WHY YOU SHOULD BUY YOUR CAR FROM A FRANCHISED DEALER

Buying a new (or used) car can be a potential minefield for shoppers looking for their next car. Makes, models, specs, prices are enough to confuse any buyer, not to mention whether you should buy privately or with a franchised dealer. As a car is likely to be the second most expensive thing you’ll buy in your adult life (after a house), you’ll want to make sure you do it properly.

Here are four benefits from buying your car from a franchised dealer:

1. More Choice

Buying a car from a dealership can give a buyer much more choice than buying from a private seller. Dealers will have many different makes and models for you to choose from and if you’re not sure what you want, then you can take advantage of the salesperson’s expertise. Their unrivalled knowledge of cars will help you find the perfect one to suit your needs.

2. Easier to Finance

It may be more difficult for you to arrange a loan or finance when you’re buying your car from a private seller.

Some banks are reluctant to approve finance as they believe that a private seller may not accurately describe the car’s condition to a buyer as they don’t have the same reputation to uphold as a franchised dealer. So, if a buyer finances a car with serious problems and walks away from the loan, then the bank is left with a worthless car.

Franchised dealerships, on the other hand, will be able to offer you a number of attractive financing options to help you buy your next car. They can also explain to you the benefits of each option so that you can find the best deal to suit your budget.

3. Dealer Reputation

A dealership relies on its good reputation so they are unlikely to sell you a car that has major problems. Dealers have ready access to all the tools needed to check a vehicle’s condition and inspect it thoroughly before it’s sold to a buyer. That way, you won’t fall victim to frequently-used scams, such as:

  • Clocking – when the odometer on a car is deliberately adjusted so that the mileage looks lower than it actually is.
  • Cut and shut – hiding the damage when a car has been written off by welding two cars together.
  • Cloning – changing the identity of a car (often stolen) to disguise it by swapping number plates, registration documents and even the vehicle identification number.

4. Good Timing

If you time it cleverly, you could negotiate a bargain when buying from a franchised dealership. For example, it’s generally cheaper to buy a car in the winter, with Christmas-time falling perfectly in the middle of new registration plate changes. So, with a bit of patience, you may be able to find a better price from a dealership rather than a private seller.

When buying your next car, don’t let your fear of the car salesperson stereotype put you off from buying from a franchised dealer. Their expertise can help you find the perfect car for you, as well as doing all the relevant checks and helping you decide on finance options. Their knowledge can guide you so you’re safe in the knowledge that you’re spending your money wisely.