Dealers put a surprising amount of truth on their own websites, mostly in the places nobody looks. Spend ten focused minutes there before you visit and you'll arrive knowing more than most buyers who've been on the lot for an hour.
Minute 1 to 3: the stock page
Count what's actually listed and look at the mix. Twenty SUVs and two hatches tells you who the yard is built for. Check whether cars show real photos of that vehicle or stock images, and whether each listing has a price, kilometres and a stock number you can quote.
Minute 4 to 6: the services
Look for finance, trade-ins, warranty, servicing and delivery. A dealer with its own workshop behaves differently after the sale from one without. If something isn't published, ask about it on the phone before you drive over.
If the car you want has been listed for weeks, that's not a red flag. It's a negotiating position.
Minute 7 to 8: the pricing language
Words like "driveaway", "fixed price" and "plus on-roads" tell you how the dealer prices before you ever meet a salesperson. Screenshot the listing. If the price changes on the day, you'll want the evidence.
Minute 9 to 10: the fine print
Check the address on the contact page matches where you're going (groups often share one website across several yards), and note the trading hours. Plenty of smaller yards close early on weekdays.
General information only. This story does not consider your objectives, finances or needs. Rules change: check the linked official sources and confirm details with the dealer before you sign.
