QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK US
Questions people ask us
Straight answers from the dealership — and where customers have already answered, we link you to their stories.
Questions
The Dealership
Where are you located?
We're at 1705 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60435.
What are your hours?
Sales hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–9:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM–7:00 PM, Sunday closed. Call us at (815) 927-7800.
Do you have Spanish-speaking staff?
Yes — we have Spanish-speaking team members. Just ask.
Who is World Automotive?
Part of the World Auto Group. A Chicago-based dealership group.
Do you have WiFI
Yes, we do. And private areas to work in if you need them.
Questions
Financing & Credit
Can I buy a car with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number?
Yes. We work with buyers who file taxes with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number. We are not a buy-here-pay-here lot — your application goes to our network of banks and credit unions, and several of those lenders have ITIN programs. Bring your ITIN letter, proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), proof of residence, and we will submit you to the lenders most likely to approve you.
Can you get me financed in an open Bankruptcy?
Yes. We have lenders who are very willing to work with customers in an open BK.
Can you help me get financed with bad credit or no credit?
Often, yes. — We submit your application to a network of banks and credit unions, including lenders that specialize in damaged or thin credit. That means the rate and terms come from a real lender, not from us. Bring proof of income, proof of residence, and a sense of the monthly payment you are comfortable with, and we will tell you honestly what the approvals look like.
Do you work with first-time buyers?
Yes. First-time buyers are a regular part of what we do. We are not a buy-here-pay-here lot — we work with a network of banks and credit unions, and several of them run first-time-buyer programs built for people with no credit history yet. Steady income, proof of residence, are usually what those lenders want to see. A financed car reported to the credit bureaus is also one of the fastest ways to start building credit.
Can I get financed after a repossession or bankruptcy?
In many cases, yes. A repossession or a discharged bankruptcy does not automatically disqualify you. We work with a network of banks and credit unions, and many of them approve buyers after a repo or bankruptcy. Bring your discharge paperwork if you have it, plus proof of income and residence, and we will submit you to the lenders that handle these situations.
Do I need a cosigner?
Most of our buyers finance on their own, and a cosigner is simply a tool if you want one. A cosigner adds their income and credit to your application, which can strengthen an approval or improve your rate. Start by letting us submit your application by itself — many buyers who assumed they'd need help turn out not to.
Can I get pre-approved before I come in?
Yes — you can get pre-approved before you visit, so you walk in knowing your terms and can focus on picking the car. Call us and we'll start your application over the phone.
How much do I need for a down payment?
It depends on the vehicle, your credit, and the lender, and we work with a range of down payments. More down lowers your payment and total interest; less down keeps cash in your pocket. Tell us the monthly payment you're aiming for, and we'll show you the down-payment options that get you there. But we work with guests all the time with no money down as well.
Do you offer buy-here-pay-here or in-house financing?
No — we're not a buy-here-pay-here lot. We finance through the same banks and credit unions a new-car dealership uses, which means real rates and real terms, not in-house financing. We shop your application across our lender network to find the best approval we can.
Questions
Buying
Are your prices the real price, or does stuff get added?
Yes — the price on the vehicle is the real price. The only things added are the ones Illinois requires on any car sale: sales tax, title, registration, and the state-capped documentary fee. No surprise markups.
What fees are added in Illinois?
Illinois adds four things to a vehicle's price: sales tax, title, registration (plates), and a documentary service fee. Sales tax is set by the state and your local area, title and registration are fixed state charges, and the documentary fee is capped by Illinois law and adjusted every January. We show you every line before you sign.
Can I see a car's history report before I buy?
Yes — free, before you commit. Ask for the vehicle history report on any car on our lot and we'll show it to you. If a report shows an accident, we'll walk through it with you rather than hope you don't notice.
Can I take a used car to my own mechanic first?
Yes — we encourage it. You're welcome to take a vehicle to your own mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection before you buy. A dealer who's confident in a car has no reason to say no.
How long does buying take?
About an hour or more, depending on your needs — financing, a trade appraisal, and the paperwork all factor in. We won't rush you, but we won't keep you.
Can I do the paperwork online or by phone?
Much of it, yes — you can start your application, value your trade, and handle a lot of the paperwork by phone or online before you arrive, so your time at the lot is short.
Can someone else pick up the car for me?
The buyer has to sign the contracts personally, so another person can't sign for you without valid power of attorney. Once the paperwork is done, an authorized person can take delivery. Call us before you send someone and we'll tell you exactly what they need to bring.
What do I need to bring to buy a car?
Bring your driver's license and proof of insurance. If you're financing, also bring proof of income and proof of residence, and if you have an ITIN rather than a Social Security number, bring that documentation — it speeds everything up.
Questions
Trade-Ins
Will you buy my car even if I don't buy one from you?
Yes — we buy cars outright, even if you're not buying one from us. Bring it in and we'll appraise it and make you an offer.
Can I trade in a car that isn't paid off?
Yes — that's common. We'll handle the payoff on your existing loan as part of the deal. If you owe more than the car is worth, we'll show you how that rolls into your new financing before you decide.
Can I trade a car that doesn't run?
Yes, and it still has value. A non-running car is appraised on its wholesale or auction value rather than retail, so the number is lower but rarely zero. Tell us up front that it doesn't run so we can arrange to look at it.
How do you decide what my trade is worth?
Current market data plus an in-person inspection — how the car actually looks and drives, its mileage, service history, and what similar vehicles are bringing right now. You get a written offer that stands on its own, whether or not you buy from us.
Questions
Our Vehicles
Where do your used cars come from?
