Is It Suspicious to Buy a Car with Cash?

Published on: December 13, 2023

Walking up to a car dealership with a duffle bag of cash might seem like a scene from a movie, and while it is not illegal to buy a car with cash, it is suspicious and will certainly raise some red flags.

Using cash to buy a car can be viewed with suspicion because paper currency is harder to trace, easier to counterfeit, and more susceptible to theft than a credit or debit card. While some consider a large transaction in all paper currency quite suspicious, others are willing to accept cash buyers. Stick around to uncover the ins and outs of purchasing a car with cash.

Key Takeaways

Cash raises eyebrows at dealerships due to its rarity. Electronic payments are more common and convenient, making cash transactions stand out.
Dealerships may decline cash purchases due to difficulties in tracking the sale or suspicions of foul play. Three main reasons for dealers considering cash suspicious include the ease of counterfeiting, the association of cash with criminal activities, and the risk of dealing with stolen money.
Some dealers may accept cash transactions due to the potential cost savings on transaction charges, flexibility in return policies, and the lack of wait time for both parties.

Why Is It Suspicious To Buy a Car with Cash?

Purchasing a car with cash is a red flag because it is a rare event at a dealership. Electronic payments are more convenient and more common.

As outlined below, physical cash is incredibly hard to trace, raising alarm bells for some dealers. To prevent triggering a refusal, you're better off paying electronically if possible

Tips for buying a car with cash

Why Dealerships Don't Want You To Pay in Cash

A car dealership may elect to refuse a cash purchase because they don't feel comfortable enough tracking the sale or they suspect foul play.

Dealerships may refuse cash deals for several viable reasons, even though cash is legal tender and you should be able to use paper currency to buy a vehicle. However, private businesses withhold the right to refuse service for anything — big piles of cash included.

Despite how it may feel, they aren't trying to be difficult. Here are the three main reasons dealerships consider cash suspicious:

1. Cash Is Easier to Fake

Fake usable credit cards are nearly impossible to fashion, but the same cannot be said for cold hard cash. The world is filled with counterfeit paper dollars.

While banks don't fall for fake money, many faux forms go unnoticed. Without proper training, you're likely to miss the telltale (but subtle) clues that set counterfeit currency apart from the rest.

And dealerships know this. Thus, they're apprehensive when presented with great wads of cash. Since finding somebody who's used fake cash is challenging, dealers prefer a more reliable transaction type.

2. Cash and Criminals Go Hand-in-Hand

The low traceability factor makes it the go-to tender for criminal organizations.

Granted, you aren't a criminal for carrying cash. After all, authentic paper currency is legal and used by everybody from time to time. But from a criminal's point of view, cash lets them profit from illegal acts while concealing revenue from the Internal Revenue Service and law enforcement.

With that in mind, buying a car with cash could be the ideal way to offload such gains and create a legitimate purchase with legal paperwork.

3. Cash Is Stolen Easily

You can't tell whether a piece of paper currency was stolen. Hence, nobody (generally speaking) leaves their net worth in actual cash nowadays. Anybody who finds cash can claim it for themselves, knowing there's next to no chance of being proven wrong.

Of course, dealerships are savvy to this fact. Not only do they want to avoid accepting stolen money, but they don't want duffel bags of cash languishing in their offices. They'd become a massive target for theft, necessitating higher security levels to keep everything safe.

Dealerships Want You To Agree to a Car Lease

Aside from all the above, dealerships don't make as much money when you pay cash. Their immense profitability lies in vehicle financing. Even though they don't receive a lump sum upfront, they'll benefit from a higher level of profit in the long run.

On top of that, some lenders incentivize dealerships to boost the chances of encouraging shoppers to select finance options over cash buys.

Understanding the Car Lease

With a car lease, the dealership is lending you the money. You'll receive a set term within which you'll lease your vehicle, allowing you to drive it for two years and switch it out for something else if you aren't feeling it (or pay the rest off if you're in love with the wheels).

It's a workable solution for those who don't have the money upfront to get a high-quality vehicle.

Understanding the Car Loan

Car loans, akin to leases, offer a pathway to vehicle ownership by providing financial assistance. Unlike leases, the car loan process involves a distinct two-step dance. As a prospective car owner, you engage with a separate lender, such as Simple Fast Loans, to secure the necessary funds for your purchase.

The heart of the car loan experience lies in structured repayments over a set number of months, gradually covering the loan amount. This borrower-lender partnership not only offers a systematic and flexible repayment plan but also empowers you to tailor the financing journey to your financial capacity and preferences. In essence, understanding the dynamics of a car loan equips you with the knowledge needed to navigate the realm of automotive financing and make informed decisions on your quest to own the vehicle of your dreams.

