Bring less anxiety and better questions.

What to bring for a first vehicle purchase

Bring a valid driver’s license, current proof of insurance or the ability to bind coverage, your saved listings, a phone and charging cable, and a payment method for any amount you intend to pay. If you are financing, the lender may request proof of income, proof of residence and other application documents. Confirm the exact list before the appointment.

Bring physical fit tests too: a car seat, dog crate, work gear, musical instrument, wheelchair, stroller or the measurements of your parking space. A brochure cannot prove that the hardest item in your week fits through the opening.

• Driver’s license and insurance information
• Saved vehicle links, comparison notes, and written questions
• Any lender preapproval or offer you want to compare
• Requested income or residence documents
• Your phone, cable and real cargo or measurements
• A trusted person if a second set of eyes helps

What to check before and during the drive

Walk around the exact vehicle in daylight when possible. Check visible body, glass, lights, tires and cargo areas. Set the driver’s seat and mirrors, sit behind yourself, connect your phone and operate the controls you will use every day.

Use a route with low-speed turns, normal braking, rougher pavement and a highway merge when practical. Turn the audio off long enough to hear the vehicle. Afterward, write notes before driving the next candidate. A repeatable route makes the differences easier to trust.

What to ask for on a used vehicle

Read the FTC Buyers Guide to learn whether the vehicle is sold as-is or with stated warranty coverage. Ask what history and inspection information is available, check the vehicle for open recalls, and consider an independent pre-purchase inspection. A history report can reveal important events but cannot diagnose the vehicle today.

Ask for every promise in writing, including repairs, included equipment, extra keys or warranty coverage. Spoken promises are difficult to enforce, and the Buyers Guide can control warranty information.

What to read before delivery

Make sure the paperwork and itemized out-the-door figures describe the vehicle you drove. Review optional products individually. If financing, verify the amount financed, APR, term, payment schedule, finance charge, total of payments, and the first-payment instructions.

Ask about return and cancellation terms before purchase and keep the written policy. Confirm title and registration handling, temporary permit details, insurance effective date, keys, manuals and delivery condition. Take copies of every signed document.