[Closed] Forecourt / Dealer car discounts?

At that level that’s about a 10% discount off their asking price – will I be walking out with my tail between my legs?

No, you'll be driving out in a car or walking out with £32K. It's difficult to predict which.

There is no answer to this, many dealers now price at what they want for the car without wriggle room as the internet means everyone sees prices for all over the Uk and has a much better feel for what is and isn't a good deal. Not the case for every dealer but it is for many. You need to do your research and get a feel for what similar vehicle are up for and how it compares with others. If others are 36 you've no hope of 32 but if others are 30 they might jump at 32. Do your research.

Also it may depend on whether you take finance. If you do, they'll get a kick back from the finance co and so may reduce the screen price. Even if you want to pay cash, take the finance, get the discount and then pay off the finance in the cooling off period.

Have researched Steve H, four dealers have same car, similar age, similar mileage (but there’s a range) and priced £32500 to £34995
The pair that I really like are at £34995, one is younger, the other is 12mths older but has fewer miles.
My bargaining chip is that I’m prepared to walk out and pick one of the other three.

My last 2 experiences, one car supermarket and one main dealer, were that the ticket price was set. Pushed hard for a bit more warranty but only got that on one. Both cash not finance though.

And I negotiate multi million pound contracts so would like to think I can drive a deal 😆

Thats helpful thanks 40mpg

10% on a used car is pretty unlikely at the best of times as other have mentioned the internet has meant dealerships tend to have to put cars up at the correct price to begin with, you maybe lucky enough to get £1000 off if taking the finance. If not just tell them you are until the very last minute (I’ve done this one collection day twice) normally doesn’t go down to well and they’ll try persuade you otherwise.

At the moment car dealers have been struggling to get the stock to meet demand and I can’t see discounts being top of their priority list currently.

My bargaining chip is that I’m prepared to walk out and pick one of the other three

But if they have priced it fairly for the age, milage and condition, they will be happy to let you walk - I honestly don't think you have a hope negotiating that sort of discount on a second-hand car. Have you looked at the new price and seen what sort of price you could get via Carwow or Broadspeed?

That’s fine Johndoh.
That was the point of my question, will help me try to avoid appearing like a dick (and also risk losing out on the preferred car).
Looks like I need to be prepared to pay more or less the full ticket price.

Thanks

It does depend on the dealer though; I’ve been car shopping recently and there are still quite a few dealers advertising cars at what appears to be well over the odds. It’s got to be worth asking, what’s the worst they can say?

You can always turn the question around on them. Say you'd like to buy their car but you've seen a similar car at a lower price, show them the ad. Ask them if they can do anything on the price and if the answer is no, ask them why you should buy it off them.

But ultimately be prepared to walk.

I think cars have a bit of Covid tax on them ATM, happy to be told I'm wrong, but I'd assume that's for a lower price runabout for people looking to move away from public transport. A 30-35k car is unlikely to be in as much demand as we're looking at a recession and mass unemployment, fewer people will be comfortable with that sort of outlay.

At the moment car dealers have been struggling to get the stock to meet demand and I can’t see discounts being top of their priority list currently

Very much this.

For a variety of reasons related to the cash deal from work to buy a car and wanting a variety of specific options, I tend to buy new. Not the cheapest but not as bad as it used to be I suspect.
Last car I bought was, between dealer discounts and manufacturer discounts, 15% below list on 3.9% APR finance. So the depreciation against list price isn’t actually very relevant.
Worth comparing what you get on the real new price against the real 2nd hand.

Cars have dramatically increased in price over the last 6-12 months.

I was looking at 640is and they were £14-17k and they're now £22k plus for the same model/year and are a year older.

A 30-35k car is unlikely to be in as much demand as we’re looking at a recession and mass unemployment, fewer people will be comfortable with that sort of outlay.

You’d think this would be the case but it’s really not, plenty of people are buying cars at all prices.

As suggested above you may well get a new car at a better price

I’m looking at £32k-£35k for a four year old car with 35000miles on the clock.

Definitely can not afford the new equivalent.

What car is it?

I’ll let you know when it’s on the drive.

They’re ~£90k when new, so yes, first owners have to suck up colossal depreciation in the first few years ok ownership.

#bangernomics ?