If you are thinking about buying a used car, finding the best used car dealerships in your area should be the first thing on your list. Buying a used car creates mixed feelings. You feel excitement but also fear because you don’t know how that car was maintained and if it will create problems in the future.
The best way to avoid buying a money pit is to check out the source. Just as you would go through the car’s specs, you should also check the dealership. We did the research for you and made a list of your friendly neighborhood car dealers.
Used Cars for Sale – What to Look For
When buying a car from car dealerships, you should keep in mind three basic requirements:
- Documented history. This is a list of all repairs that have been done, maintenance checks, and accidents endured.
- Trusted source. You should also do a quick background check on the seller.
- Warranty. Most of the used car dealers now offer a warranty. The FTC requires them to place a buyers guide on every used vehicle they offer, and it must contain specific information essential to the buyer.
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How to Get the Best Deal on a Used Car at a Dealership
- Gather information about the real market value of the car you are interested in, depending on its age, brand, and condition.
- Negotiate the price. This is the tricky part. You should make an offer below market value and increase it slowly if the dealer doesn’t budge.
- Weigh the “extras” that the dealer will include. Their value is hard to calculate, and their primary purpose is to confuse you and make you spend more.
- Read the contract. Make sure you get in writing everything you were offered by the salesperson.
The Best Used Car Dealerships by City and State
We applied the following criteria by city and state to find the best dealerships:
- Customer satisfaction
- Online reviews
- Inventory size and variety of models (budget and luxury cars)
- Financing models (bank loans, proprietary financing, online pre-approval)
- Prices (compared to the competition)
- Tradition and reputation
- Additional benefits (warranties, repair shops on site, etc.)
We added extra points for significant local presence and footprint in the community. After combining all the data, here is our list of the best used dealerships across the USA.
Best Used Car Dealerships in Denver
Car Time
Customers rated this dealer 4.5/ 5.
What makes it good?
- Great customer service
- No pressure for buying extras
- Many high-end cars on the lot
- Different types of financing available
Drive Time
Customers rated this dealer 4.4/5.
What makes it good?
- Many different models
- Excellent website
- Different financing models, including the company’s own
Emich Automotive
Customers rated this dealer 4.3/5.
What makes it good?
- Maintenance also available
- They will bring the car to your home for a test drive
- Several types of financing available
Best Used Car Dealerships in San Diego
K & S Alfa Romeo
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Many different models, not just Alfa Romeo
- Repair shop at the facility
- Good customer service
ZAS Motors
Customers rated this dealer 4.7 /5.
What makes it good?
- Large inventory
- Good website with photos and videos
- Offers different models of financing
Siry Auto Group
Customers rated this dealer 4.3/5.
What makes it good?
- Maintenance facility
- One of the largest inventories in the area
- Excellent website with plenty of options
Best Used Car Dealerships in Austin TX
Texas Auto Center
Customers rated this dealer 4.3/ 5.
What makes it good?
- Simple financing process
- Very large stock
- 2 Year / 24,000 mile warranty
Kyle Chapman Motors
Customers rated this dealer 4.7/5.
What makes it good?
- 40 Years of experience
- Repair shop on site
- Large inventory
- Responsive website
Austin Auto Brokers
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Certified cars
- 120-point vehicle inspection
- Transferable warranty
- Roadside assistance
- Great customer service
Best Used Car Dealerships in Phoenix
Goldies Motors
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Family-owned. Friendly atmosphere
- Great customer service
- Excellent website
DriveTime Central Phoenix Dealership
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/ 5.
What makes it good?
- Many different models
- Excellent website
- Different financing models, including the company’s own
Fantasy Auto Sales Inc
Customers rated this dealer 4.7/5.
What makes it good?
- High percentage of returning customers
- Family business
- Responsive website
Best Used Car Dealerships in Chicago
Mack’s Motor Sales
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory
- On-site service center
- Excellent website
AutoBank
Customers rated this dealer 4.6/5.
