a bank statement or your most recent tax forms as supplemental documents if possible.
Don’t forget to bring at least 3 months of copies of your credit card and bank account statements to show your creditworthiness.
These documents will show the dealership that you have a history of making on-time payments and will help them assess your credibility when they are considering your loan application.
It is important to bring these documents when buying a car because they will help expedite the loan process.
Proof of Residence
Proof of residence is one of the most important documents you need to bring with you when you go to buy a car. It is used by car dealerships to verify your identity and affordability of the vehicle you choose.
Proof of residence can include a valid driver’s license, a current utility bill, or a copy of a lease agreement.
In order to complete the financing process, a lender is going to want to see that you’re a registered resident of the state in which you plan to buy the car.
This is to ensure that you not only have a good credit history but that you are physically present in the car dealership’s locality to complete the transaction. This can help the lender feel secure about providing the car loan to you.
If you don’t have proof of residence, then you likely won’t be able to purchase the car.
Proof of Insurance
Proof of insurance is an incredibly important car-buying tip.
Not having proof of insurance could stop you from completing the purchase, or you could end up having to pay a hefty fine. When you’re bringing proof of insurance, make sure it is up to date.
This will show the buyer that you can afford the necessary coverage for the car you are buying.
You might also be required to show proof of other types of coverage, such as liability insurance, so bring any and all relevant documents that show you have the necessary amounts of coverage.
Whenever you change carriers or update your coverage, make sure to have the newest proof of insurance on hand before you go to buy the car.
Title and Current Vehicle Registration for Trade-in
Having the title and vehicle registration will provide the dealership with proof that you are the rightful owner of the trade-in vehicle, meaning they can make sure the proper transfer of ownership is achieved.
It is also necessary to bring an up-to-date title or registration when selling to an individual. The title and registration papers should be kept up to date in order to ensure a smooth transaction with the dealer or buyer.
Additionally, it is important to keep all lien release documents handy. All of the documents may help to facilitate a better trade-in price for your old vehicle and a better negotiating position for the new car.
Thus, it is essential to remember to bring the title and current vehicle registration when buying a car.
Learn What to Bring When Buying a Car Now
Now that you know what to bring when buying a car, it’s time to get started! Knowledge is power and properly preparing can save you time, money, and stress.
With your documents in hand, make sure to check out reviews, get a vehicle history report, and always test drive. Take the plunge and find your dream car today!
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