Buying a Used Car: Private Seller or Dealer?

A vehicle is a big purchase! When you take the step to purchase one, it’s important to know you’re buying from someone trustworthy. If you’re looking for a used vehicle, you have two main buying options: dealerships and private sellers.

If you’re on a tight budget, you may get a better deal with a private seller. However, dealerships ensure used vehicles meet specific quality standards before they leave the lot. That being said, both options have their pros and cons – it’s really about what’s right for you and your unique situation.

Read on for 10 reasons why a trusted dealership is better than a private seller and where you can buy a used vehicle here in Manitoba.

10 REASONS WHY A DEALERSHIP IS BETTER THAN A PRIVATE SELLER

1. One-stop shop. A dealership has it all in one place – a big inventory to shop, the opportunity to test drive, the paperwork to secure financing and professionals available to walk you through closing the deal.

2. Quality. When buying a used car from a dealership, you can feel confident you won’t be sold a damaged or unsafe vehicle. By law, dealerships must make sure their vehicles meet safety inspections before leaving the lot, so you’ll know the car you’re buying has met a specific set of quality standards.

3. Warranty guarantee. One thing private sellers won’t offer is a warranty guarantee. Even though the vehicle is used, dealerships typically offer a warranty package that covers certain parts and services. This guarantee provides a bit more security when making a large vehicle purchase.

4. More vehicle options. When you buy from a private seller, they’re normally only selling one specific vehicle. A dealership will have plenty of vehicle options on the lot for you to choose from, giving you the chance to inspect and test drive multiple models without travelling from place to place.

5. Safety inspection. Dealerships are obligated to conduct a safety inspection on all their vehicles and they must provide the vehicle history report with purchase. This ensures the vehicle meets safety and quality standards and you can trust you’re driving a reliable vehicle. If you buy privately and the owner doesn’t provide the vehicle history, you could be stuck with unwanted surprises.

6. Financial benefits. If you’re planning on financing your vehicle, going through a dealership makes more sense than buying from a private seller. A private seller will normally require you to pay for the vehicle in full upfront or you’ll have to get an auto loan through a bank and handle the paperwork yourself. At a dealership, they can provide financing options including in-house financing if you have less than perfect credit – something we offer at Birchwood Credit.

7. Flexible payments. Dealerships offer a lot more flexibility when it comes to payment terms and payment plans. They have the ability to accommodate your payments to your financial situation and budget.

8. Trade-in. If you already own a vehicle and are looking to upgrade, many trusted dealerships in Winnipeg have trade-in programs that allow you to use your current vehicle as a down payment toward a newer one. When you buy a used car from a private seller, you’d most likely have to sell your current vehicle first before buying another one.

9. Safe transaction. Buying a car at a dealership eliminates many of the safety concerns surrounding a private seller transaction. Sometimes you don’t know who or what you’re dealing with until things go wrong. When buying from a dealership, the transaction and transfer of funds are much more secure.

10. Reputation. Most dealerships have something to lose if they don’t follow through with their promises. A private seller doesn’t worry about reviews, referrals or negative feedback on social media. A dealership will go the extra mile to maintain its reputation and make sure your purchase goes smoothly.

WHERE TO BUY A USED VEHICLE IN MANITOBA

If you’re ready to get started, our team at Birchwood Credit can help you find a reliable used vehicle that meets your needs with financing options that meet your budget. Even if you have less-than-perfect credit, we’ll work with you to find an affordable loan option so you can get on the road as soon as possible!