Quote readiness checklist

The documents and numbers to collect before you sit down in the finance office.

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Itemised out-the-door priceOne total that includes price, fees, and tax — line by line.
Vehicle selling price aloneSeparates the car's price from everything added around it.
Every fee, labelled with an amountUnlabelled lines are the most common place for padding.
List of add-ons with prices, marked optional or notLets you remove anything you didn't ask for.
Tax, title, and registration shown separatelyGovernment charges should be verifiable against your state.
Written trade-in offerA verbal trade number can quietly change later.
Your 10-day payoff from your current lenderThe only way to know your real trade equity.

Buyer's order / purchase agreementThe document that actually binds the numbers.
Window sticker or Monroney labelConfirms factory equipment and destination charge.
Vehicle history report (used cars)Title, accident, and ownership history.
"We owe" / due-bill for anything promisedVerbal promises are unenforceable without it.

APR, term, and amount financed in writingThe three numbers that determine total cost.
Truth-in-Lending disclosureShows finance charge and total of payments.
A pre-approval from your own bank or credit unionGives you a rate to compare the dealer's offer against.