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Finding a quality used car deal is rough because of deceptive vehicle history records, shadowy lending and high-pressure sales tactics. Over the years a few bad dealers have tarnished this market by offering mechanically unsound cars and trucks at inflated prices. Also, the internet was not yet a viable method to evaluate a vehicle purchasing decision.

However, the last decade brought widespread change to the used car retail market. Legislatures made moves that brought heightened oversight on auto lending and has enacted steep penalties on violating dealerships. Also, some of the weaker used car lots fell victim to the recession; dealers who were selling bad cars and bad prices felt the wraith of the market.

While the small dealers were struggling, new car dealerships radically re-imagined their approach to marketing and selling used vehicles. Many saw the value in refurbishing their trade-in inventory to near-new conditions; this way, they could carry the reputation of the major dealership while grooming future new car customers.

Also the comfort of purchasing a vehicle from a major dealership is a real benefit. The entire experience has a more professional feel to it, from the paperwork to the waiting room to the vehicle preparation and delivery. The sales environment tends to be low-pressure because (honestly) the sales staff would rather be dealing with a new car purchaser with good credit and lots of money than a bargain-conscious used car shopper.

Most importantly, the after-sale experience is far superior at a major franchised car dealership. Offering a highly-trained and well-stocked service department, a new car dealership can apply the right expertise and the right parts in a timely fashion should vehicle problems arise. If their are major problems with the vehicle, buyers can be reassured by the fact that franchised car dealerships are major businesses that are responsible to the community; a car dealer’s reputation alone is worth making sure their customers are happy