Most come from customer trade-ins and off-lease vehicles, with the rest sourced from wholesale auctions. Trade-ins are our favorite source because we often know the car's history. Anything that doesn't pass our inspection goes to auction instead of onto our lot.
Are your cars inspected before you sell them?
Yes. Every vehicle goes through a mechanical and safety inspection before it's offered for sale — brakes, tires, fluids, steering and suspension, lights, and diagnostics. Anything that fails is repaired or the car is wholesaled rather than sold to you. Ask to see the inspection on the specific car you're considering.
Do your cars come with any warranty, or are they sold as-is?
It depends on the vehicle, and we'll tell you which is which before you buy, not after. Some of our used vehicles still carry the remainder of their original manufacturer warranty, and when that's the case, we show you exactly what's left and what it covers. Vehicles without remaining coverage are sold as-is, and they're marked that way on the required Buyers Guide you'll see on the window. Here's our standing policy: on every vehicle that qualifies for a vehicle service agreement, we make one available. If coverage can be applied to the car you're buying, you'll have the option, with the terms, the coverage levels, and the cost laid out in plain numbers so you can decide whether it makes sense for you. We don't hide the option to speed up a deal, and we don't pressure you into it either. It's your call, made with the facts in front of you. So the honest answer is: no used car should be a mystery. Before you sign anything, you'll know whether your vehicle has remaining factory coverage, whether it's as-is, and what protection is available to add. Ask us about any specific vehicle and we'll walk you through its coverage picture in a few minutes.
Do you sell certified pre-owned vehicles?
Yes. World Hyundai Matteson sells Hyundai Certified Pre-Owned vehicles, and certification here means something specific, not a sticker we print ourselves, but a factory program with defined standards. To become a Hyundai CPO vehicle, a used Hyundai must meet Hyundai's age and mileage requirements, have a clean, non-branded title verified by a vehicle history report, and pass a comprehensive multi-point inspection performed by a certified dealer technician covering the engine, suspension, electronics, wheels, tires, and infotainment. Anything that doesn't meet the standard gets reconditioned or replaced with Hyundai OEM parts before the vehicle can be certified. Every CPO vehicle comes with a complimentary CARFAX vehicle history report, so you see what we see. The reason people choose CPO is the coverage. A certified Hyundai carries the remainder of the 5-year/60,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty plus a 10-year/100,000-mile CPO Powertrain Limited Warranty, both measured from the vehicle's original in-service date and backed by Hyundai, not a third party. The program also includes complimentary 24/7 roadside assistance, and reimbursement benefits for rental cars during covered repairs and for travel interruptions when a covered breakdown happens far from home.
Do you have vehicles under $15,000?
Yes. We have it in stock. Inventory turns over daily, so the fastest way to see today's cars under $15,000 is to browse our current inventory online, or call us at (815) 927-7800 and we'll tell you exactly what's on the lot in that range right now.
Do you have SUVs, trucks or AWD vehicles?
Yes. We have it in stock. SUVs, trucks and all-wheel-drive vehicles are all part of what we carry, and AWD matters in an Illinois winter. Because inventory turns over quickly, browse our current inventory online, or call us at (815) 927-7800 and we'll check exactly what's here today.
Questions
Service & Warranty
Do you do service and repairs here?
No — World Automotive is a sales-only used car lot at 1705 W Jefferson St. Service and repairs are handled by our sister store, World Kia Joliet, at 2525 W Jefferson St in Joliet. You can read their service reviews at worldkiareviews.com, or call us at (815) 927-7800 and we will point you to the right place.
What if something goes wrong right after I buy?
We are a well-established dealership that stands behind our vehicles, so if something goes wrong after you buy your car, we will do what we need to do to make it right.
Do you offer extended warranties or service contracts?
Yes. On every vehicle that qualifies for a vehicle service agreement, we make one available, that's our standing policy. If coverage can be applied to the car you're choosing, you'll have the option in front of you before you sign, with the coverage levels, the term, and the cost in plain numbers.
Questions
Español
Do you have staff who speak Spanish?
Sí. Tenemos miembros del equipo que hablan español. Pregunte por ellos cuando llame o nos visite.
Can I buy a car with an ITIN instead of a Social Security number?
Sí. Trabajamos con compradores que usan ITIN. No somos un lote de "buy-here-pay-here": enviamos su solicitud a nuestra red de bancos y cooperativas de crédito, y varios de esos prestamistas tienen programas para ITIN. Traiga su carta de ITIN, comprobante de ingresos y de domicilio, y una identificación válida, y le ayudamos a armar su solicitud.
Do you work with bad credit or no credit history?
Sí. Trabajamos con una red de bancos y cooperativas de crédito, y ayudamos a compradores con crédito difícil, poco crédito o sin historial. Traiga comprobante de ingresos y de domicilio, y con gusto le ayudamos a armar su solicitud. Llámenos al (815) 927-7800.
Questions
This Site
Why don't you use star ratings?
Because a star rating flattens a real experience into a number that tells you little. A four-star and a two-star review can describe the same visit. We publish the stories themselves and keep only one number: the share of customers who'd send a friend here. That's the question people actually ask each other.
Are these reviews from real people?
Yes. Every story on this site was submitted by an actual World Automotive customer, and we verify that the person was a customer before it publishes. We don't write reviews, we don't buy them, and we don't use AI to generate or rewrite a single word a customer said.
Can a bad review get deleted?
Not by us. We're sentiment-blind: we have never declined a story for being negative, and negativity is not a valid reason to hold or reject one. We screen only for whether a submission is genuine, and every hold is logged with a reason. The one person who can remove a story is its author.