Written by Henry Zeigler IV, Zigs Mobile Service, Paterson NJ. Author Source. Updated November 11, 2026.
How The Stars Spread In New York
Look at the two ends. 53% of lots here reach 4.5 stars or better, and 21% fall below 4. Across every metro those shares are 51% and 23%.
Review Counts Behind The Stars
Review counts in New York run thin at the bottom. The median is 30 reviews, 44% of lots have under 20, and 13% have passed 1,000. Always read the count next to the stars.
On a typical lot here, 15% of reviews are one star. That share shows how often a deal went badly enough for a buyer to write about it.
Lot Types In New York
Lot types rate differently. Here buy here pay here lots average the most stars at 4.84, while independent used lots average 4.23.
| Lot Type | Rated | Avg Stars | 4.5 and Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franchise dealers | 88 | 4.35 | 47% |
| Independent used lots | 511 | 4.23 | 53% |
| Buy here pay here lots | 10 | 4.84 | 90% |
| Truck lots | 15 | 4.23 | 47% |
29% of rated lots in New York list Sunday hours, which helps if you want a weekend inspection.
Before You Sign In New York
- Get every promise in writing. A spoken promise about a repair after the sale is hard to enforce. FTC used car guide.
- Read the one star reviews first. One bad review is noise. Ten about the same thing is a pattern.
- Ask if an outside mechanic can see the car. A lot that says no to an inspection is telling you something.
- Check the VIN for open recalls. It is free and takes a minute. NHTSA recall lookup.
A Rating Rates The Lot, Not The Car
A rating is a record of the lot, not the car on it. Two cars parked side by side under the same 4.7 star sign can be in very different shape. The only way to know is to have the car checked before you sign.
PPI Auto checks 122 points on the car for $225, including a computer scan and a road test. The inspector goes to the lot, and you do not need to be there.