An Enterprise employee went viral for telling people to skip dealerships, but his coworkers showed up in the comments with a very different warning

A TikTok user who goes by @dmoe5508, and claims to work for Enterprise, went viral after sharing a car-buying tip. He suggested that people browse traditional dealership websites first to get a sense of the market, and then compare those options on Enterprise Car Sales. He said he wasn’t trying to promote anything, but was sharing insight from his experience working at the company.

According to @dmoe5508, Enterprise regularly cycles cars out of its rental fleet once they reach around 40,000 to 50,000 miles. Because these vehicles are used constantly by customers, the company has a strong reason to keep up with maintenance. Michael Crossen, a lead technician at CR’s Auto Test Center, notes that former rental cars can be priced very competitively, with many options available for under $20,000.

Major rental companies like Enterprise, Avis, and Hertz typically offer added protections such as a 12-month or 12,000-mile limited warranty, a year of roadside assistance, and return policies. According to Motor1.com, Enterprise offers a seven-day or 1,000-mile return window, while Hertz lets you rent a car for three days at a special rate before deciding to buy. The process is often simpler than a traditional dealership, with below-market pricing and no haggling required.

Former rental cars come with real risks that buyers should not overlook

Not everyone was convinced, and several commenters claiming to have worked at Enterprise pushed back strongly. One former employee bluntly said, “Lies.. I brought a car from enterprise it kept over heating within a few weeks of having it and they wouldn’t fix it.” Stories of dealerships using questionable tactics on buyers show why many people look for alternatives, but rental cars carry their own concerns too.

Other commenters backed this up, with one writing that “I wouldn’t buy a rental car😂😂😂 wtf.” One commenter also warned saying “no. rental cars are ROAD hard. and they are absolutely not always taken care of. buy at your own risk. i only buy certified used.”

On the other hand, many buyers shared very positive experiences. One woman said, “Bought my rogue from hertz in 2018 and it’s still going 💪” Another said they bought their “First car I financed was from enterprise car sales. It was great. 😊. 👏🏻”

Given the mixed feedback, experts Benjamin Preston and Michael Crossen stress the importance of doing your homework. They advise always requesting a free vehicle history report, asking for service records, and having any used car inspected by an independent mechanic.

Understanding how financing a vehicle together can go wrong is also something buyers should consider before signing any paperwork. And for anyone looking at a used EV or hybrid, Crossen recommends having a specialist check the battery health and confirming the battery warranty transfers to you.

He also suggests considering the rental company’s reputation, as brands like National, Enterprise, Alamo, and Hertz generally score better in customer satisfaction than companies like Dollar, Fox, and Thrifty. Ultimately, whether a former rental car is right for you depends on your needs, your budget, and how much research you are willing to do.