Buying a used car. What kind of discount to expect
Discussion
JABB said:
So, you would say £500 off a £10000 car is about right? or taking the piss?
Depends whether it's priced right to start with... Looking at bangers marked up at £1995, I've managed to get £700 off - just means it was overpriced to start with IYSWIM.Do your homework, then negiotiate on whether it needs tyres, service, cosmetic paintwork, MOT etc
Measure the amount of tread left on the spare tyre, multiply this by the angle that is swept by the driver's side wiper blade, deduct the amount of visible scratches you can see on the bonnet and then add on the number of spokes on one alloy wheel (if it doesn't have alloys, then just add 1).
I thought everyone knew this formula for calculating discounts?
I thought everyone knew this formula for calculating discounts?
Amir, half the problem is these cars seem to be selling for way more than the retail price ( I don't have a glasses guide )I have been to a couple of auctions and one car was Cap Clean at £8700 and the hammer fell at £9400. Commision on top to the trade was £200 ish.
The car now is for sale at £13995.
Now, I was hoping with cap clean sale, I could get the car from a dealer for £10000. Maybe I am miss judging the profits on cars, but I remember a thread on here a while ago and a dealer saying he was making £500 - £1000 on each car.
The car in question is a Mercedes 320CDI Estate. Avant Gaurd with 80k ish on the clock with a few extras ( Command, Parking aids etc )Two months ago, a 2004 car was up for £9995. Now they seem to be in the £12000 range.
The car now is for sale at £13995.
Now, I was hoping with cap clean sale, I could get the car from a dealer for £10000. Maybe I am miss judging the profits on cars, but I remember a thread on here a while ago and a dealer saying he was making £500 - £1000 on each car.
The car in question is a Mercedes 320CDI Estate. Avant Gaurd with 80k ish on the clock with a few extras ( Command, Parking aids etc )Two months ago, a 2004 car was up for £9995. Now they seem to be in the £12000 range.
Have you sorted Autotrader by date? as time of the year with lowest sales. My situation is I am seeking a 320d 177 and many of them have been on for a while and not sold- suprising when you consider the popularity! Well priced one's sell in days.
One car on a 08 plate I made a good offer on and justified compared to trade price/other autotrdader ads which would give him a >2k profit theortically but was declined so walked, He had overpaid for it and would be selling at a loss - stupid logic as had been on for 3 weeks already and now stuck under snow and will just not sell anywhere near his price- his yard is in the middle of nowhere as well.
Wasn't too fussed as a mass market car they sold thousands of, unless its a rare car or a rare spec then just a matter of time as prices only go one way eventually & another one always comes along.
Price only ever goes down so unless in a rush just wait, you may want to keep an eye on Autoquake.com as some of their prices can be decent.
One car on a 08 plate I made a good offer on and justified compared to trade price/other autotrdader ads which would give him a >2k profit theortically but was declined so walked, He had overpaid for it and would be selling at a loss - stupid logic as had been on for 3 weeks already and now stuck under snow and will just not sell anywhere near his price- his yard is in the middle of nowhere as well.
Wasn't too fussed as a mass market car they sold thousands of, unless its a rare car or a rare spec then just a matter of time as prices only go one way eventually & another one always comes along.
Price only ever goes down so unless in a rush just wait, you may want to keep an eye on Autoquake.com as some of their prices can be decent.
Edited by amir_j on Saturday 4th December 13:31
If a trader is selling a second hand car the factors include,
- If it's a popular model which he can sell quite easily, how easy is it for him to re-stock with another one?
- If it's popular model there will be another buyer along in a minute so there's no point letting you have it cheap.
- Of that model he'd rather sell one car with £1,000 margin than 2 cars each with £500 margin.
- If it's not a popular model (likely something he hasn't bought-in but a car someone PXd) you're much more likely to be able to "do a deal".
- Sometimes a good buy can be achieved by picking up a car that someone's PXd into a dealership which sells a different brand. Some dealers put the PX on the forecourt for a week or two to see if they can get a half decent offer before sending them off to auction...
- The last week of January can be a good time to negotiate a decent price at a dealership.
Ozzie Osmond said:
- Sometimes a good buy can be achieved by picking up a car that someone's PXd into a dealership which sells a different brand
The key being to both my decent deals was the dealer really wanted the cars removed asap for cash.
amir_j said:
One car on a 08 plate I made a good offer on and justified compared to trade price/other autotrdader ads which would give him a >2k profit theortically but was declined so walked, He had overpaid for it and would be selling at a loss - stupid logic as had been on for 3 weeks already and now stuck under snow and will just not sell anywhere near his price- his yard is in the middle of nowhere as well.
I'm always impressed with members of the public who know more about selling cars than a dealer who does it for a living all day every day.Why was it stupid logic? How do you (a punter, not a dealer) know what it will sell for? How do you know he should sell it after 3 weeks? Most main dealers have a 90 day plan on used stock, independents have freedom to keep a car as long as they want, waiting for the right man to buy it at a price they're happy at. How do you know how much profit he theoretically had in the car?
So many people on here spout crap about selling cars when in their entire liftimes they've sold fewer cars than an average month for a dealer, yet assume they are experts. This, and the clocked cars thread, just go to prove this.
markmullen said:
amir_j said:
One car on a 08 plate I made a good offer on and justified compared to trade price/other autotrdader ads which would give him a >2k profit theortically but was declined so walked, He had overpaid for it and would be selling at a loss - stupid logic as had been on for 3 weeks already and now stuck under snow and will just not sell anywhere near his price- his yard is in the middle of nowhere as well.
I'm always impressed with members of the public who know more about selling cars than a dealer who does it for a living all day every day.Why was it stupid logic? How do you (a punter, not a dealer) know what it will sell for? How do you know he should sell it after 3 weeks? Most main dealers have a 90 day plan on used stock, independents have freedom to keep a car as long as they want, waiting for the right man to buy it at a price they're happy at. How do you know how much profit he theoretically had in the car?
So many people on here spout crap about selling cars when in their entire liftimes they've sold fewer cars than an average month for a dealer, yet assume they are experts. This, and the clocked cars thread, just go to prove this.
Stop being thick Mark!
CAP Clean is the price for one without options. As you have stated here in the past...you want COMAND, leather etc. CAP add £1000 for COMAND alone so the auction one you refer to was actually under book.
Out of interest why do you want a W211 E320 CDI? Unless you really need the space (they are big) they're pretty shoddy cars IMO. Nice motorway cruisers but off the pace everywhere else.
Most dealers will want to maