8 Questions to Ask a Dealer Before Buying a Car

When you start the search for your next car, you probably have a hundred questions for the dealer. Do you have any better colors? This isn’t an old lady car, is it? Are you sure you can’t go any lower? And while these are certainly important inquiries, there are some questions you really can’t skip when you’re at the dealership facing a big-money decision. With these eight questions in mind, you’ll have a surprisingly pleasant car-shopping experience and drive away with a car you’re fully comfortable with.

1. How long have you worked at this dealership?

   This is a question you should ask before you even start looking at the cars on the lot or talking prices. Most of your car-buying experience will depend on the salesman that you end up with, especially if you’ve done your research on which dealership is preferred by customers. When a salesman approaches you, that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with him. Find out a little bit about his experience, such as how long he’s worked at this dealership and where he worked before. The more experience, the better for you.

2. Are there any aftermarket parts on the car?

   Once you find a car you’re interested in purchasing, don’t just exclaim, “I’ll take it!” and sign the paperwork. There’s normally more than meets the eye. If it’s a used car, you need to find out if any aftermarket parts have been put in the car. Things like stereos and speakers are left up to your personal preferences, but if engine parts have been replaced with aftermarket varieties, you might want to research the quality of the product. Some brands are just as good as original equipment manufacturer parts, but many are more shoddily made and may break more easily or perform poorly.

3. Can I see the pre-certification inspection?

   If you’ve decided to go with a used car, you don’t want to get fooled into thinking it’s met the high standards of manufacturer certification just because the dealer tells you it’s “certified.” Certified pre-owned vehicles are always the way to go, but some dealerships can call a car certified just because one of their mechanic’s took a quick look under the hood. Ask to see the mechanic’s inspection so you can see what work was done to fix it up and whether it meets your standards.

4. What’s the gas mileage?

   If you haven’t shopped for a car in a while, you might be surprised by the mpg many new models are getting. Many dealerships display the mpg and highway mpg on the window of the car. But if it’s not there, make sure to ask your salesman about the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Ask how that compares to other makes and models, available at this dealership and elsewhere, so you know you’re getting the most bang for your buck at the gas pump.

5. Can you give me a vehicle history report?

   Any honest dealer will make the vehicle history report available to you. If you ask and the salesman refuses, you should at the very least go home and get one on your own. You’ll need the make, model, year, and VIN, which you can find on the driver’s side of the windshield. The report will tell you the accident history of the car, how many owners it’s had, and body work that might point to an unreported accident. If there’s anything weird on the report, make sure to ask the salesman about it. It could be a deal breaker for you and signal that you should move on to the next vehicle, and maybe another dealership if the salesman seems to be trying to hide information from you.

6. What are my financing options?

   When it comes down to how you’re going to pay for your new car, don’t let anyone pressure you into something that’s not in your best interest. Instead, ask plenty of questions about all of your financing options and make sure you know what you’re getting into. Ask your salesman to explain the pros and cons of both buying and leasing if you’re unsure which option is best for you, and keep in mind that checking with your local credit union before shopping could give you a low interest rate that you can use as leverage with the dealership’s financing partners. Note: This talk should be reserved for the end of the process after you’ve chosen a car and settled on a price. If you discuss things like monthly payments beforehand, a salesman might push you into a too-expensive vehicle.

7. What other fees will I be charged?

   So you’re negotiating a price and are tempted to just go ahead and settle right at the top end of your budget? Take a step back and ask your dealer what additional fees you’ll be charged. This could push the total you’re paying up more than $1,000. There are many reasonable fees that dealers have to add on to your bill, such as registration and title fees and things that appear on the factory invoice, but you should be wary of some. Any fee that’s described only by an acronym should raise red flags, as well as admin fees that aren’t on the factory invoice. Ask about any fee that seems suspicious to you; if it’s legitimate, the dealer will be able to explain it to you and show it to you as a line item on the factory invoice.

8. What kind of warranty does this car have?

   During all the money talk, you’ll probably be asked if you want to buy an extended warranty for the car. You first need to find out what, if any, warranty you’ll already be getting. Most new cars come with some kind of warranty that varies based on the make, and you’ll want to consider this when deciding on the extended warranty. Used cars might still have some of the original warranty left, which might be something you’ll want to factor into your decision if you’re in the used car market.

Taken From Car Insurance