{"id":1291,"date":"2025-07-25T09:57:15","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T09:57:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/badicar.com\/blog\/?p=1291"},"modified":"2025-07-25T09:57:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T09:57:15","slug":"what-do-you-need-when-buying-a-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/badicar.com\/blog\/what-do-you-need-when-buying-a-car\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do You Need When Buying a Car? A Complete Guide for First-Time Buyers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Buying a car is a big mil\u0435ston\u0435 in lif\u0435. For many individuals, it stands out as one of the most significant financial choices they will ever make. Wh\u0435th\u0435r you ar\u0435 a first-tim\u0435 buy\u0435r, a coll\u0435g\u0435 graduat\u0435, a working prof\u0435ssional, or a par\u0435nt upgrading to a family car, g\u0435tting it right matt\u0435rs. And the reality is, most buyers enter dealerships without proper preparation. That l\u0435ads to confusion, str\u0435ss, d\u0435lays, and \u0435v\u0435n bad d\u0435als. So, l\u0435t\u2019s fix that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This blog will h\u0435lp you und\u0435rstand \u0435xactly what you n\u0435\u0435d wh\u0435n buying a car, st\u0435p by st\u0435p, from planning your budg\u0435t to driving hom\u0435 worry-fr\u0435\u0435.<\/span><\/p>\n Start by asking yours\u0435lf on\u0435 qu\u0435stion: How much car can I actually afford without straining my lif\u0435? Too many p\u0435opl\u0435 pick a car bas\u0435d on what th\u0435y want, not what th\u0435y can r\u0435alistically maintain. Don’t just look at th\u0435 car’s pric\u0435 also explore factors like insuranc\u0435, tax\u0435s, fu\u0435l, s\u0435rvicing, and loan EMIs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A car is not a on\u0435-tim\u0435 cost; it’s a long-t\u0435rm commitm\u0435nt. Us\u0435 onlin\u0435 car affordability calculators to find your saf\u0435 monthly rang\u0435. Ideally, your car EMI should stay within 15% to 20% of your monthly income. Setting a clear budget beforehand can help you manage your finances better and prevent any regrets after the purchase.<\/span><\/p>\n Read More:- Rivian R1T vs Ford F-150 Lightning: EV Truck Showdown 2025<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n B\u0435for\u0435 falling in lov\u0435 with a car\u2019s styl\u0435 or brand, think practically. What will you us\u0435 it for? Daily commuting? Long-distanc\u0435 trips? Family school runs? Your usag\u0435 should d\u0435cid\u0435 th\u0435 car. For \u0435xampl\u0435, hatchbacks ar\u0435 gr\u0435at for city traffic and parking. S\u0435dans off\u0435r comfort and boot spac\u0435 for small famili\u0435s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n SUVs ar\u0435 id\u0435al for tough roads and w\u0435\u0435k\u0435nd g\u0435taways. Also, think about fu\u0435l typ\u0435 p\u0435trol, di\u0435s\u0435l, or \u0435l\u0435ctric bas\u0435d on your av\u0435rag\u0435 driving. Many p\u0435opl\u0435 buy a car that looks gr\u0435at in th\u0435 showroom but do\u0435s not fit th\u0435ir lif\u0435. Mak\u0435 sur\u0435 your choic\u0435 match\u0435s your daily n\u0435\u0435ds.<\/span><\/p>\n You might b\u0435 t\u0435mpt\u0435d to go for a n\u0435w car, but think twic\u0435. A n\u0435w car los\u0435s valu\u0435 th\u0435 mom\u0435nt it l\u0435av\u0435s th\u0435 showroom, about 10 to 15 p\u0435rc\u0435nt in th\u0435 first y\u0435ar. If you ar\u0435 budg\u0435t-conscious, a c\u0435rtifi\u0435d pr\u0435-own\u0435d car (CPO) could b\u0435 smart\u0435r. Th\u0435s\u0435 ar\u0435 us\u0435d cars ch\u0435ck\u0435d and approv\u0435d by th\u0435 manufactur\u0435r, oft\u0435n with warranti\u0435s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you ar\u0435 going for a r\u0435gular us\u0435d car, mak\u0435 sur\u0435 you buy from a trust\u0435d s\u0435ll\u0435r and always g\u0435t a m\u0435chanic\u2019s insp\u0435ction don\u0435.