Dealers will universally expect to be knocked down £1500 on their listed price. Its why I always get that much PX on my knackered cars. This was also confirmed by a colleague that used to work in the business and pretty much everyone I’ve talked to that have bought cars 2nd hand from dealers.
I worked around the country with 10+ Honda main dealers.
Any sales person who came back to their boss with £1500 off the screen price on a used car more than a couple of times would be fired for being an idiot.
If you came in near the end of the dealerships monthly target and they desperately needed so sell a car to hit some internal or manufacturer target, you might get that. If you did you should be high diving your self on being an amazing negotiator!
Not to pee on your chips Sharkey but whilst the Yeti looks like a decent car reasonably priced from a dealer, check that the Haldex has been serviced at least once if not twice.
Thanks but that's something I'm already aware of thanks to various forums and owners groups. I'll be asking for a good look at the history to see it it's been done but it looks like quite an easy DIY job if not. If I get a chance on the test drive I'll get it on some grass or gravel and see how many wheels I can get spinning!
BigJohn
Full Member
What did you get?
Didn't go well actually. The one we went to see was rather neglected.
Found a better example a hour further north!
Looking to buy a used car for my daughter over the next few days from Inchcape. Are we all still sucking it up and paying ticket price at dealers?
The way to get a grand off is offer them a grand less, if they can sell it to someone else for more they won't phone back, usually they do and offer you something off and most get very excited and spill da cash.
Best time is just before the end of the month, dealerships have to hit monthly targets, if they are low they will shift cars, but now is not going to work for that because sales are high, the real question is who on earth buys a car when prices are at an all time high?..then asks about discounting.
Yes I get that totally espresso…excruciating time to be buying. But essential to get a ‘starter car’ for daughter heading back to Uni. Just kind of resigned that we’ll have to pay the asking price.
FWIW I don't think i've ever bought a car without paying less than advertised, dealer or otherwise.
But my top tip is to get an independent inspection. It costs a tiny proportion of the total outlay.
I've done it three times after buying a lemon.
Once we got our deposit back and ran a mile. It was a Forester Diesel and I asked for a compression test due to known issues with some of these engines. It was dodgy, saved us $$$.
Second and third times worked a treat.
Mitsubishi L200 (i think that's what they're called in the UK) that's been outstanding - but got a new battery fitted thanks to the tester spotting it was on its way out. More than paid for the inspection.
Mini Cooper was the best though. I was buying from 1000km away so couldn't inspect myself. The tester was super-impressed with the condition of the car. He spotted it needed two new expensive 17" tyres because the load rating was incorrect. It could have failed the test i needed to register it in the new state. Dealer paid for the tyres.
But my top tip is to get an independent inspection. It costs a tiny proportion of the total outlay.
This is good, and the examples show why, they always find something and they will generally always fix it to make the sale.
The last couple of cars I bought(one for someone else) I was surprised how little negotiation there is now, I'm an older tyre kicker type and go looking for a deal, everything I moaned about they just fixed, and cash is no longer king, they make their money in 'financial packages', which is selling your debt, paying cash(by card ironically) is stealing a financial package opportunity these days.
Actually on the cash thing there may be a benefit in that you do have the power to do what car salesmen try to do to customers, instant card power, they are used to credit checks that come back lower than the price on the windscreen so always ask, don't tell them how you want to pay, then when it comes down to the line just say if you make it £x I'll pay by card right now, they invariably have to speak to a sales manager to ok that so be very straight and firm, tell them you have a couple of others lined up and will be buying today...in reality I would and I'm not bluffing them, if paying this way it's worth a shot.
But my top tip is to get an independent inspection. It costs a tiny proportion of the total outlay
I totally agree Reeksy. I had a close call last year when looking at a couple of XJRs. I paid for an RAC inspection (about £350 iirc) on the black one … received a call from the guy before he submitted his full report. “Very nice car. You are aware of the three replacement panels? And a poorly sealed door skin?” He’d detected the issues when measuring paint depth. I honestly would have taken it for a twenty minute blast and been desperate to hand over my cash and get home. So worth the reassurance of a professional check.
Obviously had to repeat the exercise with car #2 (in Racing Green). Positive outcome and the verbal report from the engineer was “Nicest car I’ve tested this year, possibly ever”
Currently going through the car buying process now but I am using a car finder service who know the dealer network and will check and deliver the car to me.
I know the exact car I want but have zero expertise in car buying.
I used them 9 years ago and the car I got lasted me until 3 weeks ago.
Good luck Caher
Thanks. It's a little like going to the dentist and trusting they'll give you the treatment you really need.
I know people are ordering cars online these days but I wouldn’t dare.
Why not? You get the option of driving the car for a week or so, then returning it if it’s not what you want, and I know for a fact that vehicles are given a very thorough check over before they enter the system, the sellers cherry-pick the very best cars, the rest go to auction. The company I work for is now part of Cazoo, we repair and refurbish cars, and they’re spending a huge amount of money upgrading facilities at our site, one of four around the country, including machines for refurbishment of alloys, redoing the diamond-cut finish, setting up an MOT facility, taking on mechanics for servicing, etc; and I see the cars that get dispatched, it’s my job to check them over.
Why not? You get the option of driving the car for a week or so, then returning it if it’s not what you want
Once.
So you better know what your shopping for.
