Top 10 Questions to ask a Car Dealer Before Buying

Purchasing a vehicle is one of the biggest financial deals most people make in their lifetime. There’s a lot to think about, and making sure you get the best possible deal on your vehicle is the ultimate goal.

Here are questions to ask as well as tips you need to know when buying a car from a dealership.

May I please see the Carfax report?

This report will tell you if the vehicle has been in an accident, if there are any warranty issues, and if it’s been recalled. Beware of any dealership that doesn’t want you to see the Carfax report on one of their cars.

Has this car been repainted?

Look for uneven paint color or drips. It’s important to check the car carefully in bright, natural light.

Do you have a clear title?

The only acceptable answer to this question is, “yes.”

How many remotes and keys are included? If there’s only one, can I get an additional one at no charge?

Many people are unaware of how expensive a replacement key is for some vehicles. For cars with a computerized ignition, the price can be $500 to $1,000.

Is all the original equipment like interior organizing nets, floor mats, and roof rack parts included? If not, will you provide replacements?

It’s much easier for the car dealership to get you replacement accessories than it is for you to find them yourself.

Has the car passed the required safety and emissions tests?

These requirements vary by state. The car salesman should be able to speak about the process the dealership goes through to ensure that every vehicle they sell can pass the state’s required tests.

Are there any dealer documentation fees or other dealer-specific fees that I should know?

Additional charges like documentation fees can get really tricky, especially for the first-time buyer. Make sure you are aware of all the fees and negotiate around the unnecessary charges.

What maintenance or repairs has the dealership performed on this vehicle?

Be sure to find out if there are warranties or guarantees on parts or service.

What financing options does the dealership provide?

In many cases, car dealerships and traditional financing institutions can’t offer loans to international students. If they do offer to finance, watch out for additional fees or high interest rates. Be sure to shop around and compare the dealership or bank’s rates with Boro’s loans for college students.

Is there a factory warranty or dealership warranty available on this vehicle? If so, what does it cover?

If you decide to purchase the vehicle, get any warranties, promises, and guarantees about the car in writing.

About Boro

Boro is the leading platform for college students to get the auto loans, leases, and personal loans they deserve — all while helping to build credit. We are committed to providing affordable and convenient financing solutions to those who are denied credit by traditional lenders. By leveraging alternative data and machine learning techniques, we are revolutionizing the consumer financing industry.

We started our journey as an auto lending platform for international students in 2015. After talking with our customers, we realized that domestic students, young professionals, and new immigrants could all benefit from our products. So, we evolved into a data-driven consumer lending platform providing auto loans, personal loans, and auto leases for anyone without enough credit history to borrow from traditional lenders.