One of the biggest benefits of buying a used car from a dealership is that you usually get a warranty. Dealerships are the preferred buying choice for Americans, with more than 61% favoring them. But not all car dealerships are as good as they should be. Here’s how to spot the good from the bad so you can rest assured when buying your next used set of wheels.

The cars aren’t all perfect

Used cars shouldn’t be perfect. They come complete with minor flaws which as a buyer you expect. If the entire dealership’s forecourt is packed full of cars with low mileage, pristine paintwork, and similar, something untoward may be going on. Rolled-back odometers are a common problem in America. Despite it being illegal to sell a vehicle with a rolled-back odometer, it’s estimated that around half a million vehicles are sold each year with them. So, if things look too good to be true at the dealership you’re visiting, it probably is.

It’s clean & tidy

A good car dealership should take pride in its business. It should be clean and tidy, particularly on the outside as this will give you your first impression. Cars are dust and dirt magnets and a freshly polished car will attract dust and dirt at a quicker rate than one that hasn’t been waxed in a while. This dust and dirt will make the forecourt look bad. Car dealerships should regularly hose down building walls with a commercial pressure washer. Graffiti is a common issue in New York City, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. However, it gives businesses a bad reputation, so there shouldn’t be any sight of it at the dealership you plan to buy from.

Salespeople don’t bombard you

Everyone knows that salespeople at car dealerships typically work on commission. Forbes reports that this commission can be as much as 25% of the profits made from the sale. It’s nice to be acknowledged by a salesperson and for them to let you know you can go to them if you need any help, but you don’t want to be followed around by them. This is a sign that the salesperson is more concerned about getting their commission than genuinely helping to find you the ideal used car. 

Good customer reviews

The benefit of the internet is that plenty of people leave online reviews. Before you think about making a purchase from a car dealership, check out reviews for the business online. Statistics show that 59% of people shopping for a car choose a dealership based on their reputation. This is a good thing to do as it gives you feedback based on real life experiences. You also get to find out about the level of customer service to expect, which is crucial if something goes wrong with your used car after a week or two.

Buying a used vehicle from a car dealership is great for having peace of mind over your purchase. But you do need to make sure that the dealer is reputable and trustworthy.