Are you ready to start the used car buying process in the Richmond, VA area? Then you’re likely considering whether you should purchase from a dealership or a private seller. While buying from a private seller may sound appealing, there are several advantages to buying a used car from a dealership.
Shopping at a dealership for a used vehicle provides you with a wider variety of inventory to choose from, as well as more transparency, additional protections, and financing options. Review some of the top benefits to help you begin the used car buying process.
If you buy a used car from a private seller, they’re typically only selling one vehicle. If you want more options to choose from, it’s up to you to find different sellers, which can be time-consuming.
Buying a used car from a dealership like Whitten Brothers Automotive means everything is in one place. We have a variety of vehicles in stock and available with the safety, entertainment, and other features you’re looking for. Because we have more inventory to choose from, you can test drive different makes and models of vehicles in one day. We also have Sales Advocates who can help educate you and help you find the perfect vehicle that best meets your needs.
You’ll have to pay the entire price upfront when buying from a private seller and paying in cash may be your only option. Arranging financing on a car from a private seller is often more of a challenge than arranging financing with a dealership. Some private sellers will even refuse to sell a vehicle to someone who intends to finance due to the added complications.
Dealerships offer used car financing options, which allow you to pay off the vehicle over time. You can obtain used car financing from Whitten Brothers Automotive that fits within your budget, even if you have less-than-stellar credit, and you’ll never have to worry about hidden fees. We do our homework to ensure you’re presented with a fair price from the start. Our team will also help you with all of the paperwork rather than you having to sort it all out yourself.
There are certain questions to ask when buying a used car:
Private sellers aren’t required to be transparent about the vehicle they’re selling, so you might not get the information needed to make an informed purchase decision.
Private sellers are also not required to provide you with a vehicle history report, and they can say no if you ask. Should you want to get the report for yourself, you can ask them for the vehicle identification number (VIN). Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for this report.
At Whitten Brothers Automotive, transparency is not just a promise. It’s our commitment to earning your trust, so you know you’re making a reliable purchase. You can review the vehicle history report, and we’ll tell you the mileage, number of previous drivers, if it’s been in any accidents, and other important information. Whitten Brothers Automotive also sells certified pre-owned, or CPO, inventory. CPO vehicles must meet certain manufacturer standards and often come with certain guarantees.
Vehicles sold by private sellers come “as is”, and there’s no option for warranties or any sort of protection. Once the purchase is complete, you’re responsible if anything happens to the vehicle. If it has problems, you will be stuck paying for costly repairs.
One of the pros of buying a used car from a dealership is that they sell cars that must meet certain standards. Whitten Brothers Automotive offers certain vehicle protections such as comprehensive warranty programs, extended warranties, interior and exterior protection packages, and more. After your purchase, you can return to our dealership service department to keep your vehicle running smoothly for as long as you own it.
Private sellers don’t usually accept trade-ins. If you currently have a vehicle, you’ll have to make additional plans for selling it yourself.
When you’re buying a used car from a dealer, you may be able to trade in your current vehicle, which can help offset the purchase cost by covering your down payment or lowering your monthly payments. You may even be able to trade in a vehicle that’s not yet paid off, or even one that has negative equity, when shopping at a Whitten Brothers Automotive dealership.
If you’re curious about what your current vehicle trade-in value is, get an instant estimate now.
When you’re ready to start the process of buying a used car in the Richmond, VA area, Whitten Brothers Automotive has you covered. We’re committed to providing you with a customer-focused and helpful experience to make your car-buying journey both memorable and enjoyable. We deliver upfront, competitive pricing to help you feel confident that you’re purchasing a vehicle for a fair price. You can use our payment calculator to determine what your monthly payment could be before you visit one of our dealerships.