You’ve Got Questions. We’ve Got Answers!

There is no need to haggle with Auto City. We give every car our best price upfront so you can focus on choosing the right vehicle to fit your needs. We believe a “no haggle” approach establishes transparency and eliminates much of the stress traditionally associated with buying a car. This does not mean you are not getting a great deal! Our prices are some of the best around. We are very competitive and aim to be a price leader. At Auto City, there is no need to haggle your way to a great deal because you are getting a great deal.

In addition, due to our inventory turn policy we always have cars that are on sale. These vehicles are not inferior in quality or features. They simply are not selling as fast as we want them to. We lower the price, often to our cost or even below, to have them sold as quickly as possible. Please visit our specials page to score an amazing deal!

To learn more about how we price our cars, please read our blog post: Auto City Advantage of Perfect Pricing.

Yes we do! We help people with no credit, low credit, collections, repossessions, delinquent accounts, and even open bankruptcies each and every day. No matter what your credit issues, you are not alone. Millions of people have similar challenges, and there are many lenders and banks that want their business, and your business as well. We work with some of the best of these lenders. Let us go to work for you and find the right option. Please fill out our quick application now or learn more about financing and challenged credit.

Every car comes with a 90-day/3,000-mile limited warranty. Many vehicles may still be under a factory warranty. In addition, we also offer service contracts and other protection products that are very popular among our customers. Please contact one of our friendly sales advisors for additional information.

We acquire our inventory from a number of sources, but regardless of where our cars come from we are very selective in what we carry. One of the top sources of inventory for any dealership are the wholesale dealer-only auto auctions. Millions of lease returns, trade-ins and bank-owned vehicles are sold through these auctions every year. Nearly every car will end up at an auction at least once in its lifetime. Our buyers look at a hundred or more cars just to buy one. We work very hard to choose only the best vehicles. Additionally, we keep the cleanest tradeins from our customers to recondition and resell, and we also buy cars from the general public. Have a car to sell or trade in? Get a competitive offer from Auto City!

If for any reason you have second thoughts about your purchase, you can return the car within 3 days for a full refund as long as you drove it fewer than 500 miles and there is no damage to the vehicle. Buy it, drive it, love it, or return it!

For more information watch this short video or read our blog post: Three-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Auto City opened its doors in 2008 at a small location in central San Diego with a vision to make car buying better and make car dealers likable again. Within two years we were able to relocate to our spacious location with hundreds of cars in stock, a state-of-the-art service and reconditioning department, and thousands of happy customers. Watch this short video about our process or learn more about Auto City.

Yes we do, and we are very good at it! We have exclusive relationships with some of the best banks, credit unions and other lenders in the industry. Whether your credit is spotless or spotty at best, we will work hard to get you the best auto loan to match your needs. Watch this short video for more information or apply now.

Interest rates vary greatly and depend on many factors, including your credit, the vehicle’s age and condition, the length of the loan, and more. This is especially true for customers with not-so-perfect or challenged credit. We work with many lenders and are able to secure competitive rates available for your credit tier. To figure out your rate, please submit a quick financing application and we will get back to you in minutes!

We have one location. Our address is 400 North Johnson Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92020. Watch this short video about our process or learn more about Auto City.

You need to have insurance to drive the car home from our lot. If you currently have insurance for another vehicle, the newly purchased vehicle may be covered under your existing policy for a period of time. Please inquire with your insurance company about the necessary arrangements. If you do not have a policy that covers the newly purchased vehicle, you may obtain one from a provider of your choice before driving away in your new ride.

You will have zero interaction with the DMV because we handle all the necessary paperwork as long as you’re planning to register your vehicle in California. Out-of-state buyers will receive all the necessary documents at the time of signing and are required to complete transfer of ownership in their home state.

If for any reason you have second thoughts about your purchase, you can return the car within 3 days for a full refund as long as you drove it fewer than 500 miles and there is no damage to the vehicle. Buy it, drive it, love it, or return it!

For more information watch this short video or read our blog post: Three-Day Money-Back Guarantee

You will receive your temporary registration immediately, and the rest of the paperwork will arrive in the mail shortly thereafter. As a licensed California dealership, we are required to complete the transfer of ownership within 90 days. However, our average processing time is just 4-6 weeks. Please keep in mind the registration and the title are each sent to you separately.

