Can you imagine a life without motor vehicles? It’s hard. That’s because cars are everywhere, and drivers have been using them for a long time.
With that being said, it’s pretty likely that you will need to purchase a vehicle at some point. More people purchase used vehicles than new ones. In fact, between dealership sales and private-party sales, roughly 40 million used cars exchange hands each year. With that in mind, you’ll probably end up at a used car dealership one day. There are loads of used car dealerships out there, and it can be hard to find just the right one. Here are three signs that you’ve found a dealer that you can trust.
Word of mouth goes a long way. If you’ve heard bad things about a dealer, especially from more than one person, then that dealer probably isn’t so great. If the dealer has great reviews on their site and a good reputation with the community, then odds are you can trust them.
Everyone is out there to make some money, and used car dealers are no different. While they want to keep their business alive, they should not be trying to rip their customers off. If you compare their prices with other dealers in the area that have a similar inventory, and they are similar, they are good to go.
This one may sound silly, but gut feelings are typically correct. If you are not picking up any red flags about the dealer, then they are probably a good choice. They should make you feel comfortable, and the salespeople should be helpful. If they try to pressure you or use sketchy tactics to sell you a car, they are most likely not very trustworthy.
There are tons of pre-owned dealerships out there for you to buy a car from, and it can be hard to find the right one. Make sure they have a good reputation, have fair pricing, and don’t give you a bad gut feeling, then you can probably trust them.
FAQs
4 Signs You've Found a Trustworthy Dealership
- Salespeople Who Listen. In commission-based businesses, a bigger sale means more money in their pockets (a situation that can take the focus away from the customer's needs). ...
- No Bait and Switch. ...
- Reliable Information. ...
- Positive Reviews.
The Red Flags Rule (the Rule), enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), requires automobile dealers to develop and implement a written identity theft prevention program designed to identify, detect, and respond to warning signs—known as “red flags”—that indicate that a customer or potential customer could be ...
What not to tell a used car dealer? ›
Eliminating the following statements when you buy a car can help you negotiate a better deal.
- 'I love this car! ' ...
- 'I've got to have a monthly payment of $350. ' ...
- 'My lease is up next week. ' ...
- 'I want $10,000 for my trade-in, and I won't take a penny less. ' ...
- 'I've been looking all over for this color. '
But by looking at the TMV or the Edmunds Suggested Price, you can get a rough idea of how popular the vehicle is and what you should expect to pay for it. If you already have a quote from the dealership, use the Edmunds Price Checker to help determine if you're getting a good deal.
How do I avoid getting scammed when buying a used car? ›
Tips for avoiding scams when buying a car
Keep your money safe by following these tips: Always have the car inspected. After you test drive the car yourself, get it inspected by a mechanic you trust. Additionally, bring someone you trust along when visiting the seller.
How do you know if a used car is good to buy? ›
Test drive the car
- Tires: How old are they? Are they even? ...
- Brakes: Are they making any weird noises? Do they feel smooth?
- Is there anything leaking or steaming?
- Does the AC actually work?
- Do your lights all work?
- Do the doors, windows and lids open and close properly?
- How does the engine sound when turned on?
Car manufacturers generally require deal- ers to complete a retail delivery report (RDR) about every purchase or lease transaction.
Why do car dealerships have huge flags? ›
Car dealerships use car flags on the vehicles on the lot to create a bright and dynamic display that attracts customers. Some dealerships will place car flags on a few cars on the front line, while other dealers use one car flag on each and every vehicle for maximum impact.
What things do car dealerships do to hide how poor a car might be? ›
Parking the vehicle in a way to conceal defects
For example, if the car has dents or scratches on the bumper they may park it right up against a wall so you cannot see the extent of the damage. Before you buy, tell the salesperson that you want the car moved so you can take a full look around.
What is the best day of the week to buy a car? ›
Monday is usually the best day of the week to buy a car. This is when showrooms will be the least busy, which means you'll likely get more time and attention from the sales staff and have more time to go on test-drives. Edmunds suggests Tuesday is a better option than Monday if the car dealership is closed on Sunday.
Here are nine things you DON'T want to do at the car lot.
- DON'T GO IN CONFRONTATIONAL. ...
- DON'T WALK IN WITH NO IDEA WHAT YOU WANT. ...
- DON'T GO TO THE LOT BEFORE YOU'VE DONE YOUR RESEARCH. ...
- DON'T SKIP THE TEST DRIVE. ...
- DON'T SKIP THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS. ...
- DON'T SKIP GETTING PRE-APPROVED FOR A CAR LOAN.
Always have a mechanic inspect a used car before buying it. Ask for the repair records. If the dealership doesn't want to provide it, then buy your car elsewhere. You can check a vehicle's prior registration history by using a vehicle history report search service like Carfax (www.carfax.com).
How do you know if a dealer is trustworthy? ›
Word of mouth goes a long way. If you've heard bad things about a dealer, especially from more than one person, then that dealer probably isn't so great. If the dealer has great reviews on their site and a good reputation with the community, then odds are you can trust them.
Is it OK to haggle at a car dealership? ›
Can you ask a car dealer to lower the price? Yes, you can negotiate on the price of a car. However, it helps to do your research on the vehicle's fair market value and out-the-door price beforehand so that you know how much room you have to haggle.
How to negotiate car price when paying cash? ›
Negotiate the Final Price
Just make sure to back up your offer with compelling facts. For example, if you want to offer $5,000 less than the vehicle's MSRP, come prepared with information indicating that the vehicle's fair market value is slightly lower than what the seller is charging.
What can I do if a dealership basically scammed me? ›
Contact State Agencies. If, after speaking with the dealer, your situation is still not resolved, you may want to contact state agencies. Many states have government programs designed to monitor and regulate auto dealers.
How do you find the dealer's true cost of a new car? ›
Use this formula to calculate the cost: Invoice price − dealer holdback − factory-to-dealer incentive = dealer cost.
How do I check if a VIN is legit? ›
CheckThatVIN is the accurate one-stop site for trusted used car VIN searches and used car title history information.
How do I verify MSRP? ›
MSRP VIN lookup can be performed through various online resources, automotive websites, or directly through the manufacturer's website using the vehicle's VIN.
