What to Bring When Buying a Car

Drivers from Mascoutah to Smithton know how exciting it is to walk into a car dealership and drive out with a brand new car. In order to make the process quick and easy, it’s important to bring any paperwork you might need to our O'Fallon Kia dealership. Don’t worry, you won’t need to bring in a box of financial documents, but you should be prepared for what you need to drive home.

Buying a New Car? Bring These Important Items

O'Fallon area drivers should review this checklist to help them gather everything they will need to buy a new or used car before jumping into the process at Auffenberg Kia. Not every driver will need to bring all of these, but they’re good to have on-hand just in case:

• Your driver’s license. While it is always imperative to be carrying a driver’s license, the dealership will need to see that you’re a licensed driver before you drive off in your new car. Make sure your license is valid and not expired.
• Proof of insurance. Before you will be able to drive off the Auffenberg Kia lot, you’ll need proof of insurance when buying a new car. You can speed up the buying process and avoid delays at the dealership by calling your insurance agent beforehand. Ask your agent how you can best prepare to remove your old vehicle and add your new vehicle to your policy. Be sure to bring your current proof of insurance card to the dealer, too.
• Form of payment. Whether you’re using a check, cash, or a loan to make your purchase, you’ll want to have your payment handy. If you’re taking out a loan with the dealership, prepare to be spend a little time signing paperwork. Be ready to pay a down payment at the dealership, as well. Call the dealership before you arrive and speak to the financing department to see what documents are required. You can also apply for financing online to save time.
• Recent pay stubs. If you plan on getting a loan through the dealership, they often require you to show proof of your employment. To be prepared, bring a couple of your most recent pay stubs.
• Credit score and history. While the dealership will be able to pull your credit score and history, it is a good idea to check it yourself. Review your credit score and bring your own paperwork with you when you plan to buy the car. It is a good idea to check for signs of unpaid or late bills and resolve them ahead of time.
• Discount information. Should you be in line to receive a discount from your credit card company, the dealership, the manufacturer or another party, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork handy so you don’t miss out on the deal. It is important to review the fine print of the deal slowly, as well, so you fully understand the offer.
• A list of references. If you don’t have a good credit score and are applying for a loan through the dealership, it is also a good idea to supply a list of references who don’t live with you. Bring a list with the names, business address and contact information of those references when you go to purchase the vehicle.

What to Bring to Trade in Your Car

If you plan on trading in your current vehicle when you buy your new car, you’ll need additional paperwork to make sure everything goes smoothly. Bring these items with to make your car buying and trading process easier:

• Current certificate of title. The dealership should help you prepare to transfer your car’s title to them.
• Current vehicle registration. If you currently have expired vehicle registration, the dealer will likely give you less for it since they will be obligated to make the registration current themselves.
• A clean vehicle. Make sure to remove all of your personal belongings from the vehicle.
• Service records. Have all service and repair records handy, as the dealer likely wants to know about the vehicle’s previous maintenance.

Buying a Car Out of State

When purchasing a car out of state, there may be additional fees and paperwork. It’s a good idea to look up that state’s requirements on their DMV website ahead of time. It pays to do a little extra research on state special requirements, as some states have smog and emissions testing or safety inspections, while others don’t. If you’re coming to us from St. Louis, feel free to reach out; we’ve sent many drivers back to Missouri behind the wheel of a new Kia.

Ease the car Buying Experience at Auffenberg Kia

At Auffenberg Kia, we want to make sure your new ride gets you from Smithton to Trenton without any issues. Now you know what to bring when buying a car, which is important. With Auffenberg Kia’s honesty policy, you’ll have peace of mind you deserve while you’re on the O'Fallon area roads.