7 Great Benefits Of Buying A Used Car From A Dealer

Whether you’re purchasing a new or used vehicle, buying a car is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will make. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. Buying a pre-owned vehicle can be a great option to ensure that you can get all of the features and accessories you want and need in a vehicle without blowing the budget. While buying used instead of new will potentially save you money, there are additional risks to consider, particularly when buying from a private seller and the potential unseen issues that the vehicle may have.  

7 Great Benefits Of Buying A Used Car From A Dealer

While buying a used vehicle will always carry some risk due to the condition, maintenance, and prior use of the vehicle, there are many benefits to buying a used car from a licensed Brisbane used car dealer as opposed to a private seller. From having access to the seller’s reputation before purchasing, to the simplicity of trade-in offers and having everything you need in one location. Buying a used car from a dealer means you benefit from a range of vehicles, financing assistance, extended warranty options, certified reputation, after-sale support, and more. Here's our 7 benefits of buying a used car from a dealer.

One of the biggest risks when buying a used vehicle through a private seller is that the seller could be anyone. With no credentials, qualifications, or any way to judge the fairness of the seller’s past dealings, buying privately means that you will be putting a lot of trust into a complete stranger who has no obligation to disclose potential problems with the vehicle, even if they’re aware of them. Conversely, a used car dealer has a public reputation to uphold. With technology making it so easy to find reviews and experiences of previous buyers, there is nowhere to hide when it comes to the reputation of a dealer. Fortunately, this means that it is in the best interest of the sales team to work with you to find the best vehicle for you based on your needs, making the stereotype of high-pressure car sales a thing of the past. Plus, if you’re unsure of the reputation of your car dealership, simply check their online reviews for the experiences of past customers for your own peace of mind. Under Australian law you are protected when purchasing from a licenced used car dealership with a standard 12 month buyer protection warranty.  

Another benefit of buying a used car from a dealer is that, in most cases, they will accept trade-ins as part of your payment towards your chosen vehicle, which is not generally an option on the private market. This means that not only will you have to come up with less money upfront to buy your chosen vehicle, but you also won’t have to worry about selling your old vehicle once you receive the new one. By trading in your vehicle through a licensed dealer, there is no need to undertake the stressful and time-consuming process of advertising your vehicle for sale, responding to and organising inspections for potential buyers, and having to complete and file the appropriate transfer of ownership paperwork. You can simply drive in and out the same day you pick up your new car, leaving all of the paperwork and organisation for the dealer to handle with the knowledge that the trade-in value will be taken off of the cost of your new vehicle. In fact, in many cases, car dealerships are even able to offer trade-ins on vehicles with finance still owing that cannot be easily sold privately, making the process of upgrading your car easier than ever by organising for the trade-in value to be used to complete the loan, with the remainder going towards the value of your new vehicle.

One of the more time-consuming parts of buying a used vehicle can be finding a vehicle that is suitable for your needs, meets your personal preferences, and falls within your budget. Buying through a used car dealer makes this process a whole lot easier as you will be able to inspect and test drive a range of different vehicles in one location, with the accompanying advice of auto experts, in order to find the best vehicle for you. Comparatively, when purchasing a used car through a private seller, each vehicle inspection must be organised based on the availability of the seller and at their desired location, which can result in weeks of running around to different areas of the city at varying times in order to inspect and test drive each vehicle that you’re interested in. Additionally, organising for a licensed mechanic to inspect the condition of the vehicle must be done at the convenience of the seller, which can be difficult to arrange when the vehicle is still being used.

Another benefit of buying a vehicle through a used car dealer is that they will offer financing on-site. This means that if you don’t have the full price of your chosen vehicle available at the time of purchase, the sales team will be able to assist you in organising car finance. Or, if you’re earlier in the purchasing process and not sure how much you can afford or what finance you would be entitled to, the dealer will be able to assist you with this information on-site. Whereas, when buying a car from a private dealer, you will need to provide the full purchased price upfront at the time of sale. This means that if you are looking to finance the vehicle, you will have to organise your own loan, which can be particularly tricky when buying a used vehicle if you don’t know what you’re doing.

