Buying a Used Car from a Dealership vs. Private Seller: Pros and Cons 

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Want to know whether it’s better to buy from a used car dealership or a private seller? Check out these detailed pros and cons of each option!

When it comes to buying a used car, there are many things to consider. The biggest decision will be whether to buy from a dealership or a private buyer. The truth is, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. The trick is to find out where you are comfortable and to go with the most trustworthy option. Here’s what you need to know. 

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Dealership Pros

Dealerships are typically a more reliable source for a used vehicle purchase. This is because they are highly regulated, bound by legal standards, and generally have higher accountability owing to preserving reputation and revenue. The main advantages are listed here. 

Straightforward Admin

Used car purchases come with a lot of paperwork and administration to navigate. When you opt for a dealership sale, this is all taken care of and often includes things like driving away insurance until you get a policy up and running too. So, you have less to think about, and there are fewer margins for costly mistakes. 

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A Wide Selection

You can find reputable dealerships in all 50 states which means the selection is constantly flowing and somewhat infinite. As a buyer, this is a definite pro because there are more vehicles to pick from and an easier process to find what you need. 

Legal Protection

The best thing about dealerships is undeniably the legal protection that comes with this type of sale. When compared to a private seller, dealerships are highly accountable for how they practice and the way they serve customers. They will always adhere to the legal standards set forth by the state and this is protective for you. 

dealership
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Dealership Cons

Of course, nothing is ever perfect and there will always be a disadvantage or two to think about as well. 

Higher Prices

The main thing about buying from a dealership is that the price may be higher than what you would find from a private listing. Thankfully, there are ways to negotiate on the asking price though it may be harder to get a dealership to shift on what they are asking for. 

Private Seller Pros

For private sales, the advantages are less notable but still worth mentioning. 

Better Price Potential

There is always going to be the potential for a better price. It is worthwhile shopping around and you may just find that there are a bunch of private listings offering the same car at a far better price than what you could find at a dealership center. This is a big motivating factor for some buyers with a tighter budget to work with. 

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Private Seller Cons

The cons, however, are slightly longer and also highly important. There are always risks to consider when it comes to private car sales including scams and lack of accountability which may put you in a detrimental position. 

High Risk of Faulty Vehicle Sale

It is never completely possible to acquire all the information you need about a car from a private listing. The seller may fail to submit documentation or refuse to state what work has been done and so on. While you should be able to find this out online, it is never a good sign. 

Harder to Protect Yourself Legally

You are also more vulnerable to scams and losing money. After the sale, if something goes wrong, you are legally responsible for the vehicle, and it is far more difficult to get the private seller to take any liability once money has been exchanged. 

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Final Thoughts on Used Car or Private Seller

It is generally a better option for novice buyers to opt for the dealership option but is a great choice for seasoned car owners as well. Private buyers have their place, but it is harder to know whether the purchase is a reliable one. 

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John Miller
 

John Miller is a cars enthusiast who loves writing anything related to automobiles. He is a passionate blogger writing for innovatecar.com and other auto blogs