How Long Does It Take to Buy a Car at a Dealership
Most vehicle purchases take one to three hours at the dealership. What pushes it toward three — or past it — is usually financing, trade appraisal, and paperwork that could have been started earlier.
Where the time actually goes
- Choosing the vehicle and test driving — 30 to 60 minutes if you have narrowed it down beforehand
- Trade appraisal — 20 to 30 minutes
- Financing approval — the most variable step, and much faster if you are pre-approved
- Paperwork and delivery — 30 to 45 minutes, including going over the vehicle with you
How to cut it down
Get pre-approved before you arrive
This is the single biggest time saver. It removes the longest unpredictable step.
Bring your documents
Driver's license, proof of insurance, and typically proof of income and residence. If you are trading, bring the title or lender information, both keys, and your service records.
Shop the price online first
Our prices are posted and do not change based on negotiation, so you can compare from home and arrive knowing the number. The posted price already includes our $788 administrative fee.
New inventory · Pre-owned inventory
Start your trade appraisal online
Make an appointment
It means a Product Specialist is ready when you arrive and the vehicle is pulled up and ready to drive.
Why negotiation is what usually takes the longest
At most dealerships, a significant part of the visit is going back and forth on price — and often being handed from a salesperson to a manager to a finance office along the way.
We do not work that way. One Simple Price means the posted price is the price, so there is nothing to negotiate. And you work with one person the whole way through.
SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT — We believe you should have your own personal automotive resource. Our Product Specialists are trained to understand you and your needs, and take you through the entire process including your paperwork. One person every step of the way.
You can also do most of it from home
Shop online, value your trade, and get pre-approved before you come in. We can bring the vehicle to you for a test drive, and delivery is complimentary within 75 miles.
HOME DELIVERY & TEST DRIVE — We believe you should be able to shop from the comfort of your home or office, and have your vehicle brought to you at your convenience.
Next steps
Related guide: How to buy a car in North Carolina