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.
Your choice of equipment defines your damage output and playstyle. This guide ranks every major option, explains what makes each one strong, and tells you which builds they pair best with.
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Tier | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Scanner | S | Every purchase without exception, especially at private seller pickups. | Reads a car's current market value from its condition. |
| Tow Truck | A | Buying non drivable cars far below their market value. | Two types are available for moving vehicles that will not start. |
| Wash Station | A | Every car you intend to list, particularly filthy but mechanically sound stock. | Upgrading it to level 2 unlocks polish and wax. |
| Odometer Tool | B | High mileage cars where the reading is the main drag on the asking price. | Adjusts the mileage reading. |
| Camera | B | Finished cars, after washing and before you set the price. | Bound to the T key. |
S-Tier: Vehicle Scanner
Reads a car's current market value from its condition. It is the only honest number in a negotiation and it should be the first thing you use on every vehicle you consider.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Best For | Every purchase without exception, especially at private seller pickups. |
| Key Mechanic | Scanning and market valuation |
| Recommended Build | Non runner flipper |
How to get it: Available from mid-game onward. See our walkthrough for the exact progression point.
Best builds using Vehicle Scanner: Pairs naturally with Non runner flipper thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Tow Truck
Two types are available for moving vehicles that will not start. Non runners are where the cheapest stock lives, so a tow truck is the gate on the highest margin build in the game.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Buying non drivable cars far below their market value. |
| Key Mechanic | Buying and selling negotiation |
| Recommended Build | Detail and photograph specialist |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Tow Truck: Pairs naturally with Detail and photograph specialist thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
A-Tier: Wash Station
Upgrading it to level 2 unlocks polish and wax. Cleaning is worth up to 12 percent of a car's value, which makes this the strongest value upgrade in the early game.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Best For | Every car you intend to list, particularly filthy but mechanically sound stock. |
| Key Mechanic | Diagnostics and part replacement |
| Recommended Build | Red zone pricing dealer |
How to get it: Accessible in the early-to-mid game. Check our maps guide for the location.
Best builds using Wash Station: Pairs naturally with Red zone pricing dealer thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Odometer Tool
Adjusts the mileage reading. Start with the highest digit and move slowly, and stop the moment the tool makes a cracking sound rather than pushing into the red zone.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | High mileage cars where the reading is the main drag on the asking price. |
| Key Mechanic | Washing, polish and detailing |
| Recommended Build | Consumable bargain hunter |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Odometer Tool: Pairs naturally with Consumable bargain hunter thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
B-Tier: Camera
Bound to the T key. Shots go straight into the listing and including every angle makes a listing more attractive to buyers, at zero cost.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Best For | Finished cars, after washing and before you set the price. |
| Key Mechanic | Listings, photos and pricing zones |
| Recommended Build | Staffed volume dealership |
How to get it: Found in later areas. Our walkthrough covers when you can access this.
Best builds using Camera: Pairs naturally with Staffed volume dealership thanks to how their stat scaling lines up.
Equipment Progression Path
The order you should acquire equipment as you progress:
- Starting gear → Enough to clear Dealership Lot
- Tow Truck → Your first real upgrade, available early
- Wash Station → Mid-game upgrade with good scaling
- Vehicle Scanner → Best-in-slot, aim for this by late game
- Upgrade to max → The power spike from max upgrades is enormous
Equipment Tips
- Always upgrade your primary equipment before diversifying. One strong option beats three mediocre ones.
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities for maximum scaling.
- 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.
- Check our tier list for how equipment rankings affect overall build effectiveness.
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 Combat Guide
- Car Dealer Simulator Boss Guide
- Car Dealer Simulator Maps & Locations
- Car Dealer Simulator Crafting Guide
- Car Dealer Simulator Classes & Characters
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- The Sims 4 Weapons Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
