Should I Buy From a Dealer or a Private Seller?
When you're buying a used car what's the difference between buying from a dealership and buying from a private seller?
A dealership will:
- Abide by the law - dealers have to follow the Consumer Rights Act which supports the buyer.
- Prepare the car - dealers prepare their used cars prior to offering them for sale; this means the car will be serviced, valeted, large stone-chips removed etc
- Want to keep you happy - dealers value their reputation and with social media around, they want to ensure you have a good buying experience.
A Private Seller:
- Can be cheaper - the Private Seller will not have spent any money preparing the car for sale, so their asking prices usually undercut dealers.
- Has no legal obligations - there is nothing supporting the buyer when making a purchase from a Private Seller, so 'buyer beware', you must ask the right questions to secure the right information.
- Has no reason to keep you happy - once you've purchased the car the transaction is over.
Buying from a Dealership vs Private Seller
Buying used cars is something many of us enter into with trepidation; we’re going to spend a large amount of money on something that isn’t new and for most of us that’s quite an uncomfortable thought.
Of course, we want the best deal; the newest car we can afford, with the least previous owners and at the lowest price and used cars bought from a dealership ARE generally more expensive than buying privately. So, why is this and is it worth the extra cost?
In 2025, the gap between dealerships and private sellers continues to grow, especially with the rise of online platforms, digital paperwork, and buyer protections. Franchised and independent dealers now offer greater peace of mind, often including warranties, multi-point inspections, and finance options - many even offer 14-day return policies under distance-selling regulations. With used car prices stabilising after years of volatility, more buyers are turning to dealers for security and convenience. Private sellers may still offer lower prices, but you get fewer protections: no warranty, no comeback if problems arise, and you're buying based on trust. For most buyers, especially those without mechanical know-how, buying from a reputable dealer in 2025 is the safer and more reliable route, even if it costs a little more upfront.
The Price
The most attractive thing about buying a used car privately is the price. The used cars you see advertised in the online classifieds, such as Autotrader and Motors, are from a mix of private sellers and dealers. Those offered for a sale by private sellers, are generally less expensive. And that’s the temptation, right there, to save money on what, on the surface, appears to be the same product.
But, are you comparing like for like; apart from the price, is the red, 19 plate VW Golf standing on Mr Smith’s drive, any different to the red, 19 plate VW Golf displayed on the dealer’s forecourt?
The Car
Certainly, at first glance, the two cars may look virtually identical; same colour, same year, same trim level, meaning the car from the private seller looks like a bit of a bargain. But, is it?
Closer inspection might reveal stone chips on the bonnet; maybe a few little dings and scratches. Inspection of the Service Book may show that the car is due a service and/or MOT in just a few weeks. All things which would have been addressed by the dealership in preparing their red, 15 plate VW Golf for sale.
Rectifying and addressing these issues will add to the cost of the car, so its selling price is not necessarily a true reflection of how much the car is initially going to cost you. Dealers spend money preparing used cars ready for sale; stone-chips, dings and scratches will be removed, the car will be given the appropriate service, as per the manufacturer’s schedule; it will have a warranty and if there are any problems you can go straight back to the dealer.
The Private Seller
When you buy a car from a private seller the onus is on YOU the buyer, to ensure that the car you buy is as described. The seller is under no obligation to tell you about any problems the car may have, so if the seller chooses not to disclose a problem and you don’t find it on the test drive, it’s your bad luck.
The only thing the seller cannot do is tell an outright lie to you about the car’s history or condition; that’s why the onus is on YOU to ask the right questions. Even if you believe they have lied, you have to be able to prove that they knew about the problem and gave you a false answer. Hard to do, as how can your prove they knew?
A car purchased from a private seller is ‘sold as seen’, there is no law to state that the car must be of satisfactory quality or indeed that it need to be fit for purpose; so, in essence, when you buy from a private seller it’s at your own risk, ‘buyer beware’ as they say.
Clearly not every Private Seller is 'out to fleece you', most are probably perfectly genuine, the trouble is, how can you tell the good from the bad?
The Dealer
The first thing to remember is that when you buy from your local dealer, you do have rights under the Consumer Rights Act and unlike when you buy from a private seller the car needs to be fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality. Peace of mind for you, because if the car doesn’t reach this minimum standard the dealer is in breach of their contract with you.
On top of this, no reputable dealer wants to provide shoddy service or unsafe cars; their reputation is vitally important to them, especially in these days of social media. They’d far rather have happy customers recommending them to their friends and family, than unhappy ones, complaining all over Facebook, Instagram and X.
Remember there are some services a dealer can offer, which a private seller simply cannot:
- Part exchange of your existing vehicle
- Arrangement of a range of finance products to assist in the purchase of your next car
- Dealers MUST check if the car has any outstanding finance or if it is stolen
- Buy online or apply for car finance from the comfort of your home!
All things to consider when you're in the market for a used car.
The Manufacturer
All the large brands have Approved Used schemes which are operated by their dealers. This means that not only do you have the back-up of the dealership when you buy a car from a dealer; you also have the weight of the manufacturer behind you.
Each manufacturer approved used scheme will offer slightly different benefits, but in general you can expect:
- Pre-sale multi-point check
- 12-24 month warranty
- Multi-point Vehicle Inspection
- 12 months roadside assistance
- Mileage Checks
- 5 days comprehensive and complementary insurance, while you shop around for the best deal
These extras bring real benefits to the buyer and are really worth considering when you're choosing where to buy your next used car from.
The Choice
As the buyer, the choice is yours. You need to weigh up the pros and cons of buying privately and from a dealer and decide what’s most important to you; price or peace of mind?
Here at Swansway Group, we are delighted to offer a smooth buying experience to help you purchase your next new or used vehicle. Browse our selection of cars on our website and get in touch via online enquiry, live chat or phone call to purchase online.
Find out more about how you can buy a car online with Swansway Group or find your Nearest car Dealer today!