In California, plates stay with the vehicle. If the vehicle is missing one or both plates, you will be issued a new set of plates at the time of sale.

Your registration and title are each sent to you separately. You should receive your registration first. Please allow up to 4 weeks from the time you receive your registration for your title to arrive. Please note that If you are financing your vehicle, then the title goes directly to your lender.

Absolutely. We do not sell or buy cars with salvage titles

We make every effort to remove a car from our website right after it sells or if we have a committed buyer. However, once in a blue moon we may be selling the vehicle you are interested in as you are looking at it online. Even though this is rare, we have had it happen before. Please confirm in advance and we will make sure your future car is here when you arrive.

There is no need to haggle with Auto City. We give every car our best price upfront so you can focus on choosing the right vehicle to fit your needs. We believe a “no haggle” approach establishes transparency and eliminates much of the stress traditionally associated with buying a car. This does not mean you are not getting a great deal!

Our prices are some of the best around. We are very competitive and aim to be a price leader. At Auto City, there is no need to haggle your way to a great deal because you are getting a great deal.

In addition, due to our inventory turn policy we always have cars that are on sale. These vehicles are not inferior in quality or features. They simply are not selling as fast as we want them to. We lower the price, often to our cost or even below, to have them sold as quickly as possible. Please visit our specials page to score an amazing deal!

To learn more about how we price our cars, please read our blog post: Auto City Advantage of Perfect Pricing.

Our service and reconditioning department is equipped with the latest in automotive technology and is staffed with a team of seasoned professionals with years of experience and solid automotive expertise. We start with a detailed vehicle inspection to check for any needed maintenance, repairs or cosmetic blemishes. We then perform the necessary maintenance or repairs. This always includes an oil change and simple maintenance. Sometimes, however, a vehicle may require reconditioning beyond basic maintenance, such as tires, belts, gaskets, engine work, or a scratched panel may need to be repainted. Whatever a vehicle may need, we make sure it gets done. The final steps are detailing and quality control. Only then we are ready to present the vehicle to you, the customer. Please watch this short video to learn more about the Auto City advantage of superior inventory.

We acquire our inventory from a number of sources, but regardless of where our cars come from we are very selective in what we carry. One of the top sources of inventory for any dealership are the wholesale dealer-only auto auctions. Millions of lease returns, trade-ins and bank-owned vehicles are sold through these auctions every year. Nearly every car will end up at an auction at least once in its lifetime. Our buyers look at a hundred or more cars just to buy one. We work very hard to choose only the best vehicles. Additionally, we keep the cleanest tradeins from our customers to recondition and resell, and we also buy cars from the general public. Have a car to sell or trade in? Get a competitive offer from Auto City!

To learn more about how we source our inventory, please refer to our blog post: How We Source Our Cars.

Every car comes with a 90-day/3,000-mile limited warranty. Many vehicles may still be under a factory warranty. In addition, we also offer service contracts and other protection products that are very popular among our customers. Please contact one of our friendly sales staff for additional information.

Yes, we do. Auto City has partnered up with CARFAX to provide you with free vehicle history reports for our inventory. Look for a CARFAX on a vehicle detail page or just ask your sales advisor. If you have any questions about the information listed on a history report, please contact us.

Absolutely. Please feel free to have any vehicle independently inspected by a mechanic of your choice. We can even facilitate the inspection by dropping the vehicle off at your mechanic. Please contact one of our friendly advisors if you would like to arrange an inspection.

There is no problem if you are missing your title and/or registration as long as your vehicle is registered and titled in California. However, for out-of-state cars, the title is required.

We would love a chance to purchase your vehicle! In fact, one of our major sources of inventory are the cars we buy from the general public. Auto City is not only one of the best places to buy a car, we are are also one of the best places to sell your car! Our appraisal process is easy, quick, fair, and transparent, and our offers are very competitive. Why else would you sell your car to us? Besides, who has the time it takes to sell a car on your own? With Auto City, you don’t have to worry about posting ads, answering phone calls, or meeting strangers. You also won’t have to do any pre-sale repairs or a smog check. We’ll take your car AS IS, issue you an immediate payment, and take care of all the paperwork. We will even give you a complimentary ride to anywhere in San Diego County

you need to go after the sale! Have a car to sell? Tell us about it!

