I'm about to purchase my first 'nearly new' car. Advice need
Discussion
Hello All,
I'm in the process of looking and buying my first 'nearly new' car from a (main) dealer.
As a bit of background The newest car I've owned to date was about 8/9 years old and the lowest mileage has been approx 40k. All private sales. Never bought from a dealer before so not too sure what to expect.
All cars I've seen advertised are 18 months old and covered between 6k and 17k miles. Should I expect nothing less than immaculate / showroom or is that unrealistic and should accept the odd small mark or stone chip here and there? What can I push the dealer to sort, if anything?
What discount if any should I expect from the dealer? (cars are up at £22k) and can I push for extras like extended warranty and servicing?
All in all I don;t want to miss any tricks and have my pants pulled down by a salesman so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I'm in the process of looking and buying my first 'nearly new' car from a (main) dealer.
As a bit of background The newest car I've owned to date was about 8/9 years old and the lowest mileage has been approx 40k. All private sales. Never bought from a dealer before so not too sure what to expect.
All cars I've seen advertised are 18 months old and covered between 6k and 17k miles. Should I expect nothing less than immaculate / showroom or is that unrealistic and should accept the odd small mark or stone chip here and there? What can I push the dealer to sort, if anything?
What discount if any should I expect from the dealer? (cars are up at £22k) and can I push for extras like extended warranty and servicing?
All in all I don;t want to miss any tricks and have my pants pulled down by a salesman so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Push to the point where you're happy with the deal. If the dealer can make it work, they will, if they won't they'll likely just tell you outright it wont be possible.
First thing to do would be to go and view a few different ones, get an idea for what sort of quality to expect, for what sort of price.
If there's a few small stone chips, or an alloy scuff, ask if they can be fixed up as part of the deal.
Every dealership is different, just be friendly and reasonable and you'll soon get an idea of what is and isn't possible.
In my view, a car that's only 18 months old should be near factory condition - no dents, ripped seats, marked interior or excessive wear etc.
First thing to do would be to go and view a few different ones, get an idea for what sort of quality to expect, for what sort of price.
If there's a few small stone chips, or an alloy scuff, ask if they can be fixed up as part of the deal.
Every dealership is different, just be friendly and reasonable and you'll soon get an idea of what is and isn't possible.
In my view, a car that's only 18 months old should be near factory condition - no dents, ripped seats, marked interior or excessive wear etc.
CallorFold said:
Push to the point where you're happy with the deal. If the dealer can make it work, they will, if they won't they'll likely just tell you outright it wont be possible.
First thing to do would be to go and view a few different ones, get an idea for what sort of quality to expect, for what sort of price.
If there's a few small stone chips, or an alloy scuff, ask if they can be fixed up as part of the deal.
Every dealership is different, just be friendly and reasonable and you'll soon get an idea of what is and isn't possible.
In my view, a car that's only 18 months old should be near factory condition - no dents, ripped seats, marked interior or excessive wear etc.
Thanks for your reply. First thing to do would be to go and view a few different ones, get an idea for what sort of quality to expect, for what sort of price.
If there's a few small stone chips, or an alloy scuff, ask if they can be fixed up as part of the deal.
Every dealership is different, just be friendly and reasonable and you'll soon get an idea of what is and isn't possible.
In my view, a car that's only 18 months old should be near factory condition - no dents, ripped seats, marked interior or excessive wear etc.
Pretty much my thoughts then. As for stone chips would a touch up be the usual rectification or anything else?
Just a thought - if you're looking at stuff that's <18 months and 7k miles, don't automatically dismiss Brand New cars. Depending on the model, and dealer's targets etc. you can often pick up a brand new car for the same price as a 12 month old one (Mini, Range Rovers spring to mind).
As for expectations, no car is *perfect*, but anything you pick up, you can realistically ask the dealer to try and sort as part of the deal, especially dents and alloy kerbing. Tiny stone chips and scuff marks near the door handle wouldn't bother me much as that's pretty much what you'd expect from use.
As for expectations, no car is *perfect*, but anything you pick up, you can realistically ask the dealer to try and sort as part of the deal, especially dents and alloy kerbing. Tiny stone chips and scuff marks near the door handle wouldn't bother me much as that's pretty much what you'd expect from use.
SuperPav said:
Just a thought - if you're looking at stuff that's <18 months and 7k miles, don't automatically dismiss Brand New cars. Depending on the model, and dealer's targets etc. you can often pick up a brand new car for the same price as a 12 month old one (Mini, Range Rovers spring to mind).
