Buying a car from a dealership

[fluffedup]

When you buy a car from a dealership, should you get it checked out by a third party (such as the AA) as you would do when buying from a private seller?

I assume you are talking about a used car, not a new one.

You certainly could. Does the dealership offer a warranty for the car?

@MissConductUS

I assume you are talking about a used car, not a new one.

You certainly could. Does the dealership offer a warranty for the car?

Sorry, should have said, yes a used car.

The dealerships I've looked at do offer warranties and apparently you have more rights when buying from a dealership than from a private seller.

I was just wondering if others felt it necessary to have the extra reassurance of a check by the AA or similar.

For me, it would depend on the car. If it's not terribly old and the warranty was good I might skip it. Brand reliability would be a factor too. I probably would not buy from a private seller, but I am a bit chicken about such things.

What car are you thinking of buying?

Main dealer, no. I'd imagine all used cars are checked and prepped to a standard, hence main dealer price)

Arthur Daly/independent type used car forcourt, then yes I'd prob get an independent check done by AA/similar....

(But it's never a guarantee either way!)

@MissConductUS

For me, it would depend on the car. If it's not terribly old and the warranty was good I might skip it. Brand reliability would be a factor too. I probably would not buy from a private seller, but I am a bit chicken about such things.

What car are you thinking of buying?

It'll be a large car (7 seats, probably a Ford Galaxy) quite old ie about 7 - 8 years, roughly about £4000.

@OldSpeclkledHen

Main dealer, no. I'd imagine all used cars are checked and prepped to a standard, hence main dealer price)

Arthur Daly/independent type used car forcourt, then yes I'd prob get an independent check done by AA/similar....

(But it's never a guarantee either way!)

One of those we are looking at seems quite small and is online only, I would really prefer to buy from a large dealership as they have a reputation to protect, but there aren't many cars for sale of the type / age / price range we want.