Should I Buy From a Neighborhood Dealer?

John Paul, aka “the Car Doctor,’’ answers readers’ car-related questions.

Q. I am in the market for a six to eight year old Honda CR-V to keep at my beach house. Am I correct in believing that buying this car from a Honda dealer is a safer bet for a better quality car than buying from a neighborhood used car dealer?

A. Many times, the local used car lot and dealers all buy vehicles from the same place, a used car auction. The advantage of a new car dealer is that they may get a low mileage trade in from a previous customer and this could be a better car. When buying any six to eight year old used car, my advice is that no matter where purchased, have a used car inspection performed before buying the vehicle.

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