Advice
Where is the best place to buy a used car? (2025 update)
Used-car buyers have plenty of choice for places to buy their next used car, and each has its pros and cons. We’ll help you decide where you’ll find your next car.
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Additional words by: Nimisha Jain
Last updated on 30 January 2025 | 0 min read
When buying a used car, it's important to find a trustworthy vendor. It pays to research your options for the best deals, prices, and the highest quality second-hand cars. Below, we outline where to search for second-hand cars and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Places to buy a used car:
• Franchises: dealerships that sell and specialise in a single manufacturer’s vehicles, and sell both used and new cars
• Independent dealers: small or large size dealerships that sell used cars and keep a large variety of vehicles • Car supermarkets: dealerships that keep hundreds of used, mainstream cars • Private sellers: people that are selling their old cars • Auction houses: places that sell used vehicles at a low price (plus an auction fee) through bidding
• Independent dealers: small or large size dealerships that sell used cars and keep a large variety of vehicles • Car supermarkets: dealerships that keep hundreds of used, mainstream cars • Private sellers: people that are selling their old cars • Auction houses: places that sell used vehicles at a low price (plus an auction fee) through bidding
Exploring the different car-buying options
Franchise dealer
Advantages:
• You’re dealing with an expert • You can get approved used cars • Finance and warranty available Disadvantages • Likely to be most expensive • Tend to focus on newer cars • Less choices if a one-brand dealership A franchised dealer can be good bet for a relatively young used car. You’ll usually be browsing the best-quality cars and dealing with experts who know the make model. You can often buy the car through the manufacturer-backed approved used scheme, which usually includes pre-sales checks like a history check. These approved used cars usually come with a warranty or breakdown cover too. Franchised dealer are also worth considering because they’re usually a one-stop-shop. They often provide finance and warranty options, and most will be happy to part-exchange your existing car too. Buying from a franchised dealer can be more expensive, but the top-notch service may make it money well spent.
• You’re dealing with an expert • You can get approved used cars • Finance and warranty available Disadvantages • Likely to be most expensive • Tend to focus on newer cars • Less choices if a one-brand dealership A franchised dealer can be good bet for a relatively young used car. You’ll usually be browsing the best-quality cars and dealing with experts who know the make model. You can often buy the car through the manufacturer-backed approved used scheme, which usually includes pre-sales checks like a history check. These approved used cars usually come with a warranty or breakdown cover too. Franchised dealer are also worth considering because they’re usually a one-stop-shop. They often provide finance and warranty options, and most will be happy to part-exchange your existing car too. Buying from a franchised dealer can be more expensive, but the top-notch service may make it money well spent.
Independent dealer
Advantages
• Usually have lower prices than franchise dealer • No bias to one manufacturer • May offer warranty and finance Disadvantages • Sites can vary in quality • Can be difficult to negotiate price The term 'independent' dealer covers a lot of ground. High-end dealerships might offer plush surroundings, competitive finance and warranty options, and part-exchange deals for your old car. Some may even specialise in specific makes or models and have more expertise than franchised dealers. However, dealing with a team of professionals can make haggle prices difficult. You can find sites specialising in nearly new cars, which are newer than the stock you typically find at a franchise dealer, and have no bias towards a particular maker. Independent dealers generally charge lower prices than franchised dealers. You also get more legal protection and additional services compared to private sellers or auction houses. However, independent dealers may not have as much in-depth knowledge about the specific car being purchased compared to franchise dealers, and their prices might be higher than private sellers or auction houses. Related: How to buy a car at an independent dealership.
• Usually have lower prices than franchise dealer • No bias to one manufacturer • May offer warranty and finance Disadvantages • Sites can vary in quality • Can be difficult to negotiate price The term 'independent' dealer covers a lot of ground. High-end dealerships might offer plush surroundings, competitive finance and warranty options, and part-exchange deals for your old car. Some may even specialise in specific makes or models and have more expertise than franchised dealers. However, dealing with a team of professionals can make haggle prices difficult. You can find sites specialising in nearly new cars, which are newer than the stock you typically find at a franchise dealer, and have no bias towards a particular maker. Independent dealers generally charge lower prices than franchised dealers. You also get more legal protection and additional services compared to private sellers or auction houses. However, independent dealers may not have as much in-depth knowledge about the specific car being purchased compared to franchise dealers, and their prices might be higher than private sellers or auction houses. Related: How to buy a car at an independent dealership.
Car Supermarket
Advantages
• Low prices • Lots of cars Disadvantages • Mainly mainstream models • You may need to pay an admin fee on top of the car’s advertised price Supermarkets are sometimes known for a “pile ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap” mentality, and cheap prices make them attractive. They tend to have a wide choice of cars, with a fast turnover of stock, and you may be able to buy a car and drive it away on the same day. As many supermarkets offer finance, they can be a one-stop-shop. However, supermarkets tend to concentrate on mainstream models, so if you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary, you may struggle. Plus, there’s a chance they’ll offer low part-exchange prices and warranties, and it’s quite common for them to charge an extra admin fee. But, if you’re getting a great price on the car you’re buying, that may be less of an issue.
