10 Consider these points when deciding whether to purchase from a used car dealer: – Source of Cars: Used car dealers primarily acquire their inventory from auctions. Many cars at auctions are there because the previous owner didn’t want them, often due to underlying issues. While not all auctioned cars have problems, a significant portion do.
– Quality of Inventory: New car dealers often send trade-ins that are too old or incompatible with their inventory to auctions. Some of these vehicles can still be in decent condition. However, small used car dealers typically acquire the lowest quality cars from auctions. They may perform minimal repairs with cheap parts to maximize profit while making the car visually appealing. Be cautious; you might be buying a superficially improved but fundamentally flawed vehicle.
– Research and Reviews: Before considering a used car dealer, check online reviews and inspect their inventory. If they predominantly offer high resale value cars, they likely acquire quality vehicles at auction. Conversely, if their inventory consists mainly of low-priced cars, especially those under $10,000 or $5,000, it’s advisable to look elsewhere. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can make a more informed decision and potentially avoid purchasing a problematic vehicle.
