Questions to ask a car dealer

What should you ask a dealer before you buy? Here is a list grouped by topic: the car, the full price, the financing, your trade-in and what happens after the sale. Untick what does not apply, then copy or print the rest and bring it with you.

Pick the questions that apply

Everything starts ticked. Untick what does not apply, then copy or print the rest and bring it with you.

The car
The price
Financing and leasing
Your trade-in
After the sale

Your list (24 questions)

The car
1. Can I see the vehicle history report and the service records?
2. How many owners has it had, and where did it come from?
3. Has it been in an accident or had any paintwork or body repair?
4. Are there any open recalls, and have they been done?
5. How long has it been on your lot?
6. Can my own mechanic inspect it before I buy?
7. What condition are the tires and brakes in, and will you replace anything before sale?

The price
8. What is the full price including every fee and tax?
9. Which fees are required and which are optional?
10. Are any dealer-installed accessories or add-ons already included in the price?
11. Will you match or beat a written quote from another dealer?
12. Is the price negotiable, and what is the best you can do today?

Financing and leasing
13. What interest rate are you offering, and does it depend on buying add-ons?
14. What would the payment and the total cost of borrowing be over different terms?
15. Can I pay the loan off early or make extra payments without a penalty?
16. Can you beat my bank's pre-approval?
17. For a lease: what is the kilometre allowance, the overage charge and the cost at the end?

Your trade-in
18. How did you arrive at my trade-in value?
19. Can we agree the price of the new car first, and the trade-in separately?
20. How will the payout on my old loan be handled, and when?

After the sale
21. What warranty comes with the car, and what exactly does it cover?
22. Do you have a return or exchange policy?
23. Where will it be serviced, and is the first service included?
24. Are winter tires, floor mats or other extras included, and are they in the contract?

Keep going with Uobo

Uobo is your personal car agent. Text it what you need and it does the research and the checks, asks dealerships about availability, condition and price for you, and helps you decide. This is the text you would send:

You can edit this text before you send it.

Text Uobo

On a computer? Text (289) 819-4586 from your phone and paste what you copied. Standard message rates apply. Reply STOP any time to stop.

How it works

Every question starts ticked. Untick the ones that do not apply, and the list below updates. Copy it into a message to the dealer, or print it for your visit.

Several questions have a short note on why they matter, such as why to settle the full price in writing before talking about the monthly payment.

Your privacy comes first. What you tick stays on your device. You can text Uobo the short message shown if you would like help asking the dealers.

What this does not cover

  • A dealer's answers are only as good as what is written down. Ask for the important ones, such as the full price and the fees, in writing.
  • Not every question applies to every car. A new car has no accident history, and a cash purchase has no financing.
  • No list replaces your own judgment. If an answer feels evasive, that is information too.

Common questions

What questions should I ask a car dealer?

Ask for the full price including fees and tax, what is in each fee, whether the car has a clean history and any open recalls, what financing rate you are offered, how your trade-in was valued and what warranty comes with the car.

How do I get the real price of a car?

Ask for the full price in writing: the car, every fee, add-on and tax, and the total you would pay. Our out-the-door price calculator shows what to expect, so you can compare it with the dealer's number.

Should I negotiate the price before the financing?

Yes. Agree the price of the car first, then your trade-in, then the financing. Mixing them makes it hard to see what each is worth.

Can I ask dealers to compete for my business?

Yes. Get a written quote from more than one dealer for the same car and ask each to beat the best one. Uobo can ask dealers for you if you would rather not do the back and forth.

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