Selling a Car to a Dealer vs. Private Buyer

With the red-hot used vehicle market, there has never been a better time to sell your car. But how do you choose between selling to a dealer vs. a private buyer? We’ve discussed how easy it is to sell a car to a dealership in Georgia, but how does that compare to selling a car privately? Five Star Mazda takes a look at the pros and cons of selling a car to a dealer vs. private buyer. 

Pros and Cons of Selling to a Dealership in Georgia

Pros

• It’s easy: When you choose to sell a car to a dealership in Georgia, you don’t have to wait for a buyer, set a price, or deal with a stream of strangers wanting to test drive your car. You also won’t be stuck doing the paperwork. When you sell your car to Five Star Mazda we do the hard parts. 
• It’s quicker: This goes along with how easy it is to sell your car to a dealership—you can sell your car to us in an hour or two. 
• It’s less risky: You don’t have to worry about dealing with strangers wanting to test drive your car, or getting payment from them. When you sell your car to a dealer you can read their customer reviews and base your decision on what you find. 
• It’s more cost-effective: This is definitely the case if you trade your vehicle. When you trade for a new or used car at a dealership, you won’t pay sales tax on the trade-in amount. 

Cons

• You might get a lower offer: Because a dealer has the resources to accurately appraise your car, you’ll get the market value when you sell to a dealer. If you sell to a private party there’s a chance you might get more than the market value. 

Pros and Cons of Selling to a Private Buyer in Georgia

Pros

• Possibility of getting a higher offer: If a private buyer really wants your car they might be willing to pay more than the market value. 

Cons

• It’s time-consuming: When you sell a car to a private buyer, you’re stuck waiting for a buyer. You have to take time out of your day to answer their messages and meet with them. There’s also a significant amount of time required to complete the paperwork on your own.
• It requires patience: There can be a lot of waiting when you’re trying to find a private buyer for a car. There’s no set time frame and the selling process can drag on for a long time. 
• It’s riskier: You’ll be meeting with strangers and allowing them to test drive your car. While most people are on the up and up, some aren’t. Without a professional eye, it can be difficult to spot a scammer until it’s too late. 

Car Dealer vs. Private Buyer: The Bottom Line

So, which is the best choice for you when it comes to selling to a dealer vs. a private buyer? No matter which works best for you, get an estimate of the value of your old car with our complimentary trade valuation tool. If you’re ready to work with the professionals at Five Star Mazda, we’re ready for you! Just contact us to make an appointment to trade your car.

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