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Buying a car typically takes 3-5 hours at the dealership for most buyers, though prepared shoppers can complete the process in 30-60 minutes while unprepared buyers may spend an entire day[1]. The total end-to-end timeline—from initial research to driving away—ranges from same-day completion to 2-6 weeks for average buyers, or 4-16 weeks for factory-ordered vehicles[2]. Pre-approval for financing, completing research beforehand, and arriving with all necessary documents are the biggest time-savers.
Timeline Breakdown by Buyer Type
The car-buying experience varies dramatically based on preparation level. Understanding where you fall on this spectrum helps set realistic expectations.
| Buyer Scenario | Time at Dealership | End-to-End Time | Who Achieves This |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro buyer (pre-approved, cash, no trade) | 30-60 minutes | Same day | 5-10% of buyers[2] |
| Prepared with pre-approval + in-stock vehicle | 1-2 hours | Same day | Growing majority |
| Average buyer (some research) | 3-5 hours | 1-7 days | Most people[1] |
| Trade-in + dealer financing | 4-8+ hours | 1-14 days | Common scenario |
| Factory order or special configuration | N/A | 4-16 weeks | Custom builds |
According to Cox Automotive research, the average car buyer spent 14 hours and 39 minutes total researching, shopping, and purchasing their vehicle in 2022—an 18% increase from the prior year[3]. This included roughly an extra hour of online research plus 20 additional minutes at the dealership compared to 2021[3].
What Takes the Most Time at the Dealership
Dealership veteran Mark McDonald explains that the customer often doesn’t perceive their own activities—like multiple test drives or indecision—as consuming time, only what the salesperson does[4]. Understanding each phase helps identify where delays occur.
Test Drives and Vehicle Selection
Selecting the right vehicle can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on how decisively you’ve narrowed options beforehand[5]. Customers who want to drive multiple configurations—different colors, trims, or competing models—add 20-30 minutes per additional test drive. One salesperson recounted a customer who drove four variations of the same model before settling, consuming nearly two hours on test drives alone[4].
Price Negotiation
Negotiating purchase price, trade-in value, and payment terms typically consumes 30-60 minutes for straightforward deals[5]. Each component affects the others: pushing for a lower purchase price may result in reduced trade-in value or higher monthly payments. Edmunds recommends coming with an appraisal report and fair market price in mind to streamline this phase[5]. If you’re considering a vehicle’s MSRP, understanding the difference between sticker price and invoice price provides negotiating leverage.
Finance Office Processing
The finance department typically requires 20-60 minutes to print, review, and execute paperwork[6]. This phase includes credit applications, loan document signing, and presentations of extended warranties and add-on products. If dealer financing requires bank verification or multiple lender submissions, add 30-60 additional minutes[7].
One Reddit user shared that even after wiring payment ahead of time and arriving on a slow Tuesday afternoon, the finance process still consumed three hours—including a 90-minute wait for the finance manager[2].
How Long Financing Takes
Financing approval timelines vary significantly by lender type and borrower profile:
| Financing Method | Approval Time | Funding Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-approval from bank/credit union | Minutes to 1 day | Same day (ready to use) |
| Dealer financing (good credit) | 15-30 minutes | Immediate |
| Dealer financing (challenged credit) | 1-3 hours | Same day to 3 days |
| Private lender | 1-5 business days | 1-3 business days[8] |
A high credit score and low debt-to-income ratio generally lead to faster approval and better interest rates[8]. Completing finance applications usually takes 15-30 minutes, though processing varies based on lender workload and complexity[9].
For used car purchases, allow an additional 4-6 weeks after leaving the dealership for your new registration to arrive and the loan account to be fully established at the financing bank[10].
How to Buy a Car in Under 2 Hours
The most efficient buyers execute five key strategies:
Come Pre-Approved
Secure financing from your bank or credit union before visiting the dealership. This eliminates the finance department’s approval process and provides leverage if the dealer offers competitive rates. Pre-approval converts a 30-60 minute uncertainty into a 10-minute paperwork signing.
Research and Decide Beforehand
Use manufacturer inventory searches to identify specific vehicles with your preferred trim, color, and options before arriving. Knowing the stock number and having a fair price range eliminates the selection phase almost entirely[5]. If you’re evaluating different Audi sedans or comparing the Audi Q5 vs BMW X3, complete this research online.
Visit During Slow Periods
Weekday lunchtimes or Tuesday/Wednesday afternoons typically see lower traffic[5]. Saturdays are consistently the busiest and slowest days for completing transactions.
