Buying a Vehicle: What Do I Need to Bring?

“I wasn’t told I needed that!” I’ve said it myself. Maybe a salesperson forgot to mention everything you’d need to buy a vehicle. Most of us have been there at some point, and it’s frustrating. It can quickly put a halt on an otherwise smooth experience. Here’s a guide to help you come in prepared for your next vehicle purchase.

What to bring

Driver’s license. Your license needs to be current and easy to read. If it’s too worn to read clearly, or it won’t scan or copy clearly, it can hold things up. If we can’t easily read it, neither can the lender.

Insurance card. Bring a current auto insurance card. A paper card or the one in your insurance company’s app both work. Either way, we need a printed copy for the file, so if yours is on your phone, we’ll print it for you.

If you already insure a vehicle, your current card is usually enough to buy. Most insurance companies give you a grace period to add a newly purchased vehicle to your policy, but how long it lasts and what it covers are different for every carrier. Check with your insurance company before you come in. If you’re financing, the lender will usually require full coverage (comprehensive and collision) on the vehicle you’re buying. Don’t have insurance yet? You’ll need a policy in place before you drive off the lot.

Down payment. If you’re putting money down, have it ready. At Billy Cain Ford, we accept cash, a cashier’s check, a personal check (no starter checks), or a debit or credit card. Card payments carry a 3% processing fee. One exception: if you’re financing, the down payment can’t go on a credit card. Almost every lender prohibits it, because that’s using credit to get credit.

Trade-in. If you’re trading in a vehicle, bring it. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how often someone comes in to trade without the vehicle. You may already have a “sight unseen” number from our website or your salesperson, but the dealership still needs to see the vehicle in person. (Here’s more on how a dealer values your trade-in.)

Bring what goes with it, too:

• The title, if you own the vehicle outright
• Your loan details (lender name and account number) if you still owe on it, so we can get the payoff
• Every key and key fob you have

Cleaning out your personal things ahead of time saves time, too. A cleaned-up vehicle can help, but it isn’t necessary. Dealerships understand dirt and normal mess.

Co-signer. If someone is co-signing, make sure they come with you. A co-signer has to sign all the paperwork too, and they’ll need to bring their own driver’s license. The dealership may hold the vehicle until everyone has signed.

Every purchase is different, but the essentials are the same

I hope this helps you know what to bring so you’re as prepared as possible for your next vehicle purchase. Depending on the deal, a lender may ask for a few extra items, like recent pay stubs or a utility bill as proof of where you live, but the essentials are the same for everyone.

Want to know where you stand before you come in? See What Affects Your Auto Loan Interest Rate? and How to Estimate a Car Payment Before You Shop.

Thanks for taking the time to read and check us out. Reach out anytime, or start with our financing application. Talk to us!