A new study found widening trust and transparency gaps in the traditional way consumers buy used vehicles, with 68 per cent of Canadians saying that they don’t trust that car dealerships have their best interests in mind.
The data comes from Clutch’s 2025 Used Car Buyers’ Confidence Report, which shows that figure increasing to 74 per cent for younger Canadians aged 18- to 34-years-old, and middle-aged Canadians aged 35- to 54-years-old. The company’s survey, conducted by Angus Reid on behalf of Clutch, uncovers widespread frustrations with buying pre-owned vehicles.
“Buying a car is one of the biggest financial purchases Canadians make, yet for too long, the process has felt unclear, high-pressure, and stacked against the buyer,” said Dan Park, CEO of Clutch, in a statement.
He added that upfront pricing, expert support, and full transparency with added benefits like at-home delivery and a 10-day return policy, something that Clutch offers, helped remove the friction in addition to “empowering Canadians with a smarter, modern way to buy and sell with confidence.”
The study found that the traditional dealership experience left most survey respondents with doubts, with 77 per cent noting issues or setbacks. That figure increases to 81 per cent for buyers aged 18–34, and 83 per cent for those aged 35–54. Among Canadians who did experience setbacks, Clutch said the most common issues were price negotiations (55 per cent).
They also cited undisclosed mechanical or cosmetic issues (50 per cent), and pressure from salespeople (50 per cent). And the aspects that cause the most frustration for Canadians in their used vehicle buying experience are undisclosed mechanical or cosmetic issues (40 per cent), price negotiations (35 per cent), and pressure from salespeople (31 per cent).
Many dealers are already tackling these issues, though the survey serves as a reminder as to what irks Canadian consumers the most when buying a used car.
