How Long Does It Take to Buy a Car?

How Long Does It Take to Buy a New Car?

You may typically think of the car-buying process as the time spent at the dealership. But car buyers often spend the majority of their time researching before they ever set foot in a dealership.

Here's a look at the average amount of time spent on each stage of the car-buying process, according to the 2024 Cox Automotive Car Buyer Journey Study:

Source: 2024 Cox Automotive Car Buyer Journey Study

The biggest difference between new and used car buyers is in the initial research stage. Used car buyers typically spend an extra hour, primarily because each used vehicle has a unique history and condition that requires evaluation. Meanwhile, new cars of the same model are largely identical, save for trim differences.

For the rest of the process, though, it takes roughly the same amount of time whether you're buying new or used.

Once you arrive at the dealership, you can expect to spend roughly three hours completing the transaction. This timeline includes test driving, negotiating price, arranging financing and signing paperwork.

Learn more: Used Car vs. New Car: Which Should You Buy?

Factors That Affect How Long It Takes to Buy a Car

While you can expect to spend an average of three hours at the dealership where you ultimately buy your car, that timeline can stretch from under an hour to half a day. Here are some factors that can influence how long you'll need to wait before you can drive off the lot:

• Time of day: Visiting the dealership during off-peak hours, such as weekday mornings and early afternoons, typically means that more sales staff are available. This translates to shorter or even no wait time to get started.
• Inventory levels: Vehicle selection can have a significant impact on how long you spend finding the right one. The good news is that inventory levels have increased in the past few years. According to the Cox Automotive study, 32% of car buyers had trouble with limited inventory in 2024, down from 56% in 2022.
• Negotiation style: The negotiation phase can vary depending on how much research you've done beforehand and what your expectations are. It'll also depend on the dealer's negotiation style: Some may be more willing than others to meet you halfway.
• Financing: If you're planning to buy a car with cash, you're cutting out the most time-consuming stage in the process: financing. That said, if you are taking out an auto loan, getting preapproved before you head to the dealership can save you some time once you're there.
• Trade-in evaluation: If you plan to trade in a car, the dealership will need to inspect it and determine its market value. Then, you may need to negotiate the trade-in price separately to ensure you get a good offer. This process can add an extra 30 to 60 minutes.
• Paperwork and documentation: You'll need to have several documents on hand to complete the car-buying process. The basics include your driver's license, proof of insurance and payment method for your down payment or purchase. Depending on your situation, you may also need to provide proof of income, proof of residence, the trade-in title or your financing preapproval letter. Not having one or more documents will delay the process.

It's important to note that car buyers who complete more than 50% of the steps online, such as research, getting preapproved, shopping online and scheduling a test drive, spend an average of two hours and 15 minutes at the dealership.

Meanwhile, people who complete 20% or less of the process online spend an average of three hours and five minutes completing the transaction.

How to Speed Up the Buying Process

While you can't control every single aspect of the car-buying process, preparation is key. Here are some steps you can take to significantly reduce the amount of time you spend finalizing your purchase:

• Do your research ahead of time. Identify the specific make, model and trim level that you want before visiting any dealerships. Check local dealers' online inventories to confirm availability and compare prices. You can also research market values online with valuation tools from Kelley Blue Book and J.D. Power.
• Get preapproved for financing. Applying for an auto loan through your bank or another lender can preclude the need to have the dealer arrange financing on your behalf. It can also prevent the dealer from trying to use financing terms in your price negotiation, making the process simpler.
• Complete as many steps online as possible. Using digital tools to complete most of the car-buying process can save you nearly an hour. Consider completing all your research, loan preapproval and test-drive scheduling online. You could even complete the price negotiation with an online agent, saving you even more time.
• Have your documents ready to go. Make sure you have your driver's license, proof of insurance, proof of income, proof of residence and trade-in documentation (if applicable) when you head to the dealership. Having to return home could add hours to your process, depending on how far away you live and how long it takes to gather what you need.

Learn more: Auto Loan Rates and Financing

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Buying a car can be a significant time commitment, regardless of whether you're buying new or used. That said, the time spent at the dealership—an aspect many car buyers dread—can be shortened if you come prepared and complete most of the car-buying steps online.

Another way to make the process go more efficiently is to improve your credit. Some lenders waive proof of income and proof of residency requirements for borrowers with higher credit scores. With Experian's free credit monitoring tool, you can evaluate your credit health and get insights into how you can improve your credit score before buying a car.