As for expectations, no car is *perfect*, but anything you pick up, you can realistically ask the dealer to try and sort as part of the deal, especially dents and alloy kerbing. Tiny stone chips and scuff marks near the door handle wouldn't bother me much as that's pretty much what you'd expect from use.
It's a 2013 Mini GP2 so used only. As for expectations, no car is *perfect*, but anything you pick up, you can realistically ask the dealer to try and sort as part of the deal, especially dents and alloy kerbing. Tiny stone chips and scuff marks near the door handle wouldn't bother me much as that's pretty much what you'd expect from use.
Thanks for your expectation, that sounds realistic really.
liner33 said:
A used car should show signs of being used its not going to be showroom fresh but should be in excellent condition , any stone chips should have been touched up but it would be unreasonable to expect there to be no signs of wear and tear
Echo above, thanks. I suppose it makes sense, cars can pick up stone chips and wear within a few hundred miles. Same as all the used cars, every other time you wash it and find another chip or mark. I bought a 1 year old astra at 19k miles from a main dealer in Torbay last year, came with the balance of manufacturers standard 3 year warranty etc. The salesman was great although it can vary from dealer to dealer of any make. You can expect the odd stone chip and possibly a refurb on one or two of the alloys but generally the car should be nigh on immaculate. They will sort things out if you pick up on anything. They may offer gap insurance and paint protection, you could try and push for these as part of the deal. I tried but they wouldn’t play ball as it was one of the cheapest astras in the Vauxhall network at the time. They had reduced the price that day by 2k and there was a lot of interest including another guy who turned up to buy it while I was test driving it.
One other thing you may wish to check is who the previous owner was, mine was an ex hire car. You may think differently, but it didn’t bother me as the car had another 2 years of warranty to run and I have had no problems in 15000 miles.
One other thing you may wish to check is who the previous owner was, mine was an ex hire car. You may think differently, but it didn’t bother me as the car had another 2 years of warranty to run and I have had no problems in 15000 miles.
kuro said:
I bought a 1 year old astra at 19k miles from a main dealer in Torbay last year, came with the balance of manufacturers standard 3 year warranty etc. The salesman was great although it can vary from dealer to dealer of any make. You can expect the odd stone chip and possibly a refurb on one or two of the alloys but generally the car should be nigh on immaculate. They will sort things out if you pick up on anything. They may offer gap insurance and paint protection, you could try and push for these as part of the deal. I tried but they wouldn’t play ball as it was one of the cheapest astras in the Vauxhall network at the time. They had reduced the price that day by 2k and there was a lot of interest including another guy who turned up to buy it while I was test driving it.
One other thing you may wish to check is who the previous owner was, mine was an ex hire car. You may think differently, but it didn’t bother me as the car had another 2 years of warranty to run and I have had no problems in 15000 miles.
Thanks for all this. So expect minimal wear and tear but nigh on immaculate bar the odd mark.One other thing you may wish to check is who the previous owner was, mine was an ex hire car. You may think differently, but it didn’t bother me as the car had another 2 years of warranty to run and I have had no problems in 15000 miles.
I've checked one car and it's ex Mini HQ owned, so like a management/show car they drive around the dealers to sit in show rooms etc. Could either mean it's been looked after or ragged to an inch of it's life by by the staff. I expect the latter. Worth a look as it's very low mileage.
mcflurry said:
Or an ex hire car?
That's where a lot of 1 year old stock comes from.
My ERAC owner stamp made my car £2k cheaper than the next one on the lot
Apparently not, that was my first impression. But according to the dealer it's an ex (Doncaster based) HQ car so actually owned by Mini for use by it's employees. How true that is, I'm unsure. That's where a lot of 1 year old stock comes from.
My ERAC owner stamp made my car £2k cheaper than the next one on the lot
I've bought second hand from dealers around 4 times recently, expect the dealer to become your best friend very quickly, until a few days after you bought the car when you then become someone they don't want to talk to any more if you have any problems. I'm not that worried as it's part of buying used, but it is a pain when they promise to send you a missing part, new tyres etc and don't bother calling you back or sending the bits.
The simple rules I gather for buying are barter barter barter, and once the price is agreed then try to get them to throw in some extras. They will make out they aren't earning a penny, but you will know from trying to sell a car that it isn't true so don't feel guilty!
The simple rules I gather for buying are barter barter barter, and once the price is agreed then try to get them to throw in some extras. They will make out they aren't earning a penny, but you will know from trying to sell a car that it isn't true so don't feel guilty!
EnthusiastOwned said:
The dealer states the last owner was Mini HQ as on the Log Book.
