What to Bring to the Dealership

A documents-and-numbers list to walk into any dealership prepared and in control of the conversation.

Documents to bring

• Valid driver's license for every person who will be on the title.
• Proof of current auto insurance, or your agent's phone number to add the new vehicle.
• Two recent pay stubs or proof of income if you are financing.
• Proof of residence such as a utility bill, if the lender requires it.
• Your pre-approval letter from a bank or credit union.
• Trade-in title or loan payoff information, plus both sets of keys and the service records.

Numbers to bring

• Your target out-the-door price, not a monthly payment.
• Your maximum monthly budget including insurance, fuel and maintenance.
• The trade value you have already researched from at least two sources.
• The APR and term on your outside pre-approval so the dealer has to beat it.

What to leave at home

Leave the urgency at home. Do not disclose your monthly payment target, do not sign anything on a first visit that you have not read, and never let a dealer run your credit before you have agreed on a price in writing.

Use with the Know Before You Go checklist, the pre-approval estimator and the questions to ask a dealer.