Buying a new car should be a thrilling experience.
You’re about to drive off in the car of your dreams, just to be put off by the salesperson waiting to offer you what they consider to be the best deal for you.
Arming yourself ahead of the forecourt with some essential questions can turn your nightmare into a positive time. With a few simple questions under your belt, you can go confidently to the dealership and may even leave with a bargain.
Here’s our guide to asking the right questions at the dealership:
Is the vehicle suitable for my needs?
Daily commuter, caravan explorer or casual driver are all important factors when it comes to buying a car. If you have your eyes on a Fiat 500 but you drive off-road every once in a while, it’s unlikely to be the car for you. The salesperson needs to know this too.
Short journeys don’t often require a diesel engine, so a good dealership will steer you towards the optimum vehicle for you.
Make sure you ask about how much the vehicle will be to tax – you don’t want to get stung by extra costs later on.
Can I take it for a test drive?
Fundamental to knowing how your potential future vehicle handles on the road and sounds, taking it for a spin beforehand is essential.
Not only will you get a feel for how well the car drives, but it may reveal some drawbacks that the dealership wasn’t so happy to tell you. If the salesperson is hesitant to let you drive, that should set your alarm bells ringing.
Most dealerships have insurance that covers you to take their cars out for a spin but check before getting behind the wheel.
How many owners has the car had?
Ok, so this question is extremely unlikely to affect a brand spanking new, off the line vehicle. For anything else, it is worth asking.
More owners tend to decrease the value of a vehicle. So, even if the car you are looking at looks new, it may have already racked up one recorded owner pre-registration.
Asking the dealership for the ownership history will keep you in the know, and also prompt them to show you the V5C registration certificate. If whatever reason the salesperson can’t produce the documents, this should leave you questioning the sale of the vehicle!
Can I see the service history?
This question is reserved for used cars.
A vehicle’s service history reveals a lot about a car. It documents when scheduled maintenance has been carried out, and what kind of life a car has already lived.
Asking if the car has a full-service history rather than a part service history will likely cause you problems in the future when you want to sell the car.
Is this car available on finance?
Minimising big spends can help you save money long term. Asking if a vehicle is available on finance may give you a wider choice of cars to choose from.
Just be mindful that dealerships don’t always give you the best finance options available to you. Consider your other options. Why not have a look at what a car finance company like Carvine can offer you?
Does this car have a warranty?
Sometimes a dealbreaker, not having a warranty can lead to complications later down the road. However, most dealerships offer them as a courtesy.
Having a warranty is a bit of added protection for keeping your car roadworthy for longer, and without draining your pocket in the meantime. Asking what the warranty includes is also important. Not all warranties are equal.
Car manufacturers tend to offer the most comprehensive warranties, that can last up to seven years. It may be worth checking out what the dealership offers in terms of extended warranty too.
When was the vehicle last serviced?
Again a used car question, but still worth asking!
As a general rule of thumb, changing your car’s oil should be done every 10,000 miles or at least once a year. Keeping an eye on crucial components such as brakes, suspension and cambelts are all necessary to maintain a healthy car.
If the dealer can’t provide you with this information, it is possible that there is something wrong with the car. Knowing that the vehicle you want to buy has been recently serviced will give you peace of mind.
Knowing what to ask at the dealership can be one of the most daunting things. Now you can go with confidence and come back with a car worth driving!
