Buying a new car is a major financial decision, and many people wait for festive seasons or special occasions to bring home their dream vehicle. But while comparing models, prices, mileage and discounts, there is another important check that buyers should never ignore: whether the showroom is actually an authorised dealer.

Attractive discounts can sometimes tempt buyers into making quick decisions. However, purchasing a vehicle from an unauthorised dealer could create complications later, particularly when it comes to warranty, servicing, documentation and after-sales support.

The good news is that verifying a dealer is relatively simple and can usually be done before you even leave home.

Check the manufacturer's official website

The easiest way to verify a showroom is through the vehicle manufacturer's official website.

Most automobile companies have a "Find a Dealer" or "Dealer Locator" option. Enter your state and city, and the website will generally display the authorised dealerships in that area, along with their names and addresses.

Before making a booking, compare the showroom's details with the information listed on the manufacturer's website.

If the dealership does not appear on the official list, don't immediately assume it is genuine. Contact the manufacturer directly and verify its status before making any payment.

Ask the showroom for proof of authorisation

If you're already at the dealership, you can ask the sales representative or manager to show you proof that the showroom is authorised by the manufacturer.

Authorised dealerships generally have documentation or certificates issued by the automobile company. These may be displayed at the reception or another visible location within the showroom.

If staff members are unwilling to provide basic information about their authorisation, treat it as a warning sign and verify the dealership independently.

Call the company's customer-care team

Another simple way to confirm a dealership is to contact the manufacturer's official customer-care service.

Provide the showroom's complete name and address and ask whether it is part of the company's authorised dealer network.

This can be particularly useful if you cannot find the showroom on the company's website or if the dealership is offering a deal that appears unusually attractive.

Check the booking receipt carefully

Never make a large payment simply because a salesperson promises a special discount.

Whenever you pay a booking or token amount, ask for a proper receipt. Check whether it contains the correct legal name of the dealer, GST details, payment amount and other relevant information.

The information on the receipt should also be consistent with the dealership's official details.

Avoid transferring a significant amount of money without receiving proper documentation.

Be careful with unusually large discounts

A huge discount can be tempting, particularly during festive seasons. But an unusually low price should also prompt you to ask why the offer is so different from what authorised dealers are quoting.

Before paying, confirm:

• Whether the showroom is authorised

• Whether the offer is officially applicable

• The exact on-road price

• All taxes and charges

• Booking and cancellation terms

• Warranty and service coverage

• The legal name of the entity receiving your payment

A discount is useful only when the transaction itself is legitimate.

Don't rely only on the showroom's appearance

A professional-looking showroom does not, by itself, prove that it is an authorised dealership.

Always verify the dealer independently through the manufacturer's official website or customer-care channel. This is especially important when dealing with unfamiliar dealerships or online advertisements offering unusually attractive prices.

A simple check can save you a lot of trouble

Buying a car involves spending a substantial amount of money, so a few minutes of verification can be extremely valuable.

Before booking your next car, check the dealer on the manufacturer's official website, ask for proof of authorisation if necessary, confirm suspicious offers with the company and insist on a proper receipt for every payment.

Don't let an attractive discount rush you into a decision. First make sure you're buying from the right dealer.