Bring All Required Documents
Arrive with your driver’s license, proof of insurance, vehicle registration (if trading), loan payoff statement (if applicable), and pre-approval letter. Missing documents create delays that add 30+ minutes to the process[11].
Decide on Add-Ons in Advance
Know whether you want extended warranties, paint protection, or service packages before entering the finance office. Being prepared to decline unnecessary add-ons reduces finance office time significantly[5].
New vs. Used Car Purchase Time
| Purchase Type | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| New car in stock | 2-4 hours (average); same day (prepared) |
| Used car from dealer lot | Same day or faster[2] |
| Private party sale | 30 minutes to 2 hours (cash deal)[2] |
| Factory order | 4-16 weeks |
Used car purchases often move faster since there’s no factory wait and less paperwork around warranties and factory incentives[2]. However, thorough used car buyers should budget time for a mileage evaluation and potentially a pre-purchase inspection.
Services like CarMax allow completing the entire used car purchase online—selecting the vehicle, securing financing, and arranging delivery—without requiring an in-person dealership visit[5].
Key Takeaways
- Most buyers spend 3-5 hours at the dealership, while prepared buyers complete purchases in 30-60 minutes
- The total research-to-keys timeline averages 2-6 weeks for typical buyers, or same-day for those who arrive fully prepared
- Pre-approval, advance research, visiting during slow periods, and bringing all documents are the most effective time-savers
- Finance office processing alone requires 20-60 minutes even for straightforward transactions
- Cash purchases and used cars typically complete faster than financed new vehicle purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a car in one day?
Yes, same-day purchases are possible for both new and used vehicles if the car is in stock[2]. Coming with pre-approved financing, knowing exactly which vehicle you want, and arriving during slow dealership hours makes same-day completion realistic for most buyers.
How long does it take to buy a car with cash?
Cash purchases typically take 1-2 hours at the dealership since they bypass the financing approval process[6]. On slow days with minimal waiting, some cash buyers report completing transactions in under an hour.
Why does the dealership take so long?
Multiple factors contribute to delays: inventory searches, back-and-forth negotiations, finance department queues, credit application processing, and document preparation[4]. The sales process involves multiple departments—sales floor, sales manager, and finance—each requiring coordination time.
How long does dealer financing approval take?
What paperwork should I bring to speed up the process?
Essential documents include: driver’s license, proof of insurance, vehicle registration and loan payoff statement (if trading in), pre-approval letter (if applicable), proof of income (for financing), and down payment[11]. Having these ready prevents delays that can add an hour or more to your visit.
References
- MotorTrend. (2025). Why Does It Take So Long to Buy a Car? https://www.motortrend.com/features/why-does-it-take-so-long-to-buy-a-car
- Car Talk PandaHub. (2025). How Long Does It Take To Buy A Car In 2026? https://cartalk.pandahub.com/car-buyer-guides/how-long-does-it-take-to-buy-a-car
- Money. (2024). Shopping for a Car Now Eats Up Nearly 15 Hours of Your Time. https://money.com/how-much-time-buy-car-report/
- MotorTrend. (2025). Car Salesman Confidential. https://www.motortrend.com/features/why-does-it-take-so-long-to-buy-a-car
- Edmunds. (2025). How Long Does It Take to Buy a Car? https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/how-long-does-it-take-to-buy-a-car.html
- Reddit r/askcarsales. (2024). How fast can I buy a new car from a dealership?
How fast can I buy a new car from a dealership?
byu/americanslang59 inaskcarsales - Reddit r/askcarsales. (2023). How long does it take to purchase a car?
How long does it take to purchase a car?
byu/jestervalen inaskcarsales - SoFi. (2025). When Is a Car Loan Finalized? https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/when-is-a-car-loan-finalized/
- CarFinance247. (2024). How Long Does It Take For Car Finance To Be Approved? https://www.carfinance247.co.uk/guide/how-long-does-it-take-for-car-finance-to-be-approved
- Reddit r/askcarsales. (2018). How long does the financing paperwork process take?
How long does the financing paperwork process take after buying a car?
byu/Ocsarr inaskcarsales - Edmunds. (2018). What to Bring With You When You Buy a New Car. https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/how-to-speed-up-car-buying-paperwork.html
I am a senior automotive analyst at Autvex. Expert vehicle evaluations, in-depth reviews, and objective analysis helping readers make informed automotive decisions with years of industry experience.
