Car Buying Checklist

Set a total budget that includes tax, insurance and maintenance, not just the price

Check your credit score before applying for a loan

Get pre-approved financing so you have a number to compare against dealer offers

Decide upfront between new, used and certified pre-owned

Get an insurance quote for the specific model before committing

The same budget car can carry very different insurance costs by model

Shortlist two or three models and compare reliability and ownership costs

Check typical resale value for each shortlisted model

Look up the recall history by VIN before buying a used car

Read owner reviews for the specific model year, not just the model name

Test drive on both a highway and stop-and-go streets

Have an independent mechanic inspect any used car before buying

A seller's or dealer's own inspection is not the same as an independent one

Pull a vehicle history report to check for past accidents

Test every electronic feature: lights, air conditioning, windows, infotainment

Check tire tread depth and ask for maintenance records

Negotiate the car price, financing and any trade-in as separate numbers

Read the full contract before signing, including every add-on fee

Confirm the title is clean with no liens before paying

Have registration and insurance in place before driving it off the lot