Don’t want to be one of the 61% of Americans ripped off by car dealerships?
In an ideal world, every car buyer would come away from the dealership process feeling good about their purchase. After all, buying a new (or used) vehicle is a major financial decision.
The Problem: A lot of people go to car dealerships underprepared and get bullied by pushy sales tactics.
Without a list of great questions to ask, it’s nearly impossible to get the right deal.
The Good News? New car buyers reported being happy with their 2024 shopping experience 75% of the time.
This is great because it means dealerships are focused on customer service for informed and prepared car buyers.
Let’s jump right in and go over the questions that are critical for a great deal!
In This Guide:
- Why Asking Questions is So Important at Dealerships
- Research Questions To Ask Before You Visit
- 5 Key Financing Questions to Always Ask
- Questions to Ask About Every Vehicle
- Questions About Vehicle Add-Ons and Extras
- Questions for Negotiation and Closing the Deal
- Wrapping Things Up
Why Asking Questions is So Important at Dealerships
Here’s a fact that few car buyers realise…
The questions you choose to ask (or not ask) could cost or save you thousands of dollars.
At any given time, a car dealership has a ton of customers walk through the door. Dealerships know which people are prepared and which people are not.
When you ask good, informed questions, it’s a signal to the dealership that you’re not an easy target for inflated prices or unnecessary add-ons.
When visiting professional Mt Gravatt car dealers, asking the right questions will show that you have done your research beforehand.
This often results in more transparent pricing and overall better service because dealerships respect informed customers.
Research even shows that informed buyers end up with better deals. They’re also less likely to get pushed into financing they don’t need or features they won’t use.
The best part about asking questions at a dealership is that the entire experience is your responsibility.
When you take control of the conversation with the right questions, everything that happens during your visit is on you.
Research Questions To Ask Before You Visit
Before you even get into a car dealership, you must have a plan.
Truth be told, most successful car purchases begin long before the handshake with the salesperson.
Here’s why: The best deals always go to those who know exactly what they want and what it should cost.
Research Questions to Ask Before Visiting a Dealership
- What’s the market value of this specific model and year?
- Are there any manufacturer incentives this month?
- How long has this car been on your lot?
- Do you have any other examples of this model with different options?
- Can I see the vehicle history of this car?
One of the most common mistakes that car buyers make is not knowing the market price of a vehicle before visiting the dealership.
Be sure to have an idea of the fair market value before you start negotiating.
It gives you leverage during negotiations and proves to the salesperson you’re serious about making an informed decision.
5 Key Financing Questions to Always Ask
Financing is where most car buyers get ripped off…
Here’s how it works: Dealerships make more money on financing than they do on the car itself. If you don’t know what to ask, you could easily pay thousands more than necessary.
The trick to getting good financing is asking these 5 specific questions:
5 Key Financing Questions to Always Ask
- What is the lowest interest rate you can offer me?
- Can you beat my pre-approved rate from my bank?
- What loan terms do you have outside of the standard options?
- Are there any prepayment penalties?
- What is the total amount I will pay over the life of the loan?
- Can you break down all fees and charges?
You should get pre-approved financing from your bank or credit union before going to the dealership. This will give you a baseline offer to compare against dealer financing.
Questions to Ask About Every Vehicle
When it comes to the actual vehicle, you need to dig deeper than “Does it run well?”
The Reality: Every car has its own set of characteristics, maintenance needs, and potential issues. The questions you need to ask are tailored to getting a full understanding of what you’re buying.
Questions to Ask About Every Vehicle
- What is covered under the manufacturer’s warranty?
- What is the typical maintenance schedule for this model?
- Have any major repairs been completed on this specific vehicle?
- Can you demonstrate all the key features?
- What is the real-world fuel economy I can expect?
- Are there any known issues with this model year?
- What safety ratings does this model have?
- Has this specific vehicle been in any accidents?
- Are there any open recalls on this model?
These questions are great for helping you get a complete understanding of your purchase.
Take notes during the car dealership visit, and don’t rely on memory if you’re comparing multiple vehicles or dealerships.
Questions About Vehicle Add-Ons and Extras
Here’s a sneaky trick to make it much easier to avoid spending on add-ons and extras.
Ask direct questions about each add-on before you agree to purchase.
Let’s be clear, almost every dealership will try to sell you additional products and services. Some are valuable. Others are just pure profit for the dealership.
Key Questions About Vehicle Add-Ons and Extras
- Is this add-on something I can get elsewhere for less money?
- What does this protection plan actually cover?
- Can I get this add-on later if I change my mind?
- What maintenance is actually required to maintain my warranty?
- Can I service this vehicle at independent shops?
Most vehicle add-ons can be purchased elsewhere for far less money.
Gap insurance, extended warranties, and protection packages are often marked up greatly at the dealership.
Questions for Negotiation and Closing the Deal
This may be the most important section of the entire list…
The questions you ask during negotiations will determine whether you end up getting a fair deal or getting ripped off.
Price Questions:
- What’s the best out-the-door price for this vehicle?
- Can you match or beat this competitor’s price?
- What’s the lowest price you can offer today?
Trade-In Questions:
- How did you come up with this trade-in value?
- Can you provide a written appraisal of my trade?
- Would I get more money selling privately?
Contract Questions:
- Can I take this contract home to review?
- What exactly am I agreeing to with each signature?
- Can you explain every line item and fee?
The secret to negotiation is knowing you can walk away.
If dealers know you have other options, they’re much more likely to present their best price.
Wrapping Things Up
Asking the right questions at a car dealership is one of the most powerful ways to get a fair deal and avoid getting ripped off.
Don’t have the confidence to ask the right questions?
A lot of car buyers feel uncomfortable and out of their element at dealerships. This is why they pay more than they should.
Remember that you’re the customer with the money, and the dealership needs your business.
The secret to success at a car dealership is preparation. Come prepared with research, know what you want, and don’t be afraid to ask direct questions about everything.
From pricing to financing to add-ons, you control the experience by asking questions.
When you do, dealerships respect you more and are more likely to offer you better deals. Simple as that!
Refresh Date: August 26, 2025
