Nowadays, with so many quality, certified used vehicles on the market, you’ll find it isn’t always necessary to buy a brand new car. However, when it comes to buying used, there’s an important decision you need to make: whether to buy from a used car dealership or a private seller.
As one of the region’s leading used and new car dealerships, 1000 Islands Toyota in Brockville has helped equip hundreds of customers across Eastern Ontario with their dream car. Read on for some of the insights we’ve gained from that experience!
Purchasing a pre-owned vehicle from a car dealership can provide the same experience as buying a new car. Certified used vehicles often come with manufacturer guarantees and original warranties. Buying from a dealership offers a number of different benefits you won’t find elsewhere, such as:
Trust & Accountability: Unlike private sellers, a used car dealership has a high-profile public reputation to maintain - a dealership that’s been around for a while has likely developed a good one. Buying a used vehicle from a dealership will ensure that they’ll be accountable for any issues that arise and can be trusted to find a solution in a timely manner. When you buy from a dealership like 1000 Islands Toyota, there are no surprises down the road.
Warranty: You won’t find comprehensive warranties when buying from a private seller. However, at a dealership, most pre-owned vehicles will come with one type of certified warranty or another. This certification offers peace of mind that the original manufacturer will still help take care of your car, even if you are the second or third owner. Many warranties will offer comprehensive maintenance and parts replacement up to a certain mileage or age, helping you save even more.
Easy Paperwork Process: Handling all the paperwork when purchasing a private used vehicle can be a headache, but a dealership will handle every aspect of the paperwork for you. There’s no need to track down credit reports, or Car Proof reports and previous owner info; your dealership does it all. You’ll never have to track down the title and process it yourself, saving you time and quite a headache.
Wide Inventory: Last, but certainly not least, visiting a used car dealership to purchase your used vehicle can often provide you with a wider range of cars to choose from. For those without a clear idea of the type of used car they want, checking out your local dealership is a great way to get some good ideas. It’s also a good way to get an idea of the different options out there that suit your budget range. 1000 Islands Toyota will even search other dealerships on your behalf to find the perfect vehicle for your needs.
When it comes to buying a new car, some drivers prefer private sellers because it can offer benefits like lower costs and make the decision much easier. Visiting a used car dealership can certainly be daunting with the number of choices available and some prefer to keep it simple.
There are many reasons people choose to buy from a private seller, but there can be drawbacks:
Easy & Quick Decision-Making: Sometimes the process can seem more straightforward in a private sale, with a quick timeline from beginning to end. However, this can also mean less of a paper trail if something is wrong with the vehicle, and fewer opportunities for recourse. The decision making process may also feel quicker in a private sale because there are fewer options available. If there are only 1 or 2 vehicles to choose from, it can be hard to know whether the final purchase will meet your needs.
Lower Prices: Prices can be lower with private sellers, especially when the seller is looking to move quickly on a sale. Often, you’ll be able to find a vehicle that looks like a good deal. However, the lower price may be the result of minimal or no factory warranty being left on the vehicle. In addition, you won’t necessarily get the benefit of guidance from a knowledgeable and certified salesperson.
Less Seller Accountability: One of the leading drawbacks of buying from a private seller is that they’re not as accountable as dealerships over the long term. This means that if parts fail after you buy your used car, you may end up with a lemon that costs thousands to repair or replace. Often, once you drive the vehicle home and the sale is final, there’s not a whole lot you can do.
Car dealerships have to protect their reputation and standing in the community, and their staff care about making sure your vehicle is in working order. They will be there for you over the long term in a way that private sellers usually aren’t.
More Paperwork: As mentioned above, when buying a used car you may be responsible for gathering and processing all of the necessary paperwork involved. This means that you’ll have to perform any vehicle checks on your own, as well as obtain the deed and perform the title transfer yourself, both of which cost money and can be time-consuming.
Contact us for more about finding a used or new vehicle in Brockville
When it comes to finding a quality used or new car in Brockville, the team from 1000 Islands Toyota has all of today’s top models to choose from. In addition to our vehicle sales, we also operate a full-service body shop and service center, and many of our used vehicles come with extensive warranties.
Additionally, we offer Car Proof reports for all of our pre-owned vehicles to ensure you get what you pay for. 1000 Islands Toyota is committed to offering an affordable, pleasant car-buying experience, plus frequent service specials on items like tire and brake services.
To learn more about our inventory of new and used cars, or our maintenance and repair services, contact us online today or call (613) 342-9111.