If you want to sell your car and you have negative equity in it (the value of the car is less than the loan balance), then the difference between the agreed-upon price and the outstanding loan balance has to be paid to Auto City at the time of sale. We will then pay off the lender on your behalf. If you want to trade in a vehicle with negative equity, it may be rolled into a new loan (contingent on lender approval) or paid to Auto City.

The reality is that you’d probably get the most out of you car by selling it privately. However, selling a car on your own takes time and effort, and can also be unpredictable and stressful. Posting ads, answering phone calls, test drives, waiting around for a buyer to come up with a payment or arrange a loan – who has time for all that?

Depending on the condition of your vehicle, you also may need to do some repairs in order to sell it for a decent price. And if something goes wrong after the sale, you may have an unhappy buyer to deal with. At Auto City, there is none of that! You still get a fair and reasonable value for your trade without the hassles and risks of selling it yourself. We’ll take your car AS IS and take care of all the paperwork. Do you have a car to trade in or sell? Trade it in to Auto City!

To learn more about your options, please read our blog post: Should You Trade in Your Car or Sell it Yourself?

Please bring the following: Your driver’s license or valid ID, title and/or registration if available, keys, and any service records available. If the vehicle is not paid off, please have your lender’s information and your pay off amount handy as well

You do not have to. We handle all the paperwork!

There is no need to smog your vehicle if you are planing to trade it in or sell it to Auto City.

Yes, you can. If you want to sell your car and it is not paid off, we will pay you the agreed price less the outstanding balance on the vehicle, which we will send to your lender. If there is negative equity in the car (the value of the car is less than the loan balance), then the difference between the agreed-upon price and the outstanding loan balance has to be paid to Auto City at the time of sale. If you want to trade in a vehicle that is not paid off, the process is similar. We will apply the agreed-upon trade-in value towards your new vehicle less the outstanding balance of your loan. If there is negative equity, it may be rolled into a new loan (contingent on lender approval) or paid to Auto City.

We keep the best vehicles to recondition and sell from our lot and wholesale the rest. In fact, one of the major sources of our inventory are the cars we buy from the general public. Please check our inventory page to see our current selection.

Our offers are very aggressive and competitive, so if you have an appraisal from a different dealership or a car buying service, chances are good that we can beat it! Please tell us about your vehicle and the offer to beat and we will do our best to beat it.

Auto City opened its doors in 2008 at a small location in central San Diego with a vision to make car buying better and make car dealers likable again. Within two years we were able to relocate to our spacious location with hundreds of cars in stock, a state-of-the-art service and reconditioning department, and thousands of happy customers. Watch this short video about our process or learn more about Auto City.

We have one location. Our address is 400 North Johnson Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92020. Watch this short video about our process or learn more about Auto City.

Yes, we do! Our experienced technicians and friendly service advisors are ready to help with any repairs or maintenance your vehicle may need. We work on all makes and models and we do it all, from maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs, to warranty claims and tire & wheel services. Quality auto repair does not have to be expensive. To learn more, check out our specials or schedule an appointment at our service department page.

Yes we can! Quite often we are able to get better terms for our customers than their bank or credit union. And if we can’t, we will gladly work with your lender. Want to know if we can do better? Fill out our short financing application and we will go to work for you to deliver the best possible terms!

Yes, we will gladly work with most banks, credit unions, or other auto lenders. If you want, we can even try to beat the approval you already have!

We often arrange loans with no money down. However, this may not be possible for some customers, and a down payment may be required to finance a vehicle. The required amount depends on many factors, most of which depend on the vehicle itself and your credit. In order to know how much money down you need, please fill out a short financing application and we will let you know.

Our application process is very easy and starts with a short online form. We then review your application and let you know by email or telephone if we have any questions or need more information. Once we’ve finished our initial review of your application, we’ll send it off electronically to our carefully selected network of banks and lenders. These lenders all know they’re competing with each other to get your business, and it’s awesome to see multiple offers come rolling in all geared towards your needs and profile. Then we scan all the offers we receive from our network and choose the ones that fit your situation. You are only a few clicks away from a car loan! Apply now.

The amount of money down is only one factor that influences your interest rate. The vehicle’s age, your credit and income, and other factors are also important. Depending on the situation, more money down may or may not affect your interest rate. Please contact one of our friendly sales & finance advisors or fill out our short financing application and we will let you know.