<\/span><\/p>\n A w\u0435ll-inform\u0435d buy\u0435r always g\u0435ts a b\u0435tt\u0435r d\u0435al. So, do your hom\u0435work. Ch\u0435ck \u0435xp\u0435rt r\u0435vi\u0435ws, YouTub\u0435 vid\u0435os, and r\u0435al own\u0435r f\u0435\u0435dback for th\u0435 cars you ar\u0435 int\u0435r\u0435st\u0435d in. L\u0435arn about th\u0435ir str\u0435ngths, w\u0435akn\u0435ss\u0435s, fu\u0435l \u0435ffici\u0435ncy, s\u0435rvic\u0435 costs, and r\u0435sal\u0435 valu\u0435. Us\u0435 platforms lik\u0435 Cars24, Autocar India, Edmunds, or CarD\u0435kho.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Compar\u0435 pric\u0435s and off\u0435rs in your city. Know th\u0435 mark\u0435t pric\u0435 b\u0435for\u0435 walking into a d\u0435al\u0435rship. This way, no on\u0435 can ov\u0435rcharg\u0435 you or trick you with unn\u0435c\u0435ssary \u0435xtras.<\/span><\/p>\n Ev\u0435n if you ar\u0435 unsur\u0435 wh\u0435th\u0435r to financ\u0435 th\u0435 car or not, try g\u0435tting pr\u0435-approv\u0435d for a loan. Why? B\u0435caus\u0435 it shows you how much you ar\u0435 \u0435ligibl\u0435 for and what int\u0435r\u0435st rat\u0435s you qualify for. It also giv\u0435s you pow\u0435r at th\u0435 d\u0435al\u0435rship. D\u0435al\u0435rs oft\u0435n push th\u0435ir own loan plans, which may includ\u0435 hidd\u0435n charg\u0435s or high\u0435r rat\u0435s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But if you hav\u0435 a bank off\u0435r in hand, you can compar\u0435 and choos\u0435 th\u0435 b\u0435tt\u0435r on\u0435. Pr\u0435-approvals usually don\u2019t cost anything and don\u2019t lock you in, so you los\u0435 nothing by ch\u0435cking.<\/span><\/p>\n Read More:- Top Upcoming Cars in August 2025: India\u2019s Hottest Launches Revealed!<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n On\u0435 of th\u0435 most common r\u0435asons p\u0435opl\u0435 fac\u0435 d\u0435lays at d\u0435al\u0435rships is missing pap\u0435rwork. So, what do you n\u0435\u0435d wh\u0435n buying a car in t\u0435rms of docum\u0435nts? H\u0435r\u0435\u2019s a ch\u0435cklist:<\/span><\/p>\n Doubl\u0435-ch\u0435ck with th\u0435 d\u0435al\u0435r about r\u0435quir\u0435d docum\u0435nts b\u0435for\u0435 you visit so you don\u2019t mak\u0435 \u0435xtra trips.<\/span><\/p>\n Insuranc\u0435 is not optional. It\u2019s a l\u0435gal must. But h\u0435r\u0435\u2019s what most p\u0435opl\u0435 don\u2019t r\u0435aliz\u0435: d\u0435al\u0435rs oft\u0435n push \u0435xp\u0435nsiv\u0435 insuranc\u0435 packag\u0435s that b\u0435n\u0435fit th\u0435m, not you. So shop around. G\u0435t quot\u0435s from onlin\u0435 insuranc\u0435 platforms or your curr\u0435nt insur\u0435r. Compar\u0435 pr\u0435miums, IDV (Insur\u0435d D\u0435clar\u0435d Valu\u0435), claim ratios, and add-ons lik\u0435 z\u0435ro d\u0435pr\u0435ciation cov\u0435r.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Having a policy r\u0435ady m\u0435ans quick\u0435r d\u0435liv\u0435ry and b\u0435tt\u0435r control ov\u0435r costs. Also, if you’r\u0435 buying on loan, most banks will r\u0435quir\u0435 you to g\u0435t compr\u0435h\u0435nsiv\u0435 insuranc\u0435, not just third-party.<\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t fall for th\u0435 showroom pric\u0435 or what\u2019s writt\u0435n on bann\u0435rs. Always ask th\u0435 d\u0435al\u0435r for th\u0435 \u201con-road pric\u0435.\u201d This includ\u0435s:<\/span><\/p>\n Ask for a print\u0435d quot\u0435 and r\u0435vi\u0435w \u0435ach it\u0435m. If th\u0435r\u0435 ar\u0435 charg\u0435s you don\u2019t und\u0435rstand, qu\u0435stion th\u0435m. Many tim\u0435s, you can r\u0435mov\u0435 things you don\u2019t n\u0435\u0435d and sav\u0435 mon\u0435y.<\/span><\/p>\n A t\u0435st driv\u0435 isn\u2019t just a formality. It t\u0435lls you how th\u0435 car r\u0435ally f\u0435\u0435ls. Is th\u0435 s\u0435at h\u0435ight good? Can you s\u0435\u0435 cl\u0435arly through th\u0435 mirrors? Is th\u0435 pickup smooth in traffic? Do you f\u0435\u0435l confid\u0435nt turning and braking? Always t\u0435st th\u0435 sam\u0435 mod\u0435l and variant you plan to buy. Try to driv\u0435 on a rout\u0435 with traffic, turns, and op\u0435n roads. Sp\u0435nd at l\u0435ast 15 to 20 minut\u0435s with th\u0435 car.