68% of Canadians Don’t Trust the Traditional Used Car Buying Process, New Study Finds

Clutch’s Used Car Buyers’ Confidence report reveals a call for more transparency, fair pricing, and less pressure in the used car-buying process

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Canadians are fed up with the stress, haggling, and hidden surprises that come with buying a used car. New research from Clutch, Canada’s leading online pre-owned car retailer, reveals widening trust and transparency gaps in the used car buying experience, with more than 3 in 5 (68%) of Canadians saying that they don’t trust that traditional car dealerships have their best interests in mind.

The Used Car Buyers’ Confidence Report, conducted by Angus Reid on behalf of Clutch, uncovers widespread frustrations with buying pre-owned vehicles, from high-pressure sales to unclear pricing and hidden issues, and points to a growing demand for modern, transparent alternatives.

Key Insights From the Report Include:

Most Canadians Encounter Problems When Buying Used Cars

The data reveals that the traditional dealership experience leaves most Canadians with doubts. Only 23% described their purchase process as smooth, while 77% said they encountered issues or setbacks. This rises to 81% for buyers aged 18–34 and 83% for those aged 35–54.

Among those who experienced setbacks, the most common issues were price negotiations (55%), undisclosed mechanical or cosmetic issues (50%), and pressure from salespeople (50%). They also cause the most frustration for Canadians in their used car buying experience: undisclosed mechanical or cosmetic issues (40%), price negotiations (35%), and pressure from salespeople (31%).

These patterns underscore a clear disconnect: the more consumers feel they are being “sold to” instead of informed, the more confidence erodes. Clutch addresses these gaps by owning every step of the process, from a 210-point inspection to in-house reconditioning, to the company’s rigorous certification standards, ensuring every vehicle meets consistent, high-quality benchmarks before it's ever listed for sale.

Haggling Is a Major Pain Point

Negotiation is one of the biggest stress triggers for buyers in the process. One in three (33%) Canadians are uncomfortable negotiating with salespeople, with:

• 22% of respondents preferring to avoid it entirely,
• 11% of respondents finding it stressful or overwhelming,
• Women are more likely than men to feel uncomfortable (39% vs. 28%)
• Younger and middle-aged buyers (18–54) are more likely than seniors to dislike negotiating (37% vs. 28%)

No-haggle pricing — where the listed price is final — appeals to a third of Canadians buying online. This preference aligns with broader calls for transparent, fixed pricing that removes the power imbalance from the buying process.

“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. “We built Clutch to change that. By combining upfront pricing, expert support, and full transparency with added benefits like at-home delivery and a 10-day return policy, we’re removing the friction and empowering Canadians with a smarter, modern way to buy and sell with confidence.”

Canadians Value Proof and Protection When Buying Used Cars

When asked what would make them more confident in purchasing a used car, up Canadians made it clear they value transparency, third-party verification, and post-purchase protection:

• Transparent vehicle history and condition reports (75%) — rising to 80% for those aged 18–34 and 82% for those aged 35–54
• Independent inspection included (72%)
• Longer return window or satisfaction guarantee (57%) — rising to 61% for those aged 18–34 and 62% for those aged 35–54
• No-haggle pricing (33%)

When choosing between ways to build trust, 56% said both a short in-person test drive and a multi-day return policy would help. However, more prioritize a multi-day return window (25%) over a short test drive (11%), and 36% say they would want 1-3 days of use before committing to purchasing the vehicle. While 78% say they likely wouldn’t use a return policy, simply having the option builds peace of mind.

The results point to a clear shift toward modern, trustworthy alternatives like Clutch, which offer an end-to-end car buying and selling experience built on transparency, trust, and convenience.

Clutch gives Canadians confidence in car buying with fixed, upfront pricing powered by AI and real market data—so everyone gets the same fair deal, no haggling required. Full-fee transparency means no surprises or hidden costs. Every vehicle undergoes a 210-point inspection, is fully reconditioned in-house, and comes with a detailed history report.

Buyers receive no-pressure support from licensed experts by chat, phone, video, or in person, plus fast home delivery, easy pickup, and a clearly defined return window to ensure the car fits their life.

To learn more about Clutch, please visit clutch.ca.

About Clutch
Founded in 2016, Clutch is Canada’s leading online car retailer, transforming the way Canadians buy and sell pre-owned vehicles. Through clutch.ca, customers can browse thousands of high-quality, certified vehicles and complete their purchase entirely online, including financing, insurance, and seamless home delivery. Every vehicle is Clutch Certified and backed by a 10-day money-back guarantee, meaning if customers don't love it, they can return it, no questions asked. Headquartered in Toronto, Clutch currently serves Ontario and Nova Scotia, with vehicle selling services also available in British Columbia, including both at-home pickup and drop-off at our Richmond retail hub.

To learn more about Clutch, visit clutch.ca. Read more on our blog here.

Methodology: These findings are from a survey conducted by Clutch from July 30^th to August 5^th, 2025, among a representative sample of 1020 online adult Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.