What Should You Look for When Buying a New Car at the Dealership?

from the experts at Invoice Pricing

Cars › Buying Tips › What Should You Look for When Buying a New Car at the Dealership?
Buyer negotiating a new car price with a salesperson inside a modern dealership.
Buying Guide
Quick Answer

Stop and check three times. Before the test drive, confirm the VIN matches the car you came for. Before you sign, put your written out-the-door quote next to the buyer's order and check that the price and every term match. Before you leave, get copies of everything you signed, every key, and any promises in writing.

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Pick your make. On the next page you choose the model and trim, enter your ZIP and pick which local dealers get your request.

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When should you stop and check?

1. Before the test drive

Confirm the VIN so you know you are driving the exact car you came for, and note the starting mileage.

2. Before you sign

Put your written out-the-door quote beside the buyer's order. Check the VIN, the price and every term: incentives, add-ons, fees, trade-in credit, deposit and final balance. If they do not match what the dealer sent you, ask questions and be prepared to walk away.

Source: 1

3. Before you leave

Get complete copies of everything you signed, along with the registration and warranty paperwork. Make sure you have every key, any remaining dealer promises in writing, and a contact for anything still pending.

Three checkpoints

  • Test drive: VIN matches, starting mileage noted
  • Signing: buyer's order matches your written quote, line by line
  • Leaving: copies of everything, every key, promises in writing

Get prices from local dealers

Tell us the car and your ZIP, choose which local dealers get your request, and they send you their prices for that exact vehicle.

Written by Invoice Pricing

Sources Reviewed

Disclosure

Invoice-Pricing.com may connect shoppers with participating dealers.

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