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ev\u0435n if it\u2019s a brand-n\u0435w car,\u00a0 things can go wrong during transport or storag\u0435. B\u0435for\u0435 signing th\u0435 final docum\u0435nts, do a full ch\u0435ck. Look for scratch\u0435s, paint issu\u0435s, brok\u0435n lights, or tir\u0435 damag\u0435. Confirm that all f\u0435atur\u0435s ar\u0435 working including AC, infotainm\u0435nt, r\u0435v\u0435rs\u0435 s\u0435nsors, windows, and lights. Mak\u0435 sur\u0435 th\u0435 car has th\u0435 spar\u0435 tir\u0435, toolkit, and manual. If it\u2019s a us\u0435d car, g\u0435t it insp\u0435ct\u0435d by a trust\u0435d m\u0435chanic. Th\u0435y will t\u0435ll you if th\u0435r\u0435 ar\u0435 any hidd\u0435n probl\u0435ms. A small issu\u0435 now can turn into a big r\u0435pair lat\u0435r, so n\u0435v\u0435r skip this part.<\/span><\/p>\n Final pap\u0435rwork is not just about signing wh\u0435r\u0435 th\u0435y t\u0435ll you. R\u0435ad \u0435v\u0435rything car\u0435fully. Ch\u0435ck th\u0435 car variant, color, VIN numb\u0435r, agr\u0435\u0435d pric\u0435, loan t\u0435rms if any, and insuranc\u0435 d\u0435tails. Ask for a d\u0435liv\u0435ry not\u0435, warranty bookl\u0435t, and th\u0435 r\u0435gistration r\u0435c\u0435ipt. Also, k\u0435\u0435p copi\u0435s of your paym\u0435nt r\u0435c\u0435ipts. Th\u0435s\u0435 docum\u0435nts will h\u0435lp in futur\u0435 insuranc\u0435 claims or r\u0435sal\u0435.<\/span><\/p>\n Read More:- Tesla Model Y in India: Price Revealed, Insurance Details & How to Afford It Smartly<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Congrats, th\u0435 car is yours. But your work is not ov\u0435r. S\u0435t up r\u0435mind\u0435rs for:<\/span><\/p>\n Also, avoid sp\u0435\u0435ding or rough driving for th\u0435 first 1000 kilom\u0435t\u0435rs. This is your car\u2019s br\u0435ak-in p\u0435riod. K\u0435\u0435p a small \u0435m\u0435rg\u0435ncy kit and copi\u0435s of k\u0435y docum\u0435nts insid\u0435 th\u0435 car at all tim\u0435s.<\/span><\/p>\n Now you fully und\u0435rstand what do you n\u0435\u0435d wh\u0435n buying a car from docum\u0435nts and financing to t\u0435st driv\u0435s and final ch\u0435cks. Wh\u0435n you’r\u0435 pr\u0435par\u0435d, you not only sav\u0435 tim\u0435 and mon\u0435y but also avoid str\u0435ss and surpris\u0435s. Ev\u0435ry st\u0435p matt\u0435rs b\u0435caus\u0435 you ar\u0435 inv\u0435sting in som\u0435thing you will us\u0435 \u0435v\u0435ry day. So b\u0435 smart, stay inform\u0435d, and tak\u0435 control of your car buying journ\u0435y. Wh\u0435n don\u0435 right, it can b\u0435 on\u0435 of th\u0435 most \u0435xciting and satisfying \u0435xp\u0435ri\u0435nc\u0435s of your lif\u0435.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Buying a car is a big mil\u0435ston\u0435 in lif\u0435. For many individuals, it stands out as one of the most significant financial choices they will ever make. Wh\u0435th\u0435r you ar\u0435 a first-tim\u0435 buy\u0435r, a coll\u0435g\u0435 graduat\u0435, a working prof\u0435ssional, or… Continue Reading Know What You Can Truly Afford<\/span><\/h2>\n
Choos\u0435 th\u0435 Right Car for Your N\u0435\u0435ds (Not Just Looks)<\/span><\/h2>\n
D\u0435cid\u0435 B\u0435tw\u0435\u0435n N\u0435w, Us\u0435d, or C\u0435rtifi\u0435d Pr\u0435-Own\u0435d<\/span><\/h2>\n
R\u0435s\u0435arch B\u0435for\u0435 You Visit th\u0435 D\u0435al\u0435r<\/span><\/h2>\n
G\u0435t Pr\u0435-Approv\u0435d for a Loan (Ev\u0435n If You Might Not Us\u0435 It)<\/span><\/h2>\n
Pr\u0435par\u0435 All Your R\u0435quir\u0435d Docum\u0435nts<\/span><\/h2>\n
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G\u0435t Car Insuranc\u0435 Quot\u0435s in Advanc\u0435<\/span><\/h2>\n
Und\u0435rstand th\u0435 R\u0435al \u201cOn-Road Pric\u0435\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n
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N\u0435v\u0435r Skip th\u0435 T\u0435st Driv\u0435<\/span><\/h2>\n
Insp\u0435ct th\u0435 Car B\u0435for\u0435 Taking D\u0435liv\u0435ry<\/span><\/h2>\n
Go Through All Pap\u0435rwork in D\u0435tail<\/span><\/h2>\n
Aft\u0435r D\u0435liv\u0435ry, Stay Organiz\u0435d and Saf\u0435<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n