No, you generally cannot buy a new or used car from a licensed dealership on a Sunday in Washington State. This is due to a long-standing state law that prohibits vehicle dealers from being open for the primary purpose of selling vehicles on Sundays. The law is designed to provide a uniform day of rest for the automotive industry. However, you can still perform other activities related to the car-buying process, and there are exceptions for private-party sales.
The restriction applies to the finalization of the sale, including signing the purchase contract. Dealerships are permitted to be open on Sundays for service, parts, and maintenance. You can visit a dealership to look at cars, take a test drive (if staff is available for non-sales purposes), or discuss financing, but you will not be able to complete the purchase transaction until another day of the week.
If you are set on buying from a private individual (a person-to-person sale through platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace), Sunday sales are perfectly legal. There are no restrictions on private party transactions. For dealership purchases, your best bet is to plan your car-buying activities for Monday through Saturday. Many dealers have extended hours on Saturdays to accommodate weekend shoppers.
| Activity | Allowed on Sunday in WA? |
|---|
| Visit a dealership to look at cars | Yes |
| Take a test drive (if arranged) | Yes |
| Discuss pricing and financing | Yes |
| Sign a purchase contract at a dealership | No |
| Buy a car from a private seller | Yes |
| Schedule service or repairs | Yes |
