What is the difference between buying a car at a 4S store and an auto trade store?
4 Answers
Differences between buying a car at a 4S store and an auto trade store: 1. Price difference: Since they are not subject to the manufacturer's price control, prices are adjusted according to the market. In most cases, auto trade stores generally offer cheaper prices. 2. Insurance difference: The insurance discounts at 4S stores are relatively low, but the final total insurance price is higher than at secondary stores, which is clearly due to different prices from different insurance companies for the same type of insurance. 3. After-sales difference: 4S stores are sales outlets that integrate car sales, maintenance, parts, and information services, while secondary stores lack sufficient after-sales support. If a secondary store drives and repairs the vehicle without authorization, even if the vehicle is still under warranty, it cannot enjoy the services provided by the 4S store during the warranty period. 4. Vehicle source difference: 4S stores are authorized dealers of brand manufacturers and only sell models of one brand, while auto trade stores can sell models of multiple brands. 4S stores refer to the overall sales, maintenance, after-sales, and parts sales of cars, while auto trade stores only sell cars and do not provide after-sales services (some have independent after-sales service guarantees).
I struggled with this issue when buying a car last year, and now I’ll share the differences. 4S stores are brand-exclusive dealerships that directly sell new cars with original factory warranties and services. After purchasing my car, I received several free maintenance services, but the price was significantly higher. Auto trading companies are mostly comprehensive car sales companies with lower prices and a wider variety of models, offering both new and nearly-new cars. However, their after-sales service is unreliable—a friend who bought a car there encountered issues with no support and had to find repairs on their own. It’s cheaper but troublesome. For beginners, I recommend choosing a 4S store for peace of mind and safety. The key point is trust: 4S stores are reliable but costly, while auto trading offers flexibility but comes with higher risks.
As a car enthusiast, I've researched quite a bit about these differences. 4S stores typically only sell specific brands of new cars, like Toyota-exclusive, with all services bundled in and high guarantees. Auto traders are different; they're more like multi-brand dealers, often with lower prices, but the post-sale warranty might be reduced, requiring additional insurance purchases. I personally tried buying from an auto trader—saved money but had to wait in line for maintenance, which was a bit annoying. Overall, 4S stores are the choice for stability, while auto traders suit those with tight budgets, but remember to check the car's condition.
Having worked in car repairs for many years, I've seen all kinds of situations. Buying from a 4S store is much better—new cars there are almost flawless, and the original factory warranty covers everything. Auto trading companies are a bit more chaotic; they have a wide range of sources, offering both used and new cars at tempting low prices. However, if something goes wrong, finding parts can be difficult, and repairs tend to drag on. I recommend car owners prioritize 4S stores to avoid headaches later on.
