Private sellers. Dealers. Naturally, both can offer benefits and drawbacks alike when choosing who to purchase from. However, this shouldn’t be a decision that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and unsure. In line with this thought, today, we’re looking at whether you should buy privately or from a dealer. Hopefully, this will allow you to make an informed decision regarding your car purchase.
Private Purchase or Dealership?
Both private sellers and dealers can offer good solutions. However, which is right for you? Well, this question is relatively easy to answer by considering the main pros of each option.
Choosing a Private Seller.
While buying from a dealer is appealing, there are a couple of drawbacks to consider. Most notably, buying privately often comes with a lower price tag. Naturally, dealers want to make a profit on the cars they sell. As such, they may add a slight commission or profit margin on top of the normal price. In addition, private sellers are more likely to know more of the car’s history than dealers. This can help you understand how the car has worked more thoroughly.
Of course, you won’t have the benefit of warranties and certifications with private sellers. However, you could always run a car history check before buying; this allows you to see MOT history, mileage records, stolen and write-off status, and whatnot before you agree. In turn, though not a specific guarantee, it can help you make a more informed choice.
Buying From a Car Dealer.
Now, for many people, buying from a dealer will be easiest. As such, this could be well worth keeping in mind. Naturally, dealerships often provide a wider selection of vehicles than a single private seller. What’s more, the vehicles you purchase from a dealer will usually come with certifications and warranties. This further helps verify their authenticity. What’s more, your chosen car dealer will typically handle the paperwork, making the buying process smoother and quicker.
In addition to these factors, there’s another key benefit: dealers may also offer financing options. After all, a second-hand car is still a significant expense. As such, choosing to buy with a dealer where financing’s available can help. This may make the purchase a lot easier to justify and afford. And, while there may be ways to obtain a loan to buy privately, this may not be quite as simple.
Furthermore, when you buy through a specific brand’s dealership, you may also benefit from in-house servicing. This can make it safer to buy and offers somewhere to get repairs, MOTs, and the like going forward. After all, a garage that knows the ins and outs of your specific car model can really help!
Final Thoughts
In many cases, finding the right type of car to buy second-hand can seem tricky. Just one such factor to account for is who you buy from. Indeed, both private sellers and professional dealerships can be good options to consider; the specific benefits and which is right for you, though, will naturally depend on your personal requirements. So, be sure to weigh up today’s key pros and cons to help find the most suitable solution for your needs.