One of the biggest concerns any buyer will face when purchasing a used vehicle is that there may be unknown problems with the vehicle after purchase that you will be responsible for. This is particularly the case for privately sold vehicles as they are sold ‘as is’, meaning that once the title has been transferred, you will never hear from the previous owner again, leaving you to shell out money for any potential damage, repairs, or maintenance costs that may arise after purchase. Unlike private sellers, a dealer is bound by Australian Consumer Laws that are made to protect buyers. This means that most vehicles come with a compulsory warranty to protect the buyer after purchase, with laws varying state by state. For example, in Queensland, vehicles that are less than ten years old and have travelled less than 160,000km must come with a minimum warranty of four months or 5000km after purchase. For vehicles older than ten years or that have travelled more than 160,000km, a warranty of one month or 1000km is required. There are several types of warranties commonly offered by reputable used car dealerships:

         1. Statutory Warranty: In some states, used car dealers are required by law to provide a statutory warranty for vehicles sold. The warranty typically covers the vehicle for a certain period of time (such as three months) or a certain number of kilometers (such as 5,000 km), and requires the dealership to repair or replace any faults that arise during that period.

         2. Extended Warranty: Some dealerships offer extended warranties that provide additional coverage beyond the statutory warranty period. These warranties can be customized to the buyer's needs and budget, and may cover a range of components such as the engine, transmission, electrical system, and air conditioning.

         3. Manufacturer Warranty: If the used car is still covered by the manufacturer's warranty, the buyer may be able to take advantage of that warranty for the remaining period of coverage.

         4. Dealer Warranty: Some dealerships offer their own in-house warranties that provide coverage for a certain period of time or kilometers. These warranties can vary in coverage and duration, so it's important to read the terms and conditions carefully.

It's important to note that even if a warranty is offered, it may not cover all issues that arise with the vehicle. Wear and tear, damage caused by neglect or misuse, and modifications made to the vehicle may not be covered by the warranty. Buyers should also carefully review the warranty terms and conditions to ensure they understand what is covered and what is not. Overall, buyers should carefully consider the warranty options available when purchasing a used car and choose the option that best suits their needs and budget. It's also important to choose a reputable dealership with a good track record for customer service and support. Many dealers will also have the facilities to provide scheduled warranty servicing and maintenance for your purchased vehicle to keep it running smoothly and efficiently throughout its lifetime.

A used car dealer makes purchasing a pre-owned vehicle simple, with everything you need in one place. From providing expert advice, a wide range of available vehicles to test drive, on-site financing, and trade-ins, to taking care of all of the required paperwork to complete the sale. Plus, many dealers will also offer additional services such as roadside assistance and organising car insurance to ensure that you are able to drive away in your new car knowing that your investment is protected. When buying through a specialised dealer such as Downtown Toyota, you will also have access to our wide range of Toyota genuine parts and accessories to ensure that your chosen vehicle is customised to suit your specific needs and preferences.

When purchasing a used vehicle through a licensed dealer, you can have greater peace of mind when it comes to the condition of the vehicle, as reputable dealers will thoroughly inspect used cars, carrying out any necessary repairs before they are put up for sale. In fact, some car dealers will carry out official inspections, providing certification for eligible vehicles, including an extended warranty. For example, Downtown Toyota offers Toyota Certified Pre-Owned (TCPO) vehicles to provide greater confidence and peace of mind for the buyer. In order to become certified, TCPO vehicles must meet a strict set of requirements in regard to the age and kilometres travelled, as well as pass a 90-point inspection carried out by a qualified Toyota technician. This inspection covers everything from the engine and transmission to the brakes, suspension, and tires. Any issues discovered during the inspection are addressed before the car is offered for sale. All TCPO vehicles also come with a full service history, a CarHistory check, as well as a 12-month warranty, and 12 months of roadside assist.

Buying a used vehicle through a licensed used car dealer is a simple way to mitigate some of the risks when buying a used car. If you’re looking to buy a reliable used car in Brisbane at an affordable price, talk to Downtown Toyota’s gold-level used car department today. Drop in at our local Morningside dealership today or browse our range of available used vehicles online.

Buying a used car in Brisbane? Read this first!