We work with some of the best banks and lenders in the auto industry, many of which you will recognize, such as Wells Fargo, CapitalOne, Chase, Ally, California Republic Bank, local credit unions, and many more. We also work with a network of specialized lenders with a focus on customers with challenged credit. Perfect credit or not, we can find a lender for you.

Yes, you can pay off your car loan sooner and at any time without any prepayment penalties.

Interest rates vary greatly and depend on many factors, including your credit, the vehicle’s age and condition, the length of the loan, and more. This is especially true for customers with not-so-perfect or challenged credit. We work with many lenders and are able to secure competitive rates available for your credit tier. To figure out your rate, please submit a quick financing application and we will get back to you in minutes!

The selling price is the same regardless if the vehicle is paid for in cash or financed. However, loan interest has to be taken into account as part of the overall cost of ownership when financing a vehicle.

In most cases a co-signer is not required. However, a co-signer with better credit and/or financial situation may help you get better terms. In some cases, however, we can only finance with a qualified co-signer. Please contact one of our friendly sales & finance advisors for more information.

Yes, we do. We have a special program for customers undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. This program is designed to give you a fresh start and, in most cases, no down payment is required. Please contact us for more information or start by submitting a short financing application.

Your monthly payments will depend on factors such as the price of the vehicle, your down payment, length of the loan, and the interest rate. Please use our payment calculator to get an idea, or contact one of our friendly sales & finance advisors.

Yes, we can! We can work on your application and check your credit if you submit a financing application that takes less than 5 minutes to fill out . We will then review your application and let you know by email or telephone if we need more information and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You are only a few clicks away from a car loan! Apply now.

There are no restrictions. You can shop for any vehicle you can afford. Affordability and payment-to-income and debt-to-income ratios are some of the most important things lenders look at when evaluating your application for a certain vehicle. Please use our payment calculator to estimate if a vehicle you are interested in is affordable, or contact contact one of our friendly sales & finance advisors for more information.

Auto City does not arrange in-house financing, a term usually referred to “buy-here-pay-here” dealerships. We’ve partnered up with some of the best auto lenders and banks in the industry, including many names that you will recognize such as Wells Fargo, CapitalOne, Chase, Ally, California Republic Bank, and many more. And yes, these lenders do have programs for people with challenged credit and they do want your business! Additionally, we also work with a network of specialized lenders with a focus on customers with challenged credit. Regardless of your situation, chances are good we can find a program for you. Fill out a short financing application to get started!

Yes, your auto loan will be reported to the credit bureaus and if kept in good standing may help improve your credit.

Down payment is often required for customers with challenged credit. The amount depends on many factors, most of which depend on the vehicle itself and your credit and financial situation. In order to know how much money down you need, please fill out a short financing application and we will let you know.

There are certain instances when we cannot finance a customer. However, these situations are unique and we have been able to help customers with a variety of seemingly impossible challenges. Some of the situations that make it harder to obtain financing include the following: No sources of income or income that cannot be verified, no driver’s license, and too many existing open car loans. Regardless of your situation, please contact our knowledgeable sales & finance staff to see if and how we can help.

Most work we perform comes with a warranty covering 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. That’s what we call peace of mind! Some rare exceptions may apply. Please contact one of our service advisors for details.

Our service technicians are trained to work on any make and model of car. Whether it’s replacing your wiper blades or rebuilding a transmission, we’ve got you covered. Auto City is your one-stop shop when it comes to keeping your car running in tip-top shape or fixing it when something goes wrong. We perform maintenance, diagnostics, repairs, and tire & wheel services. Please visit our service department page to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

Our automotive technicians are as good as any found at name-brand dealerships, but without the hefty price tag. Why pay more?

At Auto City, we believe maintenance and repairs don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. We offer competitive pricing on service that is lower than what you would pay at a brand-name dealership with the same level of quality. Why pay more?

Scheduling an appointment is easy. You can do it online or by calling one of our friendly service advisors.

Yes! Routine maintenance and unexpected repairs hit you where it hurts the most – your wallet. That’s why we always offer an array of service specials to save you some of your hard-earned dollars. Please visit our service department page for our current specials.

