Buying a car is an exciting time, and when it comes to purchasing a car from a dealership, it is important you come ready with those questions you need to know that will help you find the right car for your needs.
In our experience, there are five important questions to ask your local car dealer while you’re browsing, so you can walk away feeling certain and happy with your choice.
When purchasing a car, you want to make sure you can afford it and you’re not going to be stretching your budget too thin. A car should be an enjoyable necessity, not a financial burden. Work out your budget, what you can afford to pay upfront, and what you can afford to pay back on finance.
Most car dealerships will have a finance professional to help you work out these calculations. You can pay the car off weekly, fortnightly, or monthly to allow you to drive away in a better or newer model car without putting huge financial strain on yourself.
If you can’t buy new, consider used. All car dealerships will have a selection of used vehicles and may have options to source the model you are after, even if it is not on their showroom floor. Finance options will be available for used cars as well, and can be an option if you’re trying to save some money or have a limited budget. Before making that decision, we’d highly recommend checking out our new versus used cars blog.
You have to love the car you are buying, and there is only one way to figure this out; ask to go for a test drive.
It's best practice to ring your dealership in advance to make sure the car (or cars) you want to trial is onsite. You will need to present a valid driver's license and in some cases will need to fill out some forms with your personal information. It can be a good idea to bring a trusted person along to take a second look and to get a passengers opinion. In most cases, the dealership will allow you to drive alone but some car dealerships will require one of their members of staff to go with you.
Before test-driving, check the car’s headroom and space - do you feel comfortable or a little cramped? Adjust the mirrors, seat, and steering wheel to your preferred requirements before you get started.
If you are buying a used car, look for wear and tear on the interior like the seats and seatbelts - and outside of the car - dings, scratches, rust, or leakages. A clear sign of a leak is a puddle beneath the car or staining on the hood lining. Lift the bonnet and check for any signs of rust or damage.
For a more in depth look, you can review all the ins and outs on taking a test drive here.
All cars sold (new or used) for private use at a dealership are automatically covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA). Under the CGA, the vehicle sold should be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose and match the description that the dealer has provided. You can seek a repair, replacement or refund if the dealer doesn’t comply with their legal obligations, or the car doesn’t meet one of the CGA guarantees. This provides initial protection when you purchase from a car dealership.
You should also consider the longer term warranty support on your purchase. If you are buying new, then your car should be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty and extend over several years. If you are buying used, you will normally get between 3-6 months, which can offer some peace of mind should the car present any issues after purchase. Some dealerships offer an option to extend it further for a price.
At Suzuki, we offer a 5 year warranty package on all of our new cars purchased. For the first three years (or up to 100,000km - whichever comes first), should anything fail within your car, you will be able to get it fixed or replaced free of charge. This does not include normal wear and tear and your car must be serviced by an authorised Suzuki service centre. For the remaining two years, the powertrain is covered for any manufacturer faults. Read here for more information on Suzuki warranties.
You and your passengers’ safety are paramount. Ask your dealership what the ANCAP safety rating of the car is or if the car is unrated what safety features it has. Ideally, you want as many safety features as you can afford in a new or used car like airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, and Electronic Stability Control. A reverse camera is also a great way to help prevent driveway incidents (and the condition of your rear bumper).
Some of the latest models also include advanced safety equipment such as automated braking systems, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Your local dealer will be happy to explain all which models include these features and how they work.
When purchasing a used car, make sure you enquire about any structural (body), interior, or electrical damage. A car dealer will disclose any information they are aware of on the accident history of a vehicle for you to make an informed decision. Sometimes the damage is minor, but if you are finding a car is very cheap compared to the same model and year in other dealerships, then chances are it has been in some sort of accident and been restored.
For greater peace of mind you can also complete an AA Pre-purchase Car Inspection to gain an independent report on the condition of the vehicle.
Ask your dealership about the fuel economy rating of the car you are interested in. If you are concerned about how much gas you are using in terms of budget and your carbon footprint then this is an important question to ask.
Year, engine size and technology, the weight of the car, and how aerodynamic the body is will all contribute to the fuel efficiency of the car. The better the fuel economy, the better it will be for your wallet in the long run.
Let the dealer know what you use your car for and whether you mostly drive around town or travel long distances on the open road. They will be able to recommend which type of car would suit your needs.
Lastly, remember, when buying from a dealership, don’t be afraid to ask all the questions you need to. A good dealer is there to help, and will be excited to match you to a car that suits your personal situation.
Read our Complete Guide to Buying a New Car for further information. Just click below to download.