How do you know which used car dealers to trust?
Discussion
Word of mouth from people you trust, read reviews.
I will say though that sometimes people bend the truth when they moan in reviews so take it with a pinch of salt.
If you’re really concerned about a car you’re looking at, see if they’ll let you have an aa inspection or something similar.
I will say though that sometimes people bend the truth when they moan in reviews so take it with a pinch of salt.
If you’re really concerned about a car you’re looking at, see if they’ll let you have an aa inspection or something similar.
Just assume that they are all awful, all lying in some way about the car, and that the warranty (unless manufacturer backed) is worthless.
I’m not suggesting all used dealers are useless, nor that you shouldn’t buy from one, but if you assume the worst and thus perform your due diligence with this in mind, you are less likely to be stung by something you could have caught before signing on the dotted.
I’m not suggesting all used dealers are useless, nor that you shouldn’t buy from one, but if you assume the worst and thus perform your due diligence with this in mind, you are less likely to be stung by something you could have caught before signing on the dotted.
The dealers who gives you the keys and tell you to take as long a test drive as you want, and then makes no attempt to hard sell you anything, and makes no attempt to tell you how great the car is, only give factual information, and allows you to make your own decision with no pressure, they are the ones I trust.
The person selling the car is just as important to judge as the car itself and I think you get that instant gut feeling when you first meet them.
It has worked for me so far with both main dealers and the small guy.
The person selling the car is just as important to judge as the car itself and I think you get that instant gut feeling when you first meet them.
It has worked for me so far with both main dealers and the small guy.
Tbh there’s not much to see on purchase anyway. Check history, bodywork etc but unless you can take a ramp with you to fully inspect and get a few hours test drive your not going to find out much.
Usually just from the online advert I get the feeling whether to keep looking elsewhere or not.
Or if its a more performance orientated/ rare car post the advert up on the model owners website/FB see if anyone knows the car.
Usually just from the online advert I get the feeling whether to keep looking elsewhere or not.
Or if its a more performance orientated/ rare car post the advert up on the model owners website/FB see if anyone knows the car.
As mentioned above, assume everything they say may be a lie. You need to check and double check all the details yourself, ask to see the history, ask for a pic of certain options that are important to you, a dealer saying it has these things is not enough.
Not saying all dealers will lie to you but you have got to look after your own interests because you can be sure they are looking after theirs.
Not saying all dealers will lie to you but you have got to look after your own interests because you can be sure they are looking after theirs.
Maybe I'm too trusting but I think most established dealers are okay. Its not in their interests to sell dodgy cars and they'd soon be out of business. However, there are good and bad cars and to be fair many dealers won't spot complex or potential issues which can occur down the line. It's all about after service if problems arise which you may get from reviews.
I know lots of people go for distance sales now to get better deals but I've always tried to buy fairly local so I don't have far to go back if necessary. Its worked well for me so far. My last two cars were from long established dealers in my home town.
I haven't bought privately for a while. But I did sell my last two cars privately. Although I did get better than trade price for them it was a stressful experience. Seems many private buyers expect dealer levels of service and also like to poke round your car for much longer than any dealer would put up with. They then feel like a hefty discount is obligatory. One even called me 6 months later to complain that the battery had died on a 10 year old car!
I know lots of people go for distance sales now to get better deals but I've always tried to buy fairly local so I don't have far to go back if necessary. Its worked well for me so far. My last two cars were from long established dealers in my home town.
I haven't bought privately for a while. But I did sell my last two cars privately. Although I did get better than trade price for them it was a stressful experience. Seems many private buyers expect dealer levels of service and also like to poke round your car for much longer than any dealer would put up with. They then feel like a hefty discount is obligatory. One even called me 6 months later to complain that the battery had died on a 10 year old car!
I've bought quite a few cars in my time, understatement...
My worst experience was with a Bmw main dealer, closely followed by an Audi main dealer.
As stated already above, focus on the car it's self.
Even poor dealers get some good cars, along with the "not so good" ones.
My worst experience was with a Bmw main dealer, closely followed by an Audi main dealer.
As stated already above, focus on the car it's self.
Even poor dealers get some good cars, along with the "not so good" ones.
Edited by Trevor555 on Sunday 30th October 10:19
Edited by Trevor555 on Sunday 30th October 10:20
Do your research, go in with eyes open. Both trade and private purchases have had serious issues appear once I've got the car home. Don't bother with a warranty unless it's a new Range Rover, put the money towards a repair fund. Keep a copy of all relevant adverts, text messages correspondence etc which may contain details of the car you've bought - details which later may turn out to be factually inaccurate. Basically cover your arse. I've just won a £3000 small claims case against dealer, my second sc case in 10 years. Remember your legal rights are different for a private sale, which is why I rarely bother.
Not sure there's much you can do beyond spotting the obviously dodgy ones. All I do is check over the car, and its history, as much as I can prior to purchase. A pre purchase inspection is a good idea too. Then, if I decide to buy, I try to be even more thorough going over everything in the first 30 days, when I still have the right to reject.
With prices similar between private and dealer sales, I'd always feel more comfortable with the consumer protection that comes with the latter.
With prices similar between private and dealer sales, I'd always feel more comfortable with the consumer protection that comes with the latter.
Acuity30 said:
I've always bought private but these days private and trade sellers seem to want the same prices whereas before you could snatch a bargain from a private seller. However how do you know which used car dealers are just out to sell you a lemon and which are genuine?
You judge the car your buying not the dealer, even the best dealers in the world will have sold a few lemons it's the law of averages.So do your checks as you would do when buying private & you'll be fine.
paradigital said:
Just assume that they are all awful, all lying in some way about the car, and that the warranty (unless manufacturer backed) is worthless.
I’m not suggesting all used dealers are useless, nor that you shouldn’t buy from one, but if you assume the worst and thus perform your due diligence with this in mind, you are less likely to be stung by something you could have caught before signing on the dotted.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^I’m not suggesting all used dealers are useless, nor that you shouldn’t buy from one, but if you assume the worst and thus perform your due diligence with this in mind, you are less likely to be stung by something you could have caught before signing on the dotted.
This. Very much this.
It's really hard, in our small experience.
We're not used to buying used cars so have tried small dealers for our last two. Both tried, one is still trying to scam us over a knackered car.
It's hard. Knowing the Consumer credit act is good, as is getting a proper inspection of the car.
Either way we are going to use a car broker next time.
Know the law and how to use it in your favor is the best thing I could mention. Make it know at point of sale.
We're not used to buying used cars so have tried small dealers for our last two. Both tried, one is still trying to scam us over a knackered car.
It's hard. Knowing the Consumer credit act is good, as is getting a proper inspection of the car.
Either way we are going to use a car broker next time.
Know the law and how to use it in your favor is the best thing I could mention. Make it know at point of sale.
FastEdd11e said:
It's really hard, in our small experience.
We're not used to buying used cars so have tried small dealers for our last two. Both tried, one is still trying to scam us over a knackered car.
It's hard. Knowing the Consumer credit act is good, as is getting a proper inspection of the car.
Either way we are going to use a car broker next time.
Know the law and how to use it in your favor is the best thing I could mention. Make it know at point of sale.
Consumer Rights (2015) !We're not used to buying used cars so have tried small dealers for our last two. Both tried, one is still trying to scam us over a knackered car.
It's hard. Knowing the Consumer credit act is good, as is getting a proper inspection of the car.
Either way we are going to use a car broker next time.
Know the law and how to use it in your favor is the best thing I could mention. Make it know at point of sale.
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