More than two-thirds of Canadians are mistrustful of car dealers, according to a report from online used-vehicle retailer Clutch.

The Used Car Buyers’ Confidence Report, conducted by Angus Reid on behalf of Clutch, found 68% of survey respondents said they don’t trust traditional car dealerships to have their best interests in mind, while just 23% described their used-car purchase process as smooth.

The other 77% said they had issues or setbacks, according to the report, including 81% for car buyers aged 18-34 and 83% for those 35-54.

The problems included price negotiations, cited by 55%, undisclosed mechanical or cosmetic issues (50%) and pressure from salespeople (50%). Those same issues were also the top three choices when Canadians were asked what frustrated them about their buying experience, with undisclosed mechanical or cosmetic issues (40%) at the top of the lost, followed by price negotiations (35%) and pressure from salespeople (31%).

“Those patterns underscore a clear disconnect,” Clutch said in a news release. “The more consumers feel they are being ‘sold to’ instead of informed, the more confidence erodes.”

The report said a third of survey respondents said they’re uncomfortable negotiating with salespeople, with 22% preferring to avoid it entirely and 11% of respondents calling it stressful or overwhelming. The report said women (39%) are more likely than men (28%) to feel uncomfortable with negotiation, while 37% of younger and middle-aged buyers citing it as an issue.

“Buying a car is one of the biggest financial purchases Canadians make,” Clutch CEO Dan Park said, “yet for too long, the process has felt unclear, high-pressure and stacked against the buyer.”

According to the report, Canadians used-car shoppers are seeking increased transparency, with 75% saying their confidence would be boosted by transparent vehicle history and condition reports — including 82% of 35-54-year-olds and 80% in the 18-34 range — and 72% said the same about an included independent inspection.

Clutch said 55% cited a longer return window or satisfaction guarantee would create confidence, and 33% said no-haggle pricing.

Asked how dealers could build trust, 56% said both a short in-person test drive and a multi-day return policy would help, with 78% noting they likely wouldn’t use a return policy but having the option would provide peace of mind. The report said 36% said they want 1-3 days of use before purchasing a used vehicle.