Are you a first-time car buyer or are you ready to trade in your current vehicle? Knowing what you need when buying a car from a dealership helps the process move quicker and smoother to ensure a positive car-buying experience.
The first thing both seasoned car buyers and first-time car buyers should have is a plan Before you’re ready to buy a car from a dealership, these are some of the important questions you should ask yourself:
Answering these questions will help you come up with a plan and make it easier to find vehicles that match your requirements. You can also see what inventory is available at our dealerships in Richmond and Ashland, VA if you want to start compiling a list of vehicles to test drive.
You may also find it useful to research some questions to ask when buying a car. Getting as much of the necessary information as possible means you can trust you’re buying a reliable vehicle you’ll be able to drive for as long as you choose.
Use our payment calculator to see what monthly payment fits within your budget before visiting one of our dealerships, so you know how much you can afford to spend.
If you have a vehicle to trade in, you can get a free estimate for your vehicle trade-in value. You can use the trade-in amount to offset the cost of your purchase. At Whitten Brothers, you can trade in a vehicle even if you still owe money on it or if it has negative equity.
When buying a car from a dealership, you’ll need to bring certain documents with you to complete the purchase.
Driver’s license: We need proof that you are legally allowed to drive before you can take a test drive or buy a new or used vehicle. Your license must be valid – we can’t accept an expired license. Your license should also be able to prove your identity and where you live, which you’ll need for new or used car financing. State IDs and valid passports also provide proof of identity.
Proof of residence: In addition to your license, you may need additional proof of residence that includes the address to be used for your lease or finance paperwork. This could be a utility bill, rental or mortgage agreement, or bank statement with your address.
Payment: If you plan to make a down payment, make sure you have those funds ready and available.
Proof of car insurance: All vehicles are legally required to be insured. If you currently have car insurance, you can bring your insurance card. If you’re a first-time car buyer or you don’t currently have car insurance, you can contact the insurance company from the dealership, provide them with the vehicle identification number (VIN), and they can fax or email the proof of insurance.
Proof of income: Bring pay stubs from your job with you to provide proof of income. If you’re leasing or financing a vehicle, lenders want to ensure you’re able to make the monthly payments and pay back the loan before you’re approved.
Credit report: Check your credit report before visiting the dealership so you know what your credit score is. You can bring a copy of the report with you.
Loan information: You can get pre-approved for a loan, or you can finance a vehicle through Whitten Brother Automotive. Apply for financing with one of our dealerships to get clear, honest, competitive pricing. We’re committed to transparency, and there are no hidden fees. We have long-standing relationships with several banks and credit unions, which allows us to explore the best possible leasing or financing options that fit your budget.
References: If you’re applying for a loan through one of our dealerships and you have less-than-perfect credit, you may want to bring a list of references. Include the names and contact information of people who know you well and can vouch for you.
Proof of benefits or discounts: If you’re a member of the military, a student, a recent college graduate, or a first responder, check to see if there are any discounts available to you through the dealership or manufacturer. Check with the manufacturer ahead of time if you know what brand you’re interested in to see what they offer.
Planning to trade in your current vehicle? You’ll also need to bring paperwork to complete this transaction.
Vehicle title: Your current car title proves that you’re the owner, and you’ll sign this over to the dealership. You can get a duplicate copy from the DMV for a fee if you don’t have the original.
Vehicle registration: You’ll also need your current vehicle’s registration for a trade-in. Make sure that your registration isn’t expired.
Account number: If you still owe money on your current car loan, you’ll need to provide the account number. You may also want to contact your current lender to see what their process is for handling trade-ins.
Service records: It’s helpful to provide service, maintenance, and repair records in case they include information that doesn’t appear when your vehicle history is pulled up. If you have a vehicle history report, bring this as well.
Now you know how to answer the question, “What do you need to buy a car from a dealership?”. You need a plan, documents to lease or finance a vehicle, and documents for trading in a vehicle. You’re ready to start your vehicle search!
Start by putting all of the necessary documents together in one folder to make the process quick and easy. Next, contact A Whitten Brothers Automotive dealership in Ashland, VA, or Richmond, VA to schedule a visit to the showroom. Our expert Sales Advocates will provide you with personalized service to guide you through the new or used car buying process from test drives to leasing or financing and delivery.