Buying a car involves many processes, such as researching and finding a vehicle that will fit your wants and needs, as well as your budget. It is also essential to test drive the car and inspect it carefully before signing any contract. Once you’ve found the perfect car, the next step is to negotiate the best deal and complete the financing or lease paperwork. If the car you are buying is used, it is also a good idea to take it to a local mechanic for an inspection before you sign the papers. You can also utilize vin lookup, which is an online platform that checks the history of a car.
After you take ownership of the car, the process does not end there as there are several important things you need to consider. In fact, some of the most important parts of the car buying process happen after you get the keys and take home the car. These involve essential tasks, such as registering the car and scheduling maintenance. If you are thinking of buying a car soon and are wondering what happens after the purchase, we’re here to help you. In this article, we are giving you a list of the things to consider as a new car owner.
Things to Consider After Buying a New Car
Before you drive using your newly purchased car, you have to take care of some essential tasks first. Here are some of them:
Get your car insured
If you paid for your new vehicle in full, you have the option to insure it for accident or theft. However, if you took out a loan for your purchase, you are required to get this insurance. It’s because, by law, you need liability insurance to protect other drivers from your actions. But before you decide on an insurance policy, research providers and understand the terms carefully. You must know what you will be paying for, including premiums, riders, and benefits.
Get the title of the vehicle
When you pay the car in full, the dealership should give you the title to your vehicle. They should also sign over the title to you, signifying that you are the new owner. You need to ensure that the title shows the odometer reading of the car accurately. However, if you bought the car via financing, the dealership might not give you the title. In most states, the dealer sends the title to the state agency for processing.
Make sure that you keep the bill of sale
As a receipt, the bill of sale for your car shows the seller, the buyer, the purchase price, and other applicable terms. It is also used to calculate sales tax. When you register your new vehicle with your state, it is required to show the bill of sale.
Ensure that you have temporary tags
Most of the time, car dealerships will provide you with temporary tags that will give you 30 days to register your new car. Aside from physical tags for your car, they can also give you a 30-day registration document. Having these on hand is useful in case you get pulled over and have to prove that you are the owner of the car.
You need to register your car
Before the grace period ends, you have to get your car registered and pay the fee. It is forbidden to drive your new car without registration. In some cases, you can register your new vehicle and get permanent license plates at the dealership. But mostly, you need to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state to register your car. To do this, you also need to prepare the title, loan documents, and proof of insurance. There are times when you also need to show that your car has passed the state emissions test.
Schedule the maintenance for your car
People who buy a new car assume that it will not need a tune-up for months to come. However, it is still important to check with the dealership for a maintenance schedule and make sure to follow it. It is sometimes tempting to skip some maintenance to save money. But following the schedule will help your car run smoothly and save you money later on.
Search for recalls
New vehicles usually rely on new technology. There are times when automakers recall certain cars to update them or replace high-tech parts. Since recalls can affect the safety of the car owner, it is essential to pay attention to them. Therefore, when you buy your car, you can check your vehicle identification number or VIN online to search for recalls.
Keep all of the documents about the vehicle
It is important that you keep all car-related documents on file. These include the bill of sale, tax receipts, insurance certificate, financing documents, and as well as an extra copy of your car’s registration. There are times when these files will come in handy.
Things to Consider After Buying a Used Car
Cars can also be bought from other places, particularly if you are purchasing a pre-owned one. One example is an auto auction. Buyers often find profitable options while searching used cars for sale. If you purchased a used car, the things you need to consider are quite similar to those who bought a brand-new car. There are just some additional tasks you need to accomplish. Here are some of them:
Transfer the title of the car
After buying a pre-owned car, the seller should transfer the title to you. If the car is bought from a dealership, the dealer might have to do this automatically. However, if the car is bought from an individual, you might need to accomplish the transfer at the Department of Motor Vehicles or DMV.
Get an inspection
It is also important to have your car inspected by a mechanic. They can check the transmission, exhaust system, engine, and other important parts of the car. In addition to that, they can also test the car for emissions, which is usually required by the state.
Schedule repairs for the car
If there are issues discovered during the inspection, make sure that you immediately schedule any needed repairs. This way, you will be able to avoid more expensive repairs in the future.
Plan the maintenance
You also need to know if the vehicle requires any routine maintenance. For instance, you may need to rotate the tires, replace fluids, change the battery, or change the oil of the car. When repairing your vehicle, especially if it’s a luxury brand like BMW, make sure to use genuine BMW parts to ensure the best performance and longevity. Following the maintenance routines will help maintain the car’s performance for longer.
Drive around
After you finish doing all the post-purchase to-do tasks, it’s time to take your car out for a ride. Enjoy the road and the freedom that your new car brings.
These are some of the things to consider as a new car owner. Buying a car can be a daunting task, but going through all the right processes will ensure that you will get the perfect car for your needs. We hope this article helped you learn more about the things that you need to do after purchasing a car.