Buying Used Cars From Individuals Vs. Dealerships

Recently a friend of mine was searching for used cars fort worth and asked me what I thought about buying a used car from an individual versus buying from a dealership.

That wasn?t the first time I heard that question and I doubt it will be the last. Thanks to the internet making it incredibly easy to buy used cars, many have abandoned dealerships all together. While there are certainly benefits to buying from individuals, there are also some issues that people should be wary of.

Rather than giving my friend a concrete answer, I worked with him to find the benefits of each method. Here?s what we found:

Benefits of buying used cars from a private seller:

Affordability ? individuals are often in a hurry to sell their vehicle so are sometimes more willing to give you a better deal. That being said, you should always research used car pricing online at a place like Kelly Blue Book to make sure you really are getting a bargain.

Ease of Interaction ? dealing with a salesperson can be stressful for some people, even if they are getting a good deal. By buying a car from a private seller, you won?t have to worry about being pressured into buying.

Knowledge of Specific Vehicle ? the owner of a vehicle is a great source of information about the history of the vehicle and might be better suited to answer your questions than a salesperson at a car dealership.

Benefits of buying from a dealership:

Warranty ? Many used car dealerships are able to offer extended warranties on the vehicles they sell. This can be a huge safety net to prevent you from buying a used car only to have it brake down months later.

Vehicle Inspections ? used cars that are sold at dealerships are thoroughly inspected to make sure they are in excellent working condition. Specifically look for certified used cars which have passed rigid manufacturer inspects to confirm that they are in excellent condition. The mechanical knowledge of a reputable dealership is generally far higher than that of an individual buyer.

Trust ? in order to stay in business, auto dealerships must present their vehicles honestly and maintain trust with their buyers. Unless you know the seller, private transactions can be risky. What if the car you buy has been stolen, has a lean on it, or has been damaged in way that you can?t notice on your own? There is nothing to stop a less than honest person to sell you a bad vehicle and disappear into the night.

It?s ultimately up to you which route you decide to take when buying your vehicle. After examining the list we created my friend went down to his fort worth ford dealer and got an excellent used car at a great price. He told me that even though he might save a few dollars by buying from a private seller, he liked knowing that he got his car from a reputable dealership that had inspected his car for problems.

I wish you the best of luck in your used car buying.