Make sure you get a look at the log book to check prev' owners.Also check history how many stamps in book, has it been serviced according to the warranty requirements (ie if you have to make a warrsanty claim will it be thrown out)
Check for quality matching tyres and no cheap Chinese rubbish tyres
Check both keys present / locking wheel nut etc
EnthusiastOwned said:
The dealer states the last owner was Mini HQ as on the Log Book.
Just be sure to check the log book & google whatever company name is found there. More than once I've been told a car was owned by 'the manufacturer' and therefore was a cherished management car or whatever - It always transpired that the manufacturer buy them back from the Hire car company, or essentially loan them out for a year with a guaranteed buy back & the 'dogs' going to auction - I'm not sure exactly how it works.In my very recent experience looking for a car for someone else, the vast majority of 1 year old cars at dealerships are ex hire cars.
Not that it's really a bad thing. I found one with not a mark on the bodywork & still on its original tyres.
topcat1 said:
I've bought second hand from dealers around 4 times recently, expect the dealer to become your best friend very quickly, until a few days after you bought the car when you then become someone they don't want to talk to any more if you have any problems. I'm not that worried as it's part of buying used, but it is a pain when they promise to send you a missing part, new tyres etc and don't bother calling you back or sending the bits.
The simple rules I gather for buying are barter barter barter, and once the price is agreed then try to get them to throw in some extras. They will make out they aren't earning a penny, but you will know from trying to sell a car that it isn't true so don't feel guilty!
This is pretty much what I was going to say.The simple rules I gather for buying are barter barter barter, and once the price is agreed then try to get them to throw in some extras. They will make out they aren't earning a penny, but you will know from trying to sell a car that it isn't true so don't feel guilty!
Make sure anything you wanted to be rectified actually is rectified before you give them the balance as once you have paid and driven the car home reluctantly and in a foul mood and starting your ownership experience off badly they are much less inclined to sort things out for you at all let alone quickly and properly.
Happened with the last 2 used cars I have bought from dealers. never again will I actually pay and drive off if I'm not happy with the car/ service.
topcat1 said:
I've bought second hand from dealers around 4 times recently, expect the dealer to become your best friend very quickly, until a few days after you bought the car when you then become someone they don't want to talk to any more if you have any problems. I'm not that worried as it's part of buying used, but it is a pain when they promise to send you a missing part, new tyres etc and don't bother calling you back or sending the bits.
The simple rules I gather for buying are barter barter barter, and once the price is agreed then try to get them to throw in some extras. They will make out they aren't earning a penny, but you will know from trying to sell a car that it isn't true so don't feel guilty!
I've noticed this trend and it's the main reason why I've held off buying from dealers for so long. I hate salesman with a passion. I may have found a nice one who's approach is a little passive though, fingers crossed. The simple rules I gather for buying are barter barter barter, and once the price is agreed then try to get them to throw in some extras. They will make out they aren't earning a penny, but you will know from trying to sell a car that it isn't true so don't feel guilty!
rallycross said:
Make sure you get a look at the log book to check prev' owners.
Also check history how many stamps in book, has it been serviced according to the warranty requirements (ie if you have to make a warrsanty claim will it be thrown out)
Check for quality matching tyres and no cheap Chinese rubbish tyres
Check both keys present / locking wheel nut etc
It's a 1 owner car and that HQ mini in Doncaster, apparently. Tyres are a big thing on the GP, Kumho track tyres from the factory or high quality all season will be a must. Also check history how many stamps in book, has it been serviced according to the warranty requirements (ie if you have to make a warrsanty claim will it be thrown out)
Check for quality matching tyres and no cheap Chinese rubbish tyres
Check both keys present / locking wheel nut etc
DaveCWK said:
Just be sure to check the log book & google whatever company name is found there. More than once I've been told a car was owned by 'the manufacturer' and therefore was a cherished management car or whatever - It always transpired that the manufacturer buy them back from the Hire car company, or essentially loan them out for a year with a guaranteed buy back & the 'dogs' going to auction - I'm not sure exactly how it works.
In my very recent experience looking for a car for someone else, the vast majority of 1 year old cars at dealerships are ex hire cars.
Not that it's really a bad thing. I found one with not a mark on the bodywork & still on its original tyres.
This is my concern. I'm unsure what the logbook would say if this is the case. Knowing how people treat hire cars and also how dealerships treat their cars is a huge concern, I don't want a car which has been raped for it's first 18 months. In my very recent experience looking for a car for someone else, the vast majority of 1 year old cars at dealerships are ex hire cars.
Not that it's really a bad thing. I found one with not a mark on the bodywork & still on its original tyres.
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