Agora Data recently surveyed 114 independent auto dealers whose titles included owners, general managers, sales managers and finance managers. The company sought clarity about the biggest obstacles to closing more deals that need the participation of lenders for financing.

The non-prime auto fintech platform discovered the challenges are not always external, saying, “Instead, they are operational friction points inside the financing process itself.”

Agora Data added, “Additionally, nearly two-thirds of respondents operate primarily in non-prime credit segments, underscoring the importance of financing efficiency in this market.”

When asked what single change would improve their operations most, Agora Data indicated independent dealers consistently pointed to the same challenges:

—Slow funding timelines

—Excessive back and forth with lenders

—Unclear or inconsistent stipulation requirements

—Lack of lender consistency

“These are not isolated frustrations,” Agora Data said. “They are systemic inefficiencies that slow down deal flow. Industry research supports this. Manual processes, repeated document verification, and fragmented communication channels are known to create bottlenecks that extend transaction times and reduce efficiency.”

By the way, Agora Data noted that independent dealers of all sizes participated in the survey, including:

—35% sell 26 to 50 vehicles monthly

—33% sell fewer than 26 vehicles

—32% sell more than 51 vehicles

According to the survey, those dealers also highlighted operational pain points such as:

—Customer callbacks

—Re-verifications

—Missing stipulations

—Delayed lender responses

“Each of these adds time and complexity, pulling sales staff away from selling and creating friction across the dealership,” Agora Data said.

Agora Data went on to say that dealers consistently tied faster, cleaner financing to:

—Higher close rates

—More time spent selling

—Less back-and-forth with lenders and customers

“At the same time, speed-to-cash affects daily operations. When funding is delayed or inconsistent, it impacts inventory decisions, cash flow, and overall momentum,” Agora Data said.

Bottom line: what do independent dealers want from lenders? Here’s what Agora Data found via its survey:

—Faster approvals

—Clear and consistent stipulation requirements

—Transparent explanations for declined deals

—More flexibility for non-prime customers

“Dealers are not evaluating lenders purely on rates. They are evaluating how consistently and efficiently deals get done,” Agora Data said.

Agora Data wrapped up the project by stating the findings from this study point to a “clear opportunity.” What constitutes that opportunity includes:

—Financing efficiency drives growth: Streamlined approvals and faster funding can increase sales without requiring more traffic

—Consistency matters as much as pricing: Predictable processes reduce friction across the dealership

—Speed-to-cash shapes inventory strategy: Faster funding improves buying power and inventory turns

—Simpler workflows scale better: Fewer callbacks and clearer requirements free teams to focus on selling

“Independent auto dealers are not asking for dramatic change. They are asking for financing that works the way their businesses operate,” Agora Data said. “Cleaner processes, faster outcomes, and fewer surprises all contribute to better performance. In today’s market, financing efficiency is not just a backend function. It is a frontline advantage.”