Buying a Used Car From a Dealership vs. Private Seller

When you’re looking for a quality yet affordable used vehicle, you have a choice between buying a used car from a dealership and a private seller in McComb. Many car shoppers choose to buy their cars privately because they think they’ll get a better price, but that’s not always the case. It’s certainly possible to find a great offer on a car being sold privately, but ultimately, buying from a dealership will save you time, hassle, and possibly, money in Hammond. 

Read on to learn more about the difference between buying a used car from a dealership and buying from a private seller.

Buying from a Private Seller: Pros & Cons 

Pros:

• Owner’s Perspective: Private sellers have first-hand knowledge of a car’s smallest imperfections, so assuming they’re 100% honest with you, they can give you a good idea of what to expect from the vehicle. 
• Niche Market: If you’re searching for very a specific make and model, you might have an easier time locating exactly what you’re looking for if you deal with a private seller. You typically won’t find rare, classic, customized, or historic vehicles for sale at a dealership. If you’re looking for a rebuilt car from the 1950s, a private seller is the way to go.

Cons:

• No Coverage/Protection: If you buy a vehicle from a private seller, there’s no warranty protection available should the car break down. Even if it breaks down the same day, you’re 100% responsible for the repair bill. Usually, car dealerships offer some form of warranty coverage on a used car, so you’ll be covered if anything happens after you buy it. 
• Iffy-at-Best Service History: Also, there may be little to no record of repairs and maintenance performed on the car, which means it could’ve been years since its last tune-up. 

Buying from a Dealership: Pros & Cons 

Pros: 

• Competitive Prices/Wide Selection: Dealerships price their used vehicles according to market values, and those prices can also be negotiated. You can also browse a wide selection of different types of used cars at our Prentiss-area dealership.
• Service & Parts Centers: At Mike Whatley Honda, you can keep your used car in great condition for years to come, thanks to our cutting-edge service and parts centers. 
• Certified Pre-Owned Inventory: Unlike private sellers, you can find certified pre-owned (CPO) models at dealerships. Certified Pre-Owned Honda vehicles are pre-owned but offer warranty coverage, roadside assistance, special CPO financing, and more. Plus, the dealership has reconditioned CPO vehicles to be in as close to like-new condition as possible. For example, we are a Mississppi Honda dealer who carries CPO Honda models. 
• Trade-Ins: Have a car you’d like to sell? When you buy from a dealership, you can value your trade on your current vehicle, trade it in, then put your earnings toward the price of the car you want to buy. 

Cons: 

• Financing: Most car shoppers who purchase cars from dealers finance their purchases, and some look at this fact as a negative aspect of buying from dealerships. While the most cost-effective way to buy a car is to pay in cash, that’s not always possible for car buyers. That’s where financing comes in, which private sellers cannot handle. So, financing is actually a positive when you want a quality used vehicle.

Shop Used Cars for Sale at Mike Whatley Honda! 

Now you know about buying a used car from a dealer vs. a private seller. Ready for the next steps? Our Brookhaven Honda dealer also features a wide selection of used cars for sale for you to peruse. We invite you to contact us or call (601) 990-5166 to schedule a test drive at our Mississippi Honda dealer.