When you begin your mission to find and purchase a used vehicle, you will have a lot of options as far as where and who you purchase it from. The two major choices you will have to be to either purchase from a dealership (large or independent) or to purchase a used car from an independent seller. These two options are vastly different and both come with their own sets of advantages and disadvantages.

Buying a used car from a dealer is by far the most common way to purchase this type of vehicle. This type of establishment often offers on site financing and can offer you monthly payments for your convenience if in fact you cannot afford to pay for the whole car at once, which most cannot. Another advantage of purchasing through a dealer is that they cannot knowingly sell you an unsafe vehicle. If a dealership accepts a trade in that needs work, they are required to do the maintenance required to make the car safe and drivable before selling it to someone else. On the other hand, purchasing a car from a dealer also has it’s downfalls. Buying a used car from a dealer’s lot almost often means you will have to negotiate car cost and interest and having to deal with hassling sales men. As with new cars, be sure to do some price comparing and research before attempting to facilitate and negotiate a sale with a dealership. The more you know about this process the easier it will be to get the deal you are looking for.

Purchasing a vehicle from a private seller is a whole different ball game altogether; again with both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, buying with a private seller makes negotiation a bit easier. In many cases, the seller is only look to make back what they have put into the car. Some people sell privately because they can get more out of it if they sell it themselves rather than trading it in to a dealership. This type of sale makes it easier for the consumer to get a great deal on a used car but it does have one major disadvantage. Private sellers are not responsible for making repairs to the car before you buy it. Purchasing from a private seller means buying as is, problems and all. There are also cases where the seller may not be aware of certain issues with the car, which can be a problem for you later on.

Whichever direction you decide to follow will be determined not only by your personal finances, but also your mechanical ability and negotiating skills. For those looking for a low-cost out right purchase and for those who have the ability or funds to fix mechanical issues, purchasing from a private seller is a viable option. On the other hand, those who are more experienced with negotiating and who are looking for a ready-to-drive vehicle, it may be in your best interest to purchase from a dealership.