What makes it good?
- On-site repair shop
- Warranty
- When the warranty expires, the customers get wholesale prices on parts
Capital Motors Credit Inc.
Customers rated this dealer 4.6/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory
- Easy financing
Best Used Car Dealerships in Houston
Motors On Wheels
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory
- Warranty
- Easy financing
DriveTime
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Many different models
- Excellent website
- Different financing models, including the company’s own
Paisanos Auto Sales
Customers rated this dealer 4.6/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory
- No payments for 90 days
- Website with useful tools
Best Used Car Dealerships Seattle
Washington Auto Loan House
Customers rated this dealer 5/5.
What makes it good?
- Commercial and passenger vehicles
- Easy financing
- Excellent customer service
Volvo Cars Seattle
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory – not just Volvo
- Good financing options
- On-site repair shop
Elliott Bay Auto Brokers
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- One of the widest inventories in the city
- Easy trade-in
- Good financing options
Best Used Car Dealerships in NYC
Zettes Auto Mall
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Comprehensive service
- Instant pre-approval
- Excellent website
Stream Auto Outlet
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Very wide inventory
- Buyers with bad credit welcomed
- Easy pre-qualification procedure
Auto Empire
Customers rated this dealer 4.7/5.
What makes it good?
- Commercial and passenger vehicles
- Easy financing
- Affordable extended warranty
Best Used Car Dealerships Las Vegas
DriveTime
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Many different models
- Multiple locations in Vegas
- Different financing models
Ariana Motors
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Family business-friendly atmosphere
- Easy financing for people with bad credit
- Passenger and commercial vehicles
Auto Mart
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Affordable prices
- Pre-checked cars
- Good website
Best Used Car Dealerships in Dallas
DriveTime
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Many different models
- Different financing models
- Good customer care
Texas Cars Direct
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Different financing options
- Easy online payment calculator
- Large selection of luxury cars
Drive Casa
Customers rated this dealer 4.6/5.
What makes it good?
- High hygiene standards—all cars are thoroughly cleaned
- Online approval
- 3-Day Return Guarantee
- 12 months/12,000 miles warranty
Best Used Car Dealerships in Atlanta
Atlanta AutoStar
Customers rated this dealer 4.7/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory
- Online credit check
- Fast and easy financing
AX Auto Inc.
Customers rated this dealer 4.6/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory of high-end cars
- Large number of photos of every car
- Free delivery
Atlanta’s Best Autos
Customers rated this dealer 4.5/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory
- Many financing options – guaranteed credit for everyone
- Easy appraisal process for trade-ins
Best Used Car Dealerships in Sacramento
DriveTime
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide array of models
- Different financing models
- Good customer care
Capital City Used Auto Sales Inc.
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory
- Good customer care
- Many financings options
California Auto Deals
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Low budget and high-end vehicles
- Good customer care
Best Used Car Dealerships Colorado Springs
Springs Automotive Group
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- More than 400 vehicles
- Excellent financing options
- On-site repair and maintenance facility
Mile High Car Company
Customers rated this dealer 4.6/5.
What makes it good?
- Veteran owned and operated
- Fast pre-approval
- Great place to maintain your car
McCloskey Imports & 4X4’s
Customers rated this dealer 4.6/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory
- Many 4×4 vehicles in stock
- Vehicles 5 years or newer get a limited lifetime powertrain warranty (not transferable)
Best Used Car Dealerships Bay Area
Royal Auto Group
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Reasonable prices
- Good website
- Online credit calculator
Super Used Car Center
Customers rated this dealer 4.7/5.
What makes it good?
- Certified pre-used cars
- Service and collision center on site
- Easy financing application
AutoNation Acura Stevens Creek
Customers rated this dealer 4.6/5.
What makes it good?
