When thinking about buying a new car, one of the first things that go through anyone’s mind is whether they want to buy used cars from private sellers or if buying a car from the dealership would be a more practical option. 

There are a lot of risks involved with buying a car from a private seller that could leave you trapped and you could lose a large chunk of money that you spent saving up for a car. Here are some risks that are involved with purchasing a car from a private seller.

• No Buyer Protection

When buying a car from a private seller, you don’t get the same kind of netting to fall back on that you do when you opt for a dealership. When you buy used cars in Houston, if you opt for a dealership, they have certain rules that they need to follow when making a sale, which includes giving you a warranty and getting your car checked for safety and performance issues.

When buying from a private seller, you get the car however the seller gives it to you and everything related to that car from the buying point onwards is solely on you.

Unless you’re purchasing a car that still has its manufacturer’s warranty intact, a private seller is under no obligation to give you a warranty, so if the car breaks down the moment you hit the road, there is nothing you can do about it.

• You’ll Have to Do More Homework

When buying a car from the dealership, you know that they’ve already carried out the inspections needed to make sure your car is in working condition. Regardless, many dealerships will still pay for you to get an inspection done, as well as safety and emissions check. 

A private seller will not pay for your inspections, which adds an additional cost to the vehicle. They might also refuse to show you the checkup history of the car, so it is possible that you have no idea what underlying issues may exist inside the car you’re buying until it’s too late.

You also don’t know whether there have been any major modifications in its internal parts that the seller might not want you to be aware of. These could greatly reduce a car’s resale value if you end up selling it to someone well-versed in cars.

• You Have to Put in More Time

Not only does a dealership reduce the amount of research you have to do behind every car you consider buying, but it also takes less time to find the right deal for you. If you’re looking to buy used cars in Houston, you’ll have to go through every Craigslist add you come across, with the added risk of not knowing if someone is a fraud.

With every person you meet, you’ll have to go through the negotiations from scratch. You’ll have to check whether they’re reliable, ask them for their availability, ask about warranties and car history and sometimes, you’ll still end up unsuccessful.

If time is as important investment to you as the dollars you’re putting in, then private dealers definitely cost a lot more.

Final Word

While many people do end up being successful after buying from a private seller, make sure you know what you’re getting into and leave the situation if you feel like you are about to make a major mistake. Sometimes, a dealership is a safer option instead.