• Low prices • Lots of cars Disadvantages • Mainly mainstream models • You may need to pay an admin fee on top of the car’s advertised price Supermarkets are sometimes known for a “pile ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap” mentality, and cheap prices make them attractive. They tend to have a wide choice of cars, with a fast turnover of stock, and you may be able to buy a car and drive it away on the same day. As many supermarkets offer finance, they can be a one-stop-shop. However, supermarkets tend to concentrate on mainstream models, so if you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary, you may struggle. Plus, there’s a chance they’ll offer low part-exchange prices and warranties, and it’s quite common for them to charge an extra admin fee. But, if you’re getting a great price on the car you’re buying, that may be less of an issue.
Private sellers
Advantages
• Likely to be cheap • Can haggle more • Can buy quickly Disadvantages • Less legal back-up for buyer • Can find dodgy dealers masquerading as private sellers • Tend to be older cars Private sales can be ideal for certain cars since they often offer attractive prices and there can be room to haggle, since they want to make space for their new car. And there’s tons to choose from. It can be trickier to arrange to buy from a private seller, as you’d need to find a convenient time to view and test the car. Buying from private sellers comes with fewer checks compared to franchises. You should verify details like mileage and history and make careful checks before purchasing, since you may have less legal back-up than if you bought it from a trader. Here’s a list of paperwork you should double-check before buying a car. Related: How do I pay a private seller when buying a used car?
• Likely to be cheap • Can haggle more • Can buy quickly Disadvantages • Less legal back-up for buyer • Can find dodgy dealers masquerading as private sellers • Tend to be older cars Private sales can be ideal for certain cars since they often offer attractive prices and there can be room to haggle, since they want to make space for their new car. And there’s tons to choose from. It can be trickier to arrange to buy from a private seller, as you’d need to find a convenient time to view and test the car. Buying from private sellers comes with fewer checks compared to franchises. You should verify details like mileage and history and make careful checks before purchasing, since you may have less legal back-up than if you bought it from a trader. Here’s a list of paperwork you should double-check before buying a car. Related: How do I pay a private seller when buying a used car?
Auctions
Advantages
• Cheap prices • Huge range Disadvantages • No test drives • Can’t get in cars, so hard to know what you’re buying • Admin fees added to the price you pay • Not for the uninitiated Auctions can be a great place to pick up bargains, but they’re usually the hunting ground for traders rather than private buyers. They can be overwhelming for beginners, who might risk a mistake due to the fast pace and intensity. Before buying at an auction, visit a few times without purchasing to get a feel of the place. If you do buy, expect to pay an admin fee in addition to the car price. You can't test drive or fully inspect cars beforehand, and you have little legal back-up if there are problems with the car. Check the car quality – many older, with higher mileage and more wear and tear, and some are category N. If you can take along someone from the trade to help, it’s worth considering, but otherwise, it’s best left to the pros.
• Cheap prices • Huge range Disadvantages • No test drives • Can’t get in cars, so hard to know what you’re buying • Admin fees added to the price you pay • Not for the uninitiated Auctions can be a great place to pick up bargains, but they’re usually the hunting ground for traders rather than private buyers. They can be overwhelming for beginners, who might risk a mistake due to the fast pace and intensity. Before buying at an auction, visit a few times without purchasing to get a feel of the place. If you do buy, expect to pay an admin fee in addition to the car price. You can't test drive or fully inspect cars beforehand, and you have little legal back-up if there are problems with the car. Check the car quality – many older, with higher mileage and more wear and tear, and some are category N. If you can take along someone from the trade to help, it’s worth considering, but otherwise, it’s best left to the pros.
Buying a used car on Auto Trader
With so many choices available, looking for your next car can be exhausting. At Auto Trader, we aim at making your car buying journey as easy as possible by providing you used car offers from different places and sellers on a single platform.
All cars on Auto Trader come with a price indicator, a free five-point background check and reviews of the seller from our customers to help you make the best choice. We also offer a Vehicle Check for a more in-depth background check to ensure you have total peace of mind. Buying a second-hand car can be a lengthy process at times. To make the process easier, we’ve prepared a used car checklist for you, to guide you through the car-buying journey. If you’ve got more questions, we’ve got plenty of tips and advice on buying a used car. Ready with your checklist? Check out our extensive range of used cars to find the perfect match for yourself.
All cars on Auto Trader come with a price indicator, a free five-point background check and reviews of the seller from our customers to help you make the best choice. We also offer a Vehicle Check for a more in-depth background check to ensure you have total peace of mind. Buying a second-hand car can be a lengthy process at times. To make the process easier, we’ve prepared a used car checklist for you, to guide you through the car-buying journey. If you’ve got more questions, we’ve got plenty of tips and advice on buying a used car. Ready with your checklist? Check out our extensive range of used cars to find the perfect match for yourself.