5 Signs You’ve Found a Trustworthy Used Car Dealer

We’ve all heard horror stories about used car dealerships. The ones that slap a cheap coat of paint on a car and do a quick interior detail to make it look shiny and new. Buyers are lured in by the fresh car smell and the flashy looks and fall instantly in love, even though the car doesn’t have a buyer’s slip on it and that they forget to take it on a test drive. They drive the car off the lot, and a month later, its engine goes out, leaving the buyer out thousands of dollars. The used car dealerships insist that they didn’t know about the issues, but they don’t offer to do anything about it even though the customer only had it for a month.

The fear of this happening to the average person is so virulent that this has become the go-to version of every used car dealer – the lemon salesman, the shark, and the rat. However, deals like this are few and far between for many reasons. More often than not, your local used car dealer is going to be your beacon to great deals because of their knowledge and ability to help you out. Legally, they have sales rules they must follow that benefit the customer, and it is in their best interest for the long-term success of the business to help out the customer. After all, their inventory is their livelihood.

While it is unlikely that you will purchase a used car from a dealership that doesn’t look out for you, there are signs that you are working with a trustworthy used car dealer, like Auto Now in Olathe. Whether you visit us or go somewhere else for your car needs, make sure that your car dealer follows these five trustworthy signs.

They Are Willing to Answer All Your Questions

Most first-time buyers come to the shop with many questions. Even after reading the buyer’s slip and seeing what (if anything) is wrong with the car they are interested in, they will still want to make sure that they are getting their money’s worth. Any time you buy the vehicle, you should perform an inspection of it and test drive it. Turn the engine on, listen to it, check the fluids, check the interior, and look for rust. If you see anything that is questionable, this would be an excellent time to bring it up to someone at the dealership.

If you do this and are met with resistance, or worse, if the dealership tries to dissuade you from test driving and/or performing an inspection of the car, these are signs you should turn and run. Salespeople at reputable car dealerships are trained to be trustworthy and loyal to all their customers, regardless of how many questions they ask. They will know that your questions are likely based on your preferences and needs and will make sure that you get the best car possible when you ask those questions.

They Are Certified by NIADA

NIADA stands for the National Independent Automobile Dealership Association. They are an organization committed to promoting transparency and safe car buying for customers who might be purchasing used cars. They boast that “every NIADA Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle comes with peace-of-mind and reliability.” To be NIADA certified, a car dealership must pass rigorous standard checks that are put in place with the customer in mind. While failure to have a NIADA certification doesn’t necessarily mean that an organization is terrible, having it is a good indication that you can trust a purchase from that car dealer. At Auto Now, we are a certified NIADA dealership.

They Don’t Pressure You To Make Any Decisions

Movie portrayals of salespeople often get this right about untrustworthy salespeople. Anyone who is adamant that you make a particular purchase, or even that you make a purchase the same day that you visit the car dealership, likely has their own motivations. A genuinely trustworthy dealership will walk you through the process without pressuring you to decide on the spot. At Auto Now in Olathe, Kansas, your approval for financing stays valid even if you don’t pick out a car the same day you come in to talk about your loan offer. That way, you’ll know how much we are willing to lend you, and you can keep an eye out for a car that you truly want.

They Provide a Vehicle History

Vehicle history is an integral part of car ownership. It gives you insight as to what to expect for repairs down the line, as well as giving you an idea of how much the car is worth based on the number of owners and accident history. Legally, used car dealerships are supposed to provide their customers with a vehicle history as well as a buyer’s sheet that shows what is wrong with the car before they sell it. Trustworthy car dealers will provide you with both of these things because they want to be transparent. Failure to show these documents might mean that the seller is trying to make you pay more than what the car is worth.

They Have a Wide Range of Reliable Cars

Have you ever seen a little independent seller pop up, showcase five to ten vehicles, and then go out of business a year later? The reason is that they did not put enough time and effort into the selection and sale of their cars, and they likely made a deal that didn’t sit well with a customer. A good buy here pay here lot will have the financial ability to pay for an array of quality cars so that their customers have an excellent selection to choose from. This is just one more indication that the car dealership has your best interests in mind rather than their own.

For a car dealership that hits all five of these signs, take a trip to 1404 East Santa Fe Street in Olathe, Kansas, to meet with our salespeople and take a look at our diverse inventory. If you need financial assistance, we assure you that everyone who applies for financing is accepted regardless of credit. Call us today at (913) 764-8989 for more information.