How to Find Reliable Used Car Dealerships for your Second-Hand Vehicle Purchase

Reliable used car dealerships can be few and far inbetween. While there are a lot of them out there, not all operate with integrity, and others do not have high-quality stock. Often, vehicles are not up to scratch, and faults are hidden. This means that the vehicle is bought from these used car dealerships “as is”. If no warrantee is given, the vehicle may end up being a stolen vehicle, it may have major structural or mechanical problems, and it may cost a fortune to fix. If you do not want to get stuck with a dud and no recourse, you have to be careful when choosing the used car dealerships that you want to work with.

Choosing the right used vehicle dealership for you may take a bit of time, but it is definitely worth it. Here are some factors for you to consider:

·         Company History: Take a look at the history and reputation of the company. The longer the dealership has been in business, the better they are likely to be. The dishonest dealerships or those who do not apply proper business fundamentals and management tend to have a short lifespan. Check or ask for references from previous clients. The better used car dealerships will always be happy to comply.

·         Services: Find out more about the types of services they provide and what they do with their stock before they sell them. The best used car dealerships will usually provide peace of mind by ensuring that the vehicle is cosmetically sound, that is has been checked through and inspected thoroughly, and that all mechanical parts are sound. Usually, they also ensure that after work has been done, the older vehicles are put through the roadworthy process before they are put up for sale.

·         Regulatory Bodies: The best measure of how reliable a used car dealership is, is to find out more about the regulatory bodies that they belong to. Some good examples are the BlueChip Independent Dealer Network (this can easily be checked by linking to the BlueChip website). This network takes great pride in promoting transparency, outstanding service, and maintaining a good reputation. Other bodies, such as the IDA (Independent Dealer Association) are also important, and only award membership to outstanding used car dealerships.

·         Stock: Make a note of the type of vehicles they carry. Sometimes, a dealership will specialise in a particular brand of vehicles, and others will have a wider array of stock. If you are looking for a particular vehicle make or model, going with a used car dealership that specialises in that brand is a good idea, because they know their vehicles inside and out. They can provide valuable information about the handling, servicing, maintenance, and other issues that will allow you to make a more informed decision.

If you are currently on the lookout for used car dealerships that you can trust, contact our agents at Atterbury Motors in Gauteng!