- Great finance center with many options
- Certified vehicles
- 5-day money-back guarantee
Best Used Car Dealerships in Raleigh NC
DriveTime
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory
- Different financing models
- Good customer care
RDU Auto
Customers rated this dealer 4.7/5.
What makes it good?
- Family-owned business
- Easy financing
- True Cash Offer
North Hills Motors
Customers rated this dealer 4.6/5.
What makes it good?
- Low prices
- Warranty included in the advertised price
- Maintenance and repair services on site
Best Used Car Dealerships in Utah
Utah Motor Company
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Online credit application
- Quick approvals
- Wide inventory of low budget and high-end cars
Kentson Car Company
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Low mileage cars
- Easy financing
- Online payment calculator and pre-approval
Larry H. Miller Trucks and Imports Sandy
Customers rated this dealer 4.7/5.
What makes it good?
- Easy financing
- Express Sale option
- Online pre-approval
Best Used Car Dealerships in NJ
Apollo Auto Sales
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Interesting special offers
- Large number of certified cars
- Good financing center
- Online pre-approval
Automotive Avenues
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- More than 1000 certified cars available
- Easy financing
- Online pre-approval
Auto Direct Cars
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Family owned and operated for 75 years
- Many user satisfaction rewards
- Large number of certified cars
- Online pre-approval
Best Used Car Dealerships in CT
European Motorcars
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory of high-end cars
- CARFAX report for every car
- Collision and service center
Jazzi Auto Sales
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Finances even clients with bad or no credit
- Wide Inventory
- On-site maintenance shop
Sound Auto Wholesalers
Customers rated this dealer 4.7/5.
What makes it good?
- Family-owned business
- Rated A+ by the BBB
- Free CARFAX report for every car
- Lifetime Powertrain Warranty for vehicles under 100,000 miles (not transferable)
Best Used Car Dealerships in MA
North End Motors
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory
- First payment after 90 days
- Multiple Customer Satisfaction Awards Winner
Direct Auto Team
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory
- First payment after 90 days
- Multiple Customer Satisfaction Awards
Byrider Dartmouth
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Online approval in under 3 Minutes
- Easy financing
- Warranty or optional service agreement with every car
Best Used Car Dealerships in MN
Poquet Auto
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Online appraisal of trade-in cars
- Good financing options
- Affordable extended warranty
Walser Experienced Autos Burnsville
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Powertrain warranty for up to 10 years and 150,000 miles on select used vehicles
- Complete maintenance service
- Several financing options
CarHop Auto Sales & Finance
Customers rated this dealer 4.7/5.
What makes it good?
- Good financing options even for clients with bad credit
- Online approval
- All cars come with an 18 months/18,000-mile warranty
Best Used Car Dealerships in NY
Zettes Auto Mall
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Comprehensive service
- Quick pre-approval
- Helpful website
Stream Auto Outlet
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Very wide inventory
- Great option for buyers with bad credit
- Quick pre-qualification procedure
Enterprise Car Sales
Customers rated this dealer 4.7/5.
What makes it good?
- College Graduate Program
- Affordable prices
- Online pre-approval
Best Used Car Dealerships in Maryland
Easterns Automotive Group
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Several locations
- Wide inventory
- Easy financing
DriveTime
Customers rated this dealer 4.7/5.
What makes it good?
- Wide inventory
- Excellent website
- Many financing models
Hampstead Pre-Owned
Customers rated this dealer 4.7/5.
What makes it good?
- Best Price Guarantee
- Repair shop
- Warranty available
Best Used Car Dealerships in Tucson AZ
Affordable Autos of Tucson
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Multiple locations
- Easy financing
- Wide inventory
Cactus Auto Company
Customers rated this dealer 4.7/5.
What makes it good?
- Repair shop
- Buyers get two free oil changes
- Easy financing – online application
DriveTime
Customers rated this dealer 4.7/5.
What makes it good?
