Car Dealer Simulator from Garage Monkeys released on 29 May 2025 and drops you into the used car trade with a character called Little Sam teaching the basics. The loop is buy low, scan, clean, photograph, list, haggle, repeat, with tow trucks for the cars that refuse to start. Cleaning alone can add up to 12 percent to a car's value, which tells you how much of the profit lives in presentation rather than mechanics.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key combinations |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Dealership Lot
Key resources: Listing slots, customer footfall, room for parallel stock Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Tow Truck upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Repair Zone
Key resources: Drivable non runners, diagnostic reports Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Tow Truck upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Wash Station
Key resources: Up to 12 percent added value, better listing photographs Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Tow Truck upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Fuel Shop
Key resources: Extra bargain attempts, fuel for your own vehicles Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Vehicle Scanner max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Garage Computer
Key resources: Vehicle recall, listing management, business overview Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Vehicle Scanner max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Dealership Lot to Repair Zone)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Tow Truck once accessible
Mid Game (Wash Station)
- Push Tow Truck to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Vehicle Scanner
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Fuel Shop to Garage Computer)
- Max out Vehicle Scanner. This is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment: Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials: Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear: Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Wash Station farming: This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early: Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Scan before you speak. The scan reports market value from the car's condition, and without it your opening offer is a guess dressed up as a strategy.
- Farm Wash Station during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build. Some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Car Dealer Simulator Guides
- Car Dealer Simulator Car Dealer Simulator Overview
- Car Dealer Simulator Best Builds
- Car Dealer Simulator Tier List
- Car Dealer Simulator Walkthrough
- Car Dealer Simulator Beginner's Guide
- Car Dealer Simulator Tips & Tricks
- Car Dealer Simulator Weapons Guide
- Car Dealer Simulator Combat Guide
- Car Dealer Simulator Boss Guide
- Car Dealer Simulator Maps & Locations
- Car Dealer Simulator Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Car Dealer Simulator, check out these related guides:
- Stardew Valley Crafting Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
- Satisfactory Crafting Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
- The Sims 4 Crafting Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
