Roberts Auto Sales in Modesto Is Closing After 45 Years
Roberts Auto Sales, a used car dealership in Modesto, California, that spent 45 years selling Honda and Ford vehicles, is shutting down. The closure, first reported by the Modesto Bee and picked up by The U.S. Sun, ends one of the longest-running independent car lots in the region.
The dealership had not announced a specific final closing date as of early April 2026, and the owner has not made a public statement explaining the reasons behind the decision. What is clear is that a business many Modesto residents considered a neighborhood staple will not be around much longer.
What Made Roberts Different
Roberts Auto Sales built its reputation on a haggle-free model. The dealership’s website stated there would be “no salesmen ever following you around,” a policy the Modesto Bee highlighted in its reporting on the closure. Prices were posted on the vehicles. Customers browsed at their own pace. If they wanted to talk numbers, they initiated the conversation.
That approach set Roberts apart from the high-pressure tactics that define much of the used car industry. The lot specialized in popular, practical models: Honda Accords, Civics, and CR-Vs alongside Ford F-150s, Explorers, and Fusions. For buyers who wanted a reliable commuter car or a family truck without the stress of negotiation, the dealership was a go-to…