Maybe silly question but I've noticed that whenever I test drive or buy a used car from a dealership, it always seems like the car smells brand new inside. I know it's the dealerships job to detail the inside so that it is pretty much spotless and they probably put in new floor mats but do they also spray it with something to make it smell new? If they do, I think it's a pretty effective technique. I always find myself thinking, "The previous owner must have really taken care of this car because it still smells new."

I went to two different dealerships while shopping for my just acquired 2010 RDX and had the same experience with the new car smell. Can someone enlighten me on if this was a deliberate dealer technique or if I was just lucky.

 

I do't work for a dealership, but can tell you it's not possible to duplicate "new car smell" exactly. It can be approximated, though. This stuff works pretty well and I'm sure some dealers use it or similar products.

Chemical Guys - New Car Smell Premium Air Freshener & Odor Eliminator (16 oz)

 

Goddamn, dat RDX :rockycawk:

 

I've had two or three cars that continued to have a "new car" smell for about three to four years.

OTOH, the new car smell is probably all outgassing VOC that are bad for people.

Five years: probably dealer-applied spray. Similar sprays have been available for decades.

 

I do work at an Audi dealership. I'm not sure if you're smelling a "new car" smell that could be dependent on how well the car was taken care of but we usually use to ozone machine in cars to remove any odors the car has before putting them up for sale

 

Interesting. I'm they probably are using some type of machine to remove any other odors. If I remember correctly, the two cars I have purchased brand new maintained their new car smell for about 3 years. I wouldn't rule out that they may use some type of spray as well although all the things I've ever come across that advertise as new car smell don't really smell like a new car at all.

 

This.

I work at a Lexus dealership and we don't use any chemicals to add a scent to a vehicle. We just use a deodorizer to remove any stench from the previous owners and create a neutral/natural scent.

 

We use a product from Rid Odor that contains a mixture of new car & leather to produce the smell in our cars.

 

I work at a dealership and almost all of the used cars are thrashed and or smoked in , So we usually spray the "New Car Smell" to make it smell good.

 

I hate the new car smell.... I want my car to smell like me...

 

When I worked at a used car place, they would spray the inside with a bottle of a scented orange smelling spray. They also had an industrial strength stain remover that would take any shit from the inside or engine bay off and leave it looking like new.

 

Does that spray really smell like a new car or does it just make it smell nicer?

 

it makes it smell nice , personally I worked at car rental shops , and the dealerships and nothing can replicate the new car smell.

 

Most cars, if kept clean, will retain somewhat of a new car smell for a number of years. I remember my 05 Acura still smelled like leather when I traded it in (2013). Fusion still smells fresh too as I rarely have passengers and don't eat in the car.

 

Honestly, I’ve always wondered the same thing! Every used car I’ve test-driven at a dealership somehow smells brand new, even when it’s 5–6 years old. I guess between the ozone treatment, deep cleaning, and maybe a touch of “new car” spray, it tricks your brain into thinking the car’s in better shape. It’s a pretty smart sales tactic — that smell alone can make you feel like you’re buying something fresh off the lot. 😄

 

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