Dealer Ratings By Metro

647 Rated Lots. Pulled September 24, 2026.

How Tampa Car Lots Rate

We counted 647 rated used car dealers in the Tampa area. Each one had public star reviews when the data was pulled on September 24, 2026. The average lot scores 4.27 stars, about level with the 4.24 star average across all 109 metros we track. On average stars alone, Tampa comes in 49th out of 109 metros.

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White Hyundai Tucson under lights at night with every door and the hatch open
Some checks happen after dark, under lot lights.
  • 647Rated Dealers
  • 4.27Average Stars
  • 29Median Reviews
  • 56%4.5 Stars and Up
  • 22%Under 4 Stars

Written by Eric Schwalbe, Owner, KW Mobile Auto Repair, Bradenton FL. Author Source. Updated November 11, 2026.

How The Stars Spread In Tampa

Here 56% of rated dealers score 4.5 or higher. Meanwhile 22% score below 4 stars. The national figures are 51% and 23%.

  • Under 3.0 stars7%
  • 3.0 to 3.9 stars15%
  • 4.0 to 4.4 stars22%
  • 4.5 to 4.7 stars25%
  • 4.8 to 5.0 stars31%

Review Counts Behind The Stars

The median lot in Tampa has 29 reviews, so half the rated dealers have fewer. Only 9% have 1,000 reviews or more, and 44% have fewer than 20. A score built on a short record can move a full star after a few rough weeks.

One star reviews make up 16% of the reviews on the average Tampa lot. Read those first. Look for the same problem coming up again and again.

Lot Types In Tampa

Lot types rate differently. Here franchise dealers average the most stars at 4.48, while independent used lots average 4.26.

Rated Tampa Lots By Type
Lot TypeRatedAvg Stars4.5 and Up
Franchise dealers434.4860%
Independent used lots5924.2656%

21% of rated lots in Tampa list Sunday hours, which helps if you want a weekend inspection.

Before You Sign In Tampa

  1. Ask if an outside mechanic can see the car. A lot that says no to an inspection is telling you something.
  2. Check the VIN for open recalls. It is free and takes a minute. NHTSA recall lookup.
  3. Do not let the stars stand in for the car. A great lot can still sell a car with a problem nobody has found yet.
  4. Weigh the count with the stars. A 4.9 from 15 reviews says less than a 4.6 from 2,000.

A Rating Rates The Lot, Not The Car

Even the best rated lot in Tampa sells some cars it knows little about. Trade ins come in fast and go back out fast. An inspection is how you learn what the lot did not.

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.