If you are planning to buy a car and have begun to approach car dealers in your town, wait; for you must first understand that it is important to 'test-drive' the dealer before test-driving the car. Yes, you should know the questions you need to ask the car dealer before you make any written agreement about the car purchase. The questions are intended to help you know about the car you plan to buy. They let you confirm the authenticity of the dealer and help you make a fair deal. What are the financing options available? Before you go about purchasing a car, you must make sure that you have the finances ready. If you are opting for a car loan, make sure that your monthly installments do not exceed your monthly income and also allow you your monthly expenses. Make sure you are looking out for cars that fit into your budget. Analyze your finances before you purchase the car. The dealer can help you know the different car financing options available and help you understand their pros and cons. What is the condition of the car and what is its 'running'? It is important to know the condition of the car before you go about purchasing it. You must know from the dealer, about the car problems faced by the previous car owner, if any. It is important to analyze the mechanical and functional state of the car. See if the dealer is honest with you, about the condition of the car. You can confirm his honesty after taking a test drive to judge the real condition of the vehicle. You must also hint about wanting to know the mileage of the car. Weigh it in terms of fuel efficiency and see if you find the deal economical. The miles indicated by the odometer of a car give an idea of the car's condition. The more miles a car has run, the more is its wear and tear. The car's condition is a testimony to whether it has been used with care. How old is the car and do you have all the vehicle documents? It is essential for you to know the age of the car. Over time, a car may have started requiring frequent repairs; it might have grown old. You do not want to pay big bucks for a very old car and make an unprofitable deal. So ask the dealer, the exact year the car was manufactured. When you purchase a car, it is extremely important for you to possess all the documents and service records of the car. Handover of the registration papers and car insurance documents is an important part of a car deal. Was the car involved in an accident? This question might seem difficult to ask, but is critical to the purchase of a used car. Vehicles that have met with accidents have greater chances of requiring major repairs. Moreover, accidents might involve legal issues, which you may have to deal with after buying the car. Clear papers serve as a clean chit for you to finalize the deal. How much do you ask for the car? This, I think, is a very basic and the most important question to ask a car dealer. You cannot decide to purchase a car, without analyzing its cost. Having analyzed your finances and the different financing options, you know your budget. You must also assess whether the price the dealer expects is worth the car you plan to buy. Some market research on your part will help you negotiate with the dealer and get the best deal.