- Many pre-checked cars available
- Good website
- Different financing models
Best Used Car Dealerships Portland Oregon
JD Motors LLC
Customers rated this dealer 4.9/5.
What makes it good?
- Many models available-budget and luxury options
- Online pre-approval
- Online credit application
Atlas Motors LLC
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- A+ BBB rating
- Quick pre-approval
- Carfax Advantage Dealer
Freeman Motor Portland Showroom
Customers rated this dealer 4.8/5.
What makes it good?
- Multiple locations
- Wide inventory of low-mileage cars
- Quick pre-approval
The Best Used Car Dealerships: Alternatives Ways to Buy A Used Car
It may be tempting to buy your next ride without using a dealership. It’s true; buying directly from private owners or online can cut down on dealership costs, but it also comes with more of a risk of buying something that isn’t certified. Either way, if you’re not interested in our list of options, here are some alternative ways to find the right car for you.
Used Cars for Sale by Owner Listings
It is possible to get a good car at an affordable price through ads, but there are a few things to check and do before you make a purchase.
Check the car’s documentation
- Go over the service book, receipts for maintenance, and parts, and make sure that the service intervals are met.
- Observe the mileage—the higher the mileage, the more likely it is you will have to put some repairs in soon.
Even the best used car dealerships can’t guarantee you won’t need to put repairs into a used vehicle, but these checks can help you know what to expect.
Check the car itself
- Examine the exterior for signs of additional paint jobs. Check the interior for odors that suggest water leakage and check the electronics.
- Check the engine, clutch, and suspension.
- Take it for a test drive.
What Is the Best Place to Buy Used Cars Online?
The internet is full of websites that revolve around used car listings, and their number is constantly growing, thanks to the increased demand for used cars. The quality of these websites is questionable, to say the least.
It’s best to rely on trusted websites like Cars.com, AutoTrader, eBay Motors, CarGurus, Craigslist, etc. If you are looking for a classic or a rare car, the best used car websites for you are Hemmings and ClassicCars.
Summary
Getting a good used car is not an impossible mission; it just takes a bit of planning and research. Go to the dealership prepared with info about current prices, their pros, and their cons. Check online reviews, and see if the extra protection packages offered by dealers meet your needs. By choosing a trusted dealership with a good reputation, you can feel at-ease while you drive away in your new-to-you car.
People Also Ask
What is the best used car website?
There are plenty of websites dedicated to used car sales, but most of the new ones are of poor quality and just trying to exploit the increased demand for used cars. It’s best to rely on trusted websites like Cars.com, AutoTrader, eBay Motors, CarGurus, Craigslist, Cars&Bids, Autolist, and CarGurus. The best websites for classic cars are Hemmings and ClassicCars.
Besides listings, these websites also provide helpful tools that let you compare prices, check car history, and search within your area.
Where is the best place to buy a used car?
There are two basic types of sellers you can buy a used car from: private sellers and car dealerships. Whatever seller you choose, you should make sure the vehicle has a documented maintenance history, and check it through a service like Carfax. You can find a lot of car dealers that offer certified used cars.
Another important thing is to look at the sellers. Check the car dealerships’ reviews and its reputation.
Do dealerships negotiate on used cars?
Yes, you can negotiate a price in most used car dealerships. First, you should read up and gather information about the car you are interested in. Know standard prices for the make and model, how mileage affects selling price, and how much you are willing to spend.
When you are negotiating, make an offer that is 10% lower than the sticker price and go with your feeling from there. Just be careful that the seller doesn’t lower the price and then throw some expensive optional service into the deal that you don’t need.
Is it better to buy a used car from a dealership?
This is hard to say because each way has its advantages. For example, buying a car from a private seller will most probably get you a lower price because they won’t be interested in making a profitable commission. However, buying from dealerships often comes with greater security, such as certifications, warranties, and special offers.
When it comes to financing, best used car dealerships are pretty skilled in finding ways to provide financing even to customers with poor credit score. Ultimately, the choice is up to you.