Car supermarket

A car supermarket (also called a multi-make car dealer) is a large independent motor car retail outlet. It may sell a mixture of used and new cars from various brands, although most have their core business in selling new-to-three year old, mass-market ex-fleet vehicles such as the Vauxhall Vectra and Ford Focus, many of which have low mileages for their age and often with a full documented service history.

Some car supermarkets have over 2,000 vehicles on one site, many are stored partially or primarily indoors which offers the customer a greater range and choice over the tradition franchised dealer. Others specialize in particular car types (i.e. hybrid cars, electric cars and so on).

Due to the high volumes of vehicle sales, they typically sell vehicles at low prices, often several thousand pounds lower than those of a franchised or smaller independent used car showroom, or private sale. They also usually take cars in part exchange like other dealers. However, most car supermarkets operate on a "no-haggle" basis on the grounds that the cars' prices are already at true market value, The customer service may be as good as that found at a franchised dealer, for example they may encourage buyers to taking a full test drive and may prepare the vehicles to the same standard as a franchised dealer.

See also

* Aftermarket