What to bring when you buy a used car.
A short list, packed the night before, turns signing day into a quick visit instead of a second trip.
The short answer.
Bring your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and the way you plan to pay. If you are trading in, bring the title or your loan payoff details, the registration and every key. If you are financing, filling out the online credit application first saves the most time.
Paperwork needs can change with your situation, so the simplest move is to call 251-625-2131 before you come and ask, “What should I bring?” We will tell you plainly for your deal, and you will not be sent home for a missing piece of paper.
Your signing day list.
Tick these off before you leave the house.
- A valid driver’s license for each buyer
- Proof of insurance, or your agent’s number to add the car
- Your down payment, and how you plan to pay it (ask us first)
- Your co-buyer, if you are buying together
- Trade-in title, if you own the vehicle outright
- Trade-in payoff amount and lender, if you still owe on it
- Trade-in registration and all keys and remotes
- Service records for your trade, if you have them
- Recent pay stubs, in case a lender asks for them
- The stock number of the car you are buying
Depends on how you buy.
Three common situations, and what matters in each.
Financing
The credit application asks for your address history, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license details, employer and monthly income. Have those handy and it takes one sitting.
Trading in
Your trade’s VIN, mileage, and payoff amount if you still owe on it. Clean it out, and bring both keys: a missing remote is one of the small things people forget.
Paying outright
Call ahead and ask which payment methods we can take for the amount, so there are no surprises at the desk.
Quick, once the paperwork is ready.
Word for word, from Google and Facebook.
Easiest car buying experience. Finalized in 10 minutes. Would purchase another car here without hesitation. Appreciate their honesty, friendliness and overall ease to get things finalized quickly.
I usually don't write reviews but I decided that with my experience with this place that it would only be fair to give these guys their due credit. I have bought a couple of vehicles from Sports Center Imports over the last few years and I have nothing but good things to say. I tend to do my research for months prior to purchasing and have a really solid idea of pricing and what to look for in a used vehicle purchase. I watch inventory like a hawk at several dealers in a few areas to get an idea of what is available even before I ever go into buy a vehicle in case I have to play a bit of hardball. Well, I have never had to play hardball with these guys, they have never given me even the slightest issue getting vehicle I am looking for at the price range I have in mind. It's never taken me more than an hour or two to get everything taken care of and out the door. They are one of the two (the other closed down due to the owner retiring) used car dealerships that I would be okay with quite literally walking around with a blindfold on, pointing in a random direction, and buying whichever vehicle I pointed at and knowing I wouldn't have an issue.
This was the smoothest, no stress purchase of a vehicle in my 74 years. I’ve always hated purchasing a car and the games played, not so with this dealership. Fred Moore was patient and upfront and very thorough handling the sale. I can’t speak highly enough from Sport Center Imports.
What-to-bring questions.
Do I need insurance before I drive the car home?
Alabama requires drivers to carry liability insurance, so plan on having the car covered before you leave the lot. Most people call their insurance agent from the dealership with the VIN and add the car on the spot.
What if I still owe money on my trade-in?
That is common. Bring the name of your lender and a current payoff amount. The trade-in form and the credit application both have spaces for your payoff and lienholder.
Does my co-buyer have to come in?
Usually both buyers sign, so plan on it. If that is hard to arrange, call us and ask what can be done for your situation.
Can I fill out the credit application before I come?
Yes, and we recommend it. The secure online application has an optional co-buyer section and a trade-in section.
What about the title and tag for the car I buy?
In Alabama, a new title and registration are handled through your county license office. Ask us how the paperwork works for your purchase, and check with your county license office for current fees and timing. If you live in another state, read buying from out of state.
Got your list? Pick your car.
Browse the lot online, then call 251-625-2131 to set a time. We will tell you exactly what to bring.