Enterprise sells used cars directly to the public, not just through rental
Enterprise Car Sales is a separate division from Enterprise Rent-A-Car. It buys vehicles from rental fleets and sells them to individual buyers. These cars typically have 30,000 to 50,000 miles on them, though mileage varies. You can walk into a physical Enterprise Car Sales lot, browse online, or call ahead to ask about specific models.
The main difference between buying from Enterprise and buying from a traditional used car dealer is that Enterprise owns the inventory outright — they are not a middleman. This means the pricing structure is more straightforward: you see a price, you negotiate if the lot allows it, and you move toward purchase. There is no auction house or wholesaler markup in between.
Enterprise Car Sales locations exist in most states but not everywhere. You can find the nearest one on their website by entering your zip code. Not every Enterprise Rent-A-Car location has a Car Sales division attached, so do not assume your local rental branch sells vehicles.
Key Takeaways
- Enterprise Car Sales buys vehicles from rental fleets and resells them to the public, typically with 30,000 to 50,000 miles.
- You can view inventory online, visit a lot in person, or call ahead to ask about specific makes and models before you go.
- All Enterprise Car Sales vehicles come with a warranty that varies by age and mileage — read the specific terms for the car you are considering.
- Financing through Enterprise is one option, but you can also bring your own lender or pay cash.
- The purchase process includes a title transfer and registration, which Enterprise handles but you must complete with your state's DMV.
What warranty comes with an Enterprise Car Sales purchase
Enterprise Car Sales vehicles come with a powertrain warranty as standard. The length depends on the age and mileage of the car at the time of sale. A newer vehicle with lower mileage typically carries a longer warranty than an older one with higher mileage. You should ask the salesperson for the exact terms before you commit — the warranty document will spell out what parts are covered (usually engine, transmission, and drivetrain) and what is not (typically wear items like brakes and wiper blades).
Some Enterprise Car Sales locations offer extended warranty options you can purchase at the time of sale. These are optional and add to the total cost. Read the coverage details carefully, because extended warranties often have exclusions and deductibles that matter when you actually need to use them.
The warranty is only as good as the dealership's willingness to honor it. Enterprise Car Sales has a reputation for honoring warranties, but disputes do happen. Keep all paperwork related to warranty claims and the original purchase agreement.
How to finance a car through Enterprise or bring your own lender
Enterprise Car Sales offers in-house financing through a partner lender. You can fill out a credit process on their website or in person at the lot. The interest rate you receive depends on your credit score, income, and the amount you are borrowing. Enterprise will tell you the rate before you sign anything.
You do not have to finance through Enterprise. You can bring a pre-approval letter from your own bank or credit union. Some buyers do this because their own lender offers a lower rate or because they want to keep the transaction separate from the dealership's financing. If you use outside financing, tell the salesperson before you start negotiating the price — it changes the paperwork flow slightly.
You can also pay cash. Enterprise accepts payment by check, bank transfer, or credit card (though a credit card may carry a processing fee). If you pay cash, you still need to handle the title transfer and registration with your state's DMV.
What documents you need before you buy
Bring a valid driver's license and proof of insurance. You do not need insurance yet if you do not own a car, but you will need to have it in place before you drive the car off the lot. Many buyers call their insurance company while they are at the dealership to add the new vehicle to their policy.
If you are financing, Enterprise will ask for proof of income (usually a recent pay stub) and possibly bank statements. If you are paying cash, you do not need income verification. Bring a checkbook or arrange a bank transfer in advance if you plan to pay that way.
You will need to provide your Social Security number for the credit process and title transfer. Enterprise will also ask for your address and phone number. Have your current vehicle's title if you are trading one in, though Enterprise Car Sales does not require a trade-in.
How the purchase and title transfer process works
Once you have chosen a car and agreed on a price, the salesperson will prepare a purchase agreement. This document lists the vehicle details, the price, any add-ons (like extended warranty), and the financing terms if applicable. Read it carefully before signing. The purchase agreement is your proof of ownership until the title is transferred.
Enterprise handles the paperwork to transfer the title from their name to yours, but the actual transfer happens through your state's DMV. Enterprise will give you the documents you need to submit. Some states allow Enterprise to submit these on your behalf; others require you to go to the DMV yourself. Ask the salesperson which applies in your state.
Registration is separate from the title transfer. You will need to register the vehicle with your state, which usually happens at the same time as the title transfer. There is a fee for registration that varies by state and vehicle type. The salesperson can tell you the approximate cost for your state.
The entire process from agreement to driving off the lot usually takes a few hours. Title transfer and registration can take several weeks depending on your state's DMV processing time. You will receive temporary tags or a temporary registration document to drive legally while you wait for the permanent registration.
Inspecting the car before you buy
Enterprise Car Sales vehicles are inspected and reconditioned before they are offered for sale, but that does not mean you should skip your own inspection. Ask the salesperson if you can take the car to an independent mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. Some dealerships allow this; others do not. If they refuse, that is a red flag worth considering.
At minimum, sit in the car, start the engine, and listen for unusual sounds. Check that all the lights work, the air conditioning and heat function, and the wipers operate. Look at the tires for wear and the paint for damage or signs of repainting. Open and close all doors and windows. These are things you can do on the lot without special tools.
Ask the salesperson about the vehicle's history. Enterprise can tell you how long it was in their rental fleet and whether it has any accident history. They should have maintenance records from the time it was a rental vehicle. Request to see these records — they show whether the car was serviced regularly.
Negotiating price and understanding add-ons
Enterprise Car Sales prices are typically non-negotiable or only slightly negotiable, depending on the location and the specific car. The price you see online or on the lot is usually the price you pay. This is different from a traditional used car dealer where negotiation is expected. Ask the salesperson whether the price is firm or whether there is room to discuss it.
Watch for add-ons that increase the total cost. Extended warranty, paint protection, fabric protection, and gap insurance are common extras. These are optional. Understand what each one covers and whether it is worth the cost to you before you agree to it. Gap insurance, for example, covers the difference between what you owe on a loan and what the car is worth if it is totaled — this can be valuable if you are financing, but it is not required.
The salesperson may also mention dealer fees or documentation fees. These are legitimate costs of processing the paperwork, but ask for an itemized breakdown so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I return a car I bought from Enterprise Car Sales?
Enterprise Car Sales has a return policy that varies by location, typically allowing returns within a certain number of days if the car has low additional mileage. Ask about the specific return window and conditions at your local lot before you buy. The policy is usually printed on the purchase agreement.
Do Enterprise Car Sales vehicles have clean titles?
Yes, Enterprise Car Sales vehicles have clean titles, meaning they have not been declared a total loss by an insurance company. If a vehicle had been in a major accident and declared a total loss, it would have a salvage or rebuilt title, and Enterprise would disclose that. Ask the salesperson to confirm the title status if you are concerned.
What if something breaks right after I buy the car?
That is what the warranty covers. Contact the Enterprise Car Sales location where you bought the car and describe the problem. If it falls under the warranty coverage, they will repair it at no cost. Keep your purchase agreement and warranty documents handy when you call.
Can I buy a specific model if it is not on the lot?
Some Enterprise Car Sales locations can order a vehicle from another lot or from their incoming inventory. Call ahead and ask whether they can source the make, model, and year you want. There may be a wait time, and you may need to put down a deposit to hold it.
What happens if I need to sell the car later?
You own the car outright once the title is in your name, so you can sell it to anyone — a private buyer, a dealer, or back to Enterprise Car Sales if they offer a trade-in value. There are no restrictions on resale.