Independent's day: why standalone car sales businesses trump franchised dealerships

If you're in the market for a used car, you might be confused as to where to look or who to trust - ultimately, you're going to commit to a purchase from one of two types of dealership: an independent dealer or a franchise.

What is an independent car dealer?

An independent used car dealership generally has no affiliation with a brand or manufacturer of vehicle. That's not to say that a dealership doesn't specialise in a particular brand - many do - it just means they aren't affiliated in any official way.

What are the benefits of shopping at an independent dealership?

As a customer there are plenty of incentives to purchase a vehicle from an independent dealer, which we'll take a look at below:

Competitive pricing

Smaller independent dealerships tend to have lower overheads, allowing them to be more competitively priced than larger franchises. If you're looking to save money on a high quality used Vauxhall, chances are you're going to find what you're looking for by shopping independent.

Customer service

Since independent operations are often family-owned and run, the loyalty and morale of staff tends to be higher than a large franchise where employees see their position as a "McJob". Internal competition tends to be higher among franchise staff, with many feeling the pressure to increase sales to hit targets or activate commission bonuses. Independent dealerships don't have the same ethic or environment, meaning that you're less likely to be given the hard sell and more likely to receive simple, honest advice on what vehicle will best suit your needs.

Warranties and after care service

Independent used car dealers generally offer longer warranties and better terms, particularly on older vehicles. After care service is generally part of the package without the customer having to jump through hoops to have a fault repaired.

At Thompson & Smith, our passion for helping our customers choose the right vehicle is unparalleled - except for perhaps our incredible aftercare service. We're not here to simply make money from our customers, we're here to build long-lasting relationships, ensuring that our business continues to thrive and our customers get the best possible value.