4 Reasons to Buy a Used Car From a Dealership

A dealership’s reputation, warranty options, and mechanical expertise may make buyers feel more confident about pulling out the checkbook. Plus, dealers typically handle all the paperwork associated with buying a car. Dealerships often try to lure buyers with promises of low monthly payments. If this is your goal, get preapproved for a loan before visiting the dealership.

They Have a Wide Selection

If you’re looking for a particular car and are still looking for it on the private market, buying from a dealership may help. Many online shopping tools let you search used Kia cars in Santa Ana listings and from dealers nationwide. Dealerships are also usually open to negotiating prices, which can save you money. When calculating your offer, they’ll consider your budget and other costs like financing or insurance rates.

Consider additional options or fees when comparing prices, such as paint and fabric protection, rust-proofing, or extra security systems. These items can add up and increase the price of the vehicle significantly. If you plan to finance your purchase, shop around for the best rate and get preapproved before heading to the dealership. This will give you a clear idea of your budget and make the negotiations easier. Plus, paying a used car loan can help you build or rebuild your credit.

They Can Help You With Financing

Dealerships can offer financing or work with a lender to get your loan. This can be very convenient because you can care for everything in one place. However, you should be aware that dealerships typically make their money through the finance company, so if you go this route, you will likely pay more in interest than if you went with a bank or credit union on your own.

Dealers also have access to special promotions from the auto manufacturer that might include 0% interest rates or cash back. However, these are usually only available for brand-new cars and customers with squeaky-clean credit.

Some dealerships also offer their in-house financing, which they refer to as buy here, pay here. This differs from dealership-arranged financing, which means the dealership contacts outside banks to find you a loan, often for borrowers with poorer credit scores.

They Can Help You Trade In Your Old Car

A dealership can make the process of selling your old car much easier. They can handle all the paperwork and fees, which is much less stressful than trying to do it yourself. They can also help you with your trade-in value, which can be a big deal when buying a used vehicle.

Knowing its estimated value is vital before going to a dealer to get a good value for your car. This can save you a lot of time, money, and frustration. It’s also helpful to bring any service records with you. This will show the dealer that you took great care of your vehicle, which may help increase its value.

If you want to sell your old car quickly, consider trading it in during a season when the dealership sees a high demand for that particular model. They will be more willing to work with you to meet that demand, which can lead to a better deal for you.

They Can Help You With the Paperwork

Buying a used car is a big purchase, and doing homework is important. If a dealership has an excellent reputation for selling reliable vehicles, they can make the entire process easier.

Dealerships must also display a Buyer’s Guide sticker on each used car for sale. This will tell you whether the car is being sold as is if any warranties are available, and what parts of the vehicle are covered. If you’re planning to buy a used car, be sure to test drive it several times and bring someone to help you evaluate it for any mechanical problems.