You hear many horror stories of motorists getting ripped off or scammed in the used car market, which has created a lot of anxiety and fear for motorists when they time comes to find a new vehicle. So, how can you shop with confidence and avoid getting ripped off? First, it is important to shop at dealerships instead of using a private seller. You get no consumer protection with a private seller, plus you are more likely to fall victim to a scam.
Forecourt dealers can be a great place to buy used cars, but you must also be careful here to avoid getting ripped off or buying a used car that is in poor condition. Unfortunately, one-third of motorists that have purchased from a car dealer would not go back to that dealer in the future.
This means that it is vital that you do your research so you know which forecourt dealers you can trust, and which you cant. Fortunately, this can actually be quick and easy when you know how.
Research
The first and easiest step involves researching online. Take a look at their website and social media channels to make sure that everything is in order. Their website and social media channels should look professional, contain high-quality photographs and information about the company. Ideally, they will be part of an “approved dealers” scheme so that you know everything is legitimate. Another great way to gauge the reliability is to look for customer reviews or testimonials -- whether they have these on their site or not, be sure to do a Google search for them as here you will find unbiased reviews.
Face to Face
Next, you should visit the forecourt and speak to the staff. Again, everything should be professional, tidy and the staff should be helpful, genuine and not use any aggressive sales tactics. Use your gut instinct here as you should be able to tell if they are trustworthy simply by communicating with staff.
Checks
Another great way to determine a trustworthy forecourt dealer, and something that should always be done anyway, is to carry out a vehicle history check on the car through HPI. This will highlight any major issues or hidden secrets that the car has. The dealer may know this information and be withholding it, or perhaps they do not know themselves so it is always worthwhile getting this check carried out.
This information should help you to identify trustworthy forecourt dealers so that you can shop with confidence and get a great deal on a high-quality vehicle.
