Buying a Used Car in Vancouver: Dealer vs. Individual

When it comes to buying a used car in Vancouver, you have a couple of choices as to where you can purchase used autos. Vancouver dealerships are one option, but you can also buy from the individual owners. Some people aren’t sure which option is best, so let’s take a closer look at the two.

Individual Seller

The individual who is selling his car is likely doing it because he has a new vehicle, needs the money or there is something wrong with the car. These vehicles are usually listed online or in the newspaper in classified ads and can seem quite appealing because they may list vehicles that are not as readily available at a dealership. Another good point is that vehicles sold by individuals are usually cheaper than dealers.

However, there is a downside. It’s in the seller’s best interests to keep any previous accidents or non-obvious issues with the car hidden so you will pay more. A common scenario is purchasing a vehicle and then finding a serious defect a few days or weeks down the road, when the deal is already final.

Used Autos Vancouver Dealers

A dealership has the resources to check over the cars they take on and offer for sale. If they have an on-site garage, they will fix any issues and if you find something new, you can usually have this taken care of quickly.

One of the biggest advantages of buying a used car in Vancouver from a dealership is that they will often offer a warranty, which covers many problems you might otherwise encounter after the purchase. When you are buying used cars, Vancouver dealers are usually the better choice.