17 May 2019 · Motoring Tips & Advice

Private Sale vs. Used Car Dealer: Which is Best? | Phil Gilbert Toyota

Private Sale vs. Used Car Dealer: Which is Best?

Buying a car, new or used, is a big decision and it can be stressful worrying about whether you’re making the right choice. If you’re buying a used car from a private seller, it can be a case of ‘buyer beware’ so you need to be careful when doing your research. Once you’ve looked around online and decided what sort of car you’d like, it’s time to decide whether to buy from a dealer or take your chances and buy from a private seller. To help you choose, here’s our guide on the pros and cons of each.

Private Seller Pros

Purchasing a used car is a little different to purchasing a new car because you have two choices of where to buy from, and you might just fall in love with a vehicle that’s owned by a private seller.

If you’re looking for a particular make and model in a certain colour, you’re buying choices will be more limited. A private purchase can sometimes give you better bargaining power, especially if the owner is in a hurry to sell.

Private Seller Cons

A private seller isn’t bound by the same rules as a car dealer and they aren’t always honest about the car they’re selling you. This is where it pays to take along someone mechanically-minded when you go looking at cars and have the vehicle inspected by a professional before purchasing.

Buying from a private seller is more stressful and time consuming because you’re responsible for all the paperwork such as the bill of sale and registration transfer, and you’re stuck with whatever problems the car might develop later. You’ll also need to ensure there’s no money owed on the car and that it hasn’t previously been written off.

Dealership Pros

If you find your dream car at a dealership, you can rest assured if it had any problems they will have been repaired. The dealer will also take care of all the paperwork for you and provide a vehicle history check. Since the dealer has a reputation to uphold, you know they won’t try to scam you or sell you a dodgy car. You’ll also have better legal protection because the dealer has to adhere to strict laws regarding the sale of used cars.

Dealership Cons

The only real downside to buying your used car from a dealer is you’ll have less room to negotiate the price, and you may pay more than if you bought from a private seller. Dealer prices are usually a little higher because you’re buying a quality vehicle that comes with some sort of guarantee, but that doesn’t mean you can’t negotiate for a better price and some great extras.

Toyota Dealers – Sydney

If you’re looking to buy a used car, visit the friendly team at Phil Gilbert Toyota for expert advice, the biggest range, and the best price possible, and take your chosen car out for a test drive. Whether you’re looking to browse new or used Toyota cars for sale, Sydney residents can rest assured they’re getting the best Toyota specials available.

Our Toyota showrooms are in two convenient locations on Parramatta Rd, so give us a call on (02) 9735 8400 or visit us in Croydon or Lidcombe where you’ll be welcomed with our professional one-stop service.