[sem000]

I think it should be very apparent to just about anyone that there aren’t enough programmers in the world to develop enough capable algorithms to buy and sell used cars or homes efficiently or profitably.

There are way too many nuances involved in such transactions that used car dealerships and the traditional real estate transaction model is never going away.

If there were any indication of it going the other way, used car dealerships would have gone out of business long ago. After all, you have been able to buy a used car privately through tons of websites or listing services without a middle man taking a profit for years. But the risk of doing so is too great.

[SturgeonsLaw]

I've only ever bought used cars through private sales, never had an issue. I always get my mechanic to check them out before going ahead with a purchase though, that has absolutely saved me thousands before.