Did you know that an estimated 13.7 million to 13.9 million new vehicles were sold in the U.S. last year? That’s in addition to tens of millions of used vehicles that were sold in 2022, with a total of 1 billion car sold worldwide. You’ll need to know the buying process if you’re in the market for a car buying.
Familiarizing yourself with the documents you must provide at the vehicle dealership will make for a more pleasant car-buying experience. Continue reading to learn about the documents needed to buy a car. When you know what to expect, things will flow much more smoothly.
1. Proof of Identity
While a driver’s license is a good document to prove your identity, you can use other acceptable government-issued documentation at a car dealership. You can also bring a passport or state ID to confirm your identity.
If in doubt, call the dealership to ask them what constitutes acceptable proof of identity. You don’t want to be disappointed by bringing in documentation that doesn’t meet the standard of evidence required by the car dealership.
2. Driver’s License
One of the most essential car documents is your driver’s license. So, take it with you if you’re looking at some vehicles. It’s needed to demonstrate you’re a licensed driver and to show you are who you say you are.
You probably already carry your driver’s license wherever you go, but you’ll want to ensure it’s current. So, if you’ve not renewed your license this year, do so before going to a car dealership.
3. Proof of Residence
When you buy a car at a reputable service provider like the Corona Volkswagen dealership, the sales representative will request proof of residence. This is particularly vital if you’ll be making bi-weekly or monthly payments.
Once you find the car you want, engage in car negotiation, and arrive at a mutually agreeable purchase price, the car dealership will need to ensure any correspondence from the car dealership to you gets to the right mailbox.
You can bring a copy of the mortgage documents for your home or a recent bill from your utility service provider. Otherwise, you can contact the car dealership to ask about what they’ll accept as proof of residence.
4. Form of Payment
If you can afford a car outright, that’s always the best way to go. You won’t have to worry about leasing or financing. Otherwise, you can get the money you need for your car purchase in various ways.
You can use a line of credit, get a car loan from your financial services institution, or obtain financing through the car dealership you’re working with. If you choose the latter option, you’ll need a personal check or cashier’s check.
5. Proof of Income
No matter what type of car you’re looking for, you’ll need to provide proof of income if you’ll need financing to purchase a vehicle. Auto lenders won’t lend you any money unless they’re confident you can afford to repay them.
If you see cars for sale and want to replace your current one, remember to take your bank statement or pay stub to demonstrate you have a consistent income. That’ll make getting the financing you need at a good rate easier.
6. Title and Registration for Trade-In
You’ll need the proper documentation to trade in your current vehicle. So, ensure you have your vehicle title and registration if you’ll trade in your current car as part of the car-buying process.
Remember that your name has to be on the documents as the owner for the trade-in transaction to work. If there’s a lien against the vehicle title, you need to get that taken care of before transferring ownership to the car dealership.
7. Proof of Vehicle Insurance
You won’t be able to drive your new vehicle off the car dealership lot unless you have proof that your vehicle is insured. It’s a good idea to work out those details ahead of time so that the process isn’t harder than it should be.
The insurance company will provide proof of coverage that you can pass on to the car dealership. Ahead of mailing you the pink slips, the insurer can send you a document you can print out and take with you for proof of insurance. You can also get the insurer to send the pertinent details to the car dealership.
8. Rebate or Discount Information
One reason to pull the trigger and go car shopping is if a dealership group offers special incentives like rebates or discounts. It can make buying a car a more financially doable proposition over paying the full asking price.
You’ll want to ensure you qualify for any of these specials, so bring the relevant documents with you to be eligible for the rebate or discount. If you’re not sure whether a specific dealership offers these types of promotions, contact them and ask. You might be surprised at what you learn.
Remember These Documents Needed to Buy a Car
Buying a new car can be exciting and stressful simultaneously, but finding a reputable auto dealership can make for a more pleasant vehicle shopping experience. You can also help your cause by being prepared. Ensure you bring the documents needed to buy a car with you. It’ll be a pain to make a return trip simply because you didn’t bring the required documents.
