If you’re thinking of buying a new or second-hand car, a dealership is the most reliable place to look. While you might end up spending more money than you would if you went to a private seller, you’re guaranteed to have a car which has passed its safety checks and is legally yours to own.

With that being said, some dealers are better than others- and there are always going to be a few bad eggs that let the industry down. Since you’re going to be handing over a lot of money to these people, you want to make sure that you can trust them to give you the best possible service.

If you want to make sure that you’re shopping with a trustworthy dealer, then here are some signs to look out for:

You Feel Heard

Since salespeople can often make a bigger commission from securing a more expensive sale, it’s likely that they will try and steer you towards looking at the cars that are at the higher end of your budget. But if you tell them that you’re not interested and they refuse to listen to you, you might be wasting your time at the wrong place.

The right sales staff will listen to your requirements and will gladly show you cars within your budget. A recommended business if you’re from the Cornwall area is My Car’s used cars in Cornwall. With over 500 pre-owned vehicles to choose from, it can be pretty daunting knowing which vehicle to opt for. Thankfully they have a live chat on their website, so if you have any doubts you can speak to a sales operator within a few minutes.

You Can Find Positive Reviews

Reading about someone else’s experience is a great way to see how trustworthy a car dealership is. If hundreds of people are leaving one or no star reviews and talking about the terrible service they had, then you should steer clear of the dealership.

Try to also stay away from the reviews on the company’s website as they’re often able to filter out or delete all of the negative ones. Instead, head over to websites like Trustpilot to look at some genuine experiences and opinions from others.

You Won’t Be Lied To Or Tricked

The salespeople at a trustworthy car dealership will never lie or trick you into making a sale. Before handing over your bank details, you should have been made aware of every little detail of the vehicle you’re purchasing.

Likewise, if the dealership is partaking in bait-and-switch tactics, where they use certain advertising to get you interested before changing the details once you show up, then it’s time to go elsewhere. Advertising should always be clear, honest and not misleading, so if you’re being lied to from the beginning, then this is a huge red flag.

The Cars Are High Quality

This might be an obvious one, but a trustworthy dealership is simply more likely to look the part. The showroom will be spotless, the cars will be shining, and the staff will come across as put together and professional.

If a dealer is making an effort with the aesthetics of their vehicles, then it’s more likely that they will also be going the extra mile with the inner workings of their cars. Your priority is to find a car that not only looks good, but also runs smoothly too, so a dealer that passes this test is worthy for you to visit.

You’re Not Being Pushed Into Making Any Decisions

While the job of a salesperson is to make a sale, you shouldn’t ever feel pressured or even bullied into making a purchase. A good salesperson will give you all the details and use some persuasion by informing you of all the plus points of the vehicle you’re looking at- but when it comes to making a decision, they will respect that the choice lies purely with you. If you feel any kind of pressure, then it’s time to get out.

You’re Offered A Test Drive

A dealer who is hiding something might be reluctant to give you a test drive- particularity if there are issues with the car that haven’t been disclosed. Not only does test driving a car allow you to spot any of these issues, but it also gives you an idea of whether or not it’s the right car for you.

If a dealer lets you test drive the car, then it shows that they’re confident in what they have to offer and don’t have anything to hide. Some salespeople might be reluctant to let you drive the car alone, so don’t feel put off if they ask to come for a ride with you. On the plus side, they will often show you handy features within the car that can be best demonstrated while driving.