Generally, service contacts cover various components of your vehicle in case of breakdown. These may include the engine, transmission, axles, electronic components, and more. Many contracts also have additional benefits such as roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement. Depending on the type of contract, the scope of coverage may vary. We offer various types of service contracts with coverage ranging from basic drive-train components to comprehensive protection that includes nearly every aspect of your vehicle. Please talk to one of our friendly sales advisors to determine which coverage is the best option for you and your vehicle.

Please read more in our blog post: Service Contract – Should You Purchase One?

We offer contracts as short as 1 year and as long as 6 years.

When you need to make a claim on your service contract, you can take your vehicle to the licensed mechanic of your choice, whether it is a neighborhood repair shop you have used for years, a name-brand dealership, or Auto City’s service department. Regardless of where you take your vehicle, the claims process is very easy and straightforward.

Yes, you can! We will even waive your deductible! Our experienced technicians and friendly service advisors are ready to help with any repairs your vehicle may need. To start a claim, please contact our service department and we will do the rest!

All the finance & insurance products we offer, including service contracts, are optional.

It depends on the service contract. The standard deductible is $100, but there are contracts with no deductibles as well. As a cool bonus, if you make a claim with Auto City, we will waive your deductible regardless of what it is!

Absolutely yes.

All the finance & insurance products we offer, including GAP, are optional.

GAP corresponds to the length of your car loan. For example, if you have a 5-year loan, then GAP is good for 5 years as well.

Yes, if you feel that you no longer need GAP, you may cancel and get a pro-rated refund. If you decide to cancel, please contact us and we will assist with the cancellation.

Express 5 is an optional appearance protection program that includes the following 5 components: dent/ding/crease protection, key/remote protection, roadside assistance, windshield protection, and tire & wheel protection.

The claims process is straightforward and easy. In a nutshell, you are only a phone call away from roadside assistance or, if you need repairs, simply bring the vehicle back to the dealership to have it worked on.

All the finance & insurance products we offer, including Express 5, are optional.

Yes, if you feel you no longer need Express 5, you may cancel and get a pro-rated refund. If you decide to cancel, please contact us and we will assist with the cancellation.

Yes, to be eligible for Theft Protection you need to have comprehensive insurance coverage on the vehicle.

Your insurance may cover theft, but the Theft Protection program is supplementary and designed to give you an additional benefit in case your vehicle is stolen. Moreover, window etching acts as a theft deterrent device, making car thieves think twice about stealing your car and easier to recover for law enforcement.

All the finance & insurance products we offer, including Theft Protection, are optional.

The maximum term of the coverage is 5 years.

No, Theft Protection is a non-cancellable service. Once you sign up for Theft Protection, you are committed to the full term of the agreement. This ensures continuous protection for your vehicle.

You can start the process right after you filed for bankruptcy.

Declaring bankruptcy means you recognize things have gotten out of control and you need help. Filing for bankruptcy means you get to make a fresh start and do better. There are lenders who recognize and appreciate this and want to help you get the car you need. With your debts wiped away or scheduled for payment, your debt-to-income ratio is suddenly a whole lot better than it was before you filed, making you a more attractive borrower.

There are bankruptcy lenders who don’t require any down payment at all, but all lenders like to see a down payment, and making one will help you get better terms on your loan. Aim for $500 or $1,000 fora down payment.

The best way to rebuild your credit after bankruptcy is to incur reasonable new debt and make your payments on time. We’ve identified the best lenders who will work with you in spite of a bankruptcy, and this is what repairs your damaged credit.

The lender you work with will just want to verify that the balance due on the car is included in the bankruptcy and that you’re making arrangements to surrender the vehicle to the loan servicer or whoever is to take possession of the vehicle.

Yes! No purchase, obligations, or commitments are required. However, if you will need financing to make a potential purchase, we can only schedule a test-drive appointment if you first fill out our quick finance application on our website. This helps both us and you know you can be approved before getting serious about car shopping.

Auto City will deliver a vehicle anywhere in San Diego County, whether it’s your home, your office, or some other location where you’re going to be and have time for a test drive.

Auto City’s home delivery test-drive service is available during our regular business hours, which are 9AM-8PM (Monday through Saturday) and 11AM- 6PM on Sundays.

Yes! When we drop a vehicle off, you must be present so we can take a digital photo of your driver’s license before handing the keys over to you.

We will come back to pick up the car exactly one hour after dropping it off. You must be present with the vehicle at that time to hand the keys back over to us.