How To Calculate Loan or Lease Payments

If you're erring on the side of leasing or loaning the car/money instead of paying in full with cash, you can use free online calculators to accurately assess how much you'll pay each month.

Regardless of how much you earn, you should have a budget in place. So, you can skip the guesswork and know for sure whether you can afford vehicle financing by using a calculator ahead of time.

Why Do Dealers Want To Sell Cars for Cash?

Everything in life comes with positives and negatives; buying cars with cash is no exception. Despite most dealers wanting to skip cash transactions, some allow them for a few reasons, such as:

1. Potentially Expensive Transaction Charges

Wire and card transactions are the most common methods of buying a car. However, they can come with expensive transaction charges. Thus, some dealers prefer cash — no digital transfer, no charge.

2. Return Policy

Steadfast return policies should be on your mind when buying a car. However, dealerships can be sneaky about their terms and conditions when you pay with paper currency. It's a win for them, but not for you.

Thankfully, many dealers honor cash returns. That said, don't forget to check your contract. If you pay in cash, you might not have any legal legs to stand on if you want/need to give it back.

3. Lack of Wait Time

Once cash is exchanged, neither you nor the dealer need to wait. You can drive the car off the lot without worrying about mileage restrictions or other dealer-imposed rules. The dealer gets the price upfront. Everyone is a winner.

How To Stay Safe When Buying or Selling a Car for Cash

Regardless of how much you want to avoid scams, they are out there — on both sides of the coin. Some buyers take advantage of dealerships that accept cash, while some dealerships take advantage of buyers' trust.

So, whether you're buying or selling, stay safe with the below suggestions:

Tips for Buyers

Before paying cash, always check the vehicle's history and title. This is the only way to ensure it's legitimate. Asking for copies of the paperwork before handing over the money is the best practice when purchasing through a dealer. Due diligence is the name of the game.

Take care when heading to the dealership, too. Carrying lots of cash is unsafe, especially in areas with high crime rates.

Tips for Sellers

Dealerships should have their methods in place for deciding whether or not to accept cash. However, independent sellers should only accept cash at a bank, so the staff can count it and ensure each note is genuine.

Guidelines for Buying a Car with Cash

If you're set on buying a car with paper currency, follow this three-step guide to ensure it goes your way:

1. Identify a Reputable Dealer

Regardless of how you're paying, always find a reputable dealer. Without trust, you should relinquish your hard-earned cash.

Here are a few tips to ensure you never succumb to unscrupulous dealerships:

The salespeople should always listen to you. They shouldn't talk at you or constantly show you vehicles outside your budget.
The representatives shouldn't lie, deceive, or trick you. Bait and switch tactics (i.e., when dealers advertise one thing to get you through the door, before providing different details when you actually arrive) aren't the way forward.
They'll provide reliable information.
There are plenty of positive reviews about them online.

2. Effectively Negotiate the Price

You should never agree to hand over your cash (or mention it) until you've sorted out the final price. This is particularly true for dealerships. Holding back will likely give you a better deal, allowing you to use your skills to negotiate an even more attractive cost upon bringing the cash to the table.

To negotiate like a pro, follow these tips:

Compare other models to help you stay on budget.
Ask for prices upfront.
Avoid purchasing any of the extras, like extended warranties, VIN number theft protection, tire nitrogen costs, windshield protection, and anything else they may throw at you.

If you aren't comfortable negotiating, a no-haggle price may be the way forward. Just keep in mind that it will not be the best deal.

3. Retain Receipt of Payment

Keeping the receipt is a must-do. While this is true for every transaction, it's even more important for cash payments — unscrupulous dealers could otherwise claim you never paid.

Civil Penalties for Non-Compliance When Filing IRS 8300

Dealerships who receive cash payments over $10,000 must file Form 8300 with the IRS. It offers valuable information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the Internal Revenue Service in their endeavors to fight money laundering.

So, if you pay for a car with more than $10,000 of physical currency, your transaction must be reported to the IRS. Failure to file the Form 8300 within 15 days of the transaction can result in the following civil penalties:

A $250 fine per return, not to exceed $3 million per year.
The ceiling is $1 million for those with annual gross receipts not over $5 million.
The penalty decreases to $50 if failure to file under IRC Section 6721(a) is corrected before the 30th day after the actual filing date.
Intentional disregard of the requirement to give timely, correct, and complete notices is $500 per failure or 10% of the aggregate amounts of the items.