Ready to Buy Your New Car: Here’s What You Need to Bring to the Dealer!

byAdminJune 19, 2019 

The research process when it comes to looking for a new vehicle to purchase can be quite lengthy so when the day comes when you are finally ready to make the big purchase, it can be very exciting! Days, weeks, or even months have led you to this point and there is nothing you want more than to get the keys to your new ride and drive off. Of course, this can only be done so if you have all your paperwork and necessary requirements readily available. It’s important to understand what fees are associated with buying a car and what you need to bring with you to the dealer to ensure you can drive away the same day.

Preparing what you need ahead of time can help ensure you don’t miss anything come the day of purchase. There are a few very essential items/documents you need to bring with you in order to complete your vehicle purchase.

 

Driver’s license: This may seem like a given, but you would be surprised how many people forget it. When purchasing a new vehicle, many people find alternative ways to get to the dealership; Uber, public transportation, ride-sharing, etc. Because of this, some forget to bring their license with them. Your driver’s license is important for confirming and verifying your identity when purchasing your vehicle. If you plan on driving your car off the lot, the dealership will not allow you to do so without a proper license on you. If you forget it and plan on driving your new ride home, you will either have to arrange for another day, arrange for vehicle delivery, or get someone to come pick it up for you.

Proof of Insurance: Just like a driver’s license, you cannot legally operate a vehicle without insurance in Canada. Dealers need to see proof that you have taken out a policy on the new vehicle before allowing you to drive it off of the lot. If you have recently purchased a policy and don’t have the slip yet, providing a printed copy will suffice. Without proof of insurance, you will not be allowed to drive your new car off the lot.

Employment/Credit Information: Typically, dealers will run a credit report for you, however, it’s good to have a report handy with you as well as your credit card. Some dealers may require employment information if they need to verify you can, in fact, pay for the vehicle. If any issues arise with your credit information or you don’t have the required back up information, this may delay the entire car buying process.

Form of payment: Whether you are purchasing your vehicle outright, leasing, or financing, you need to bring some form of payment. If you are purchasing outright, you need to present either a cheque, bank card or credit card that will cover the entire cost. When it comes to financing/leasing, payment is required for your down payment. If you are not putting a down payment down, it is still vital to bring your payment method. This is so the dealer can register the monthly payments to either your bank or credit card. Without this, they will not be able to bill you for your payments monthly, ergo, they will not let you drive off the lot until they are 100% they have a method of taking payments from you.

Dealer Invoice Report: Our Dealer Invoice Report can save you thousands on your new vehicle purchase and many dealers gladly accept the report. Ensure you have it printed out or have a digital copy readily available to show to the dealer. The report can help you knock off some serious dollars on your whole purchase or finance/lease payments. If you do forget it, you could be foregoing a plethora of savings.

 

What fees are associated with buying a new car?

There are a few required fees you must pay before completing your vehicle purchase. It’s imperative that you are aware of these fees so you are not hit with any surprises at the dealership.

 

New plate costs: A front and back plate are legally required when operating a vehicle. These need to be paid for prior to purchasing your vehicle so the dealership can ensure your vehicle is legally fit for the road. If you have a previous vehicle and you want to take the plates off and transfer to your new vehicle, you can do so and the dealer will waive this fee. If you want entirely new plates, however, you will have to purchase them at an extra cost of $60-120 depending on your place of residence (prices will differ for personalized plates and commercial vehicles).

Delivery fees: If you plan on having your vehicle delivered to you, it may cost you a little extra. Depending on the distance from the dealership to your home, the dealership may charge you a delivery fee. You can, however, find dealers who waive this fee for you.

Loan payment fees: When financing or leasing a vehicle, you are given an exact amount that will be billed to your credit card/bank weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. It’s important to keep an eye out on these payments and ensure they match up to what original cost was given to you. If you see the payments that are coming out are slightly higher than initially agreed upon, it may be due to loan payment fees. Some automakers will add this fee on to car buyers monthly payments, usually around $10-$20 extra per month. It’s important to fully read your payment terms and conditions so you are not hit with any unwanted surprises when your payments come out. Not all automakers/dealers will charge a loan payment fee, so it’s essential to research which ones will waive it.

 

Making sure you have all the necessary documents and paperwork ready with you on the day of your purchase can help the process run smoothly and will allow you to drive off with your vehicle the same day. Doing so will also prepare you so you don’t run into any unwanted surprises.