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An interesting Reddit r/UsedCars thread appeared recently that begs two questions:

1. Which is better to buy a used car from―a dealership or a private seller?
2. Where do we draw the line regarding honesty when selling a used car?

Here's What We Know From the Story…the Good and the Not-So-Good

The Reddit post originated with an OP asking for some guidance on the pros and cons of buying a used car through dealerships and private sellers with his take on what he believed to be true about both.

A post from StandByMe1977 offers helpful advice, stating that he recently bought three used cars through Facebook Marketplace from 3 different sellers:

1. A licensed dealer without a storefront.
2. A small used car dealership.
3. A private seller.

To ensure his chances that the candidate cars he is considering are not lemons, he follows this process:

1. He first asks if he would be allowed to take the car to a garage for a pre-purchase inspection if he decides to buy it, using the inspection results as a final check. If the seller refuses, he walks away to the next used car.
2. If the seller says "Yes, " he takes the car for a test drive.
3. If he is satisfied with the test drive, he then searches the car's VIN online for any red flags.
4. If he fails to find any red flags in his internet search, he pays for a CarFax Report to find out if there is an accident or damage record revealing that the vehicle is a totaled one that the seller planned on fixing and flipping.
5. If the CarFax Report shows nothing wrong with the used car, it is off to the bank to close the deal.

"This has worked well for me so far, and all three cars have been great so far," states StandByMe1977, admitting that he is patient and that he often has to go through many potential candidates to find the worthwhile few.

The plan is sound and is often recommended by automotive experts.

Not Everyone Agrees

However, a dissenting opinion in the thread from SoCal999 states that the used car shopping plan is flawed because he believes CarFax is a fraud and that he can title-wash any car.

"The only way you know a vehicle's history is if you buy it brand new. CarFax has made a lot of money selling people this false sense of security. I was in the car business when I was young, buying 150 used cars a month from the auctions for resell. I've seen everything."

A 3rd separate post from IMMrSerious states that they like the idea of buying from a private seller to save money with the rationale that "You should be able to get a sense of the person who drove the car" by looking at the condition of their home and neighborhood, whether they have a new car in the driveway, do they travel, whether they are moving, etc.

In other words, is there any evidence that makes the sale look sketchy to base your used car buying decision?

However, SoCal999 would have none of it, pointing out that this view is also flawed.

In other words, SoCal999 attests that relying on being "able to get a sense of the person who drove the car" may not always apply accurately. In the same breath, using himself as an example, he hammers on the point with his admission that he sold a Toyota truck, resorting to some less-than-honest car sales tactics before the buyer arrived.

Related article: I Located A Beautiful Chevy 4×4 Truck That Sounded Perfect: Low Miles, Great Condition, Etc." ―Until CARFAX Revealed A Hidden Scam That Even They Occasionally Miss On Their Car History Reports

So What Can We Make of This?

The posts bring up three engaging scenarios:

One, if you do your due diligence, you can find a good used car for the right price.

Two, counting on services like CarFax and/or your intuition will fail when someone selling a used car will do what it takes to hide problems.

Three, someone admits wrongdoing to win an argument on social media, which may or may not be accurate.

Be that as it may, let's give everyone the benefit of the doubt with my take on the story:

1. Following the due diligence post, you can find a good used car for the right price. There is always a chance you will be scammed, but following his practice does reduce the risk.
2. I know of no evidence of CarFax being fraudulent, and even CarFax admits that its reports are not infallible.
3. The message from SoCal999 appears to be that spending upwards of $10,000-$20,000 on a used car does not make sense because you never really know what someone is selling you. Therefore, in his experience and practice, you are better off spending more on a new vehicle to avoid the possibility of a problem vehicle.

Have You Ever Crossed the Line Selling Your Used Car?

However, the most interesting part of this is the “Elephant in the Room” question of where we draw the line regarding selling our used cars. How does tidying up some cosmetic issues differ from wiping down the underside of an engine and transmission to remove evidence of oil leaks?

Tell us (in the Comments section below) what you have experienced that you thought was wrong by a seller or right by what you have done as a used car seller.

In other words: Is "All's Fair in Love and Used Cars" a thing?

For more about buying a used car, here is one article in which an expert says he would not trust CarFax to determine whether a car was in a wreck.

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and works on restoring older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. He also reports on modern cars (including EVs) with a focus on DIY mechanics, buying and using tools, and other related topical automotive repair news. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites as well as on Facebook and his automotive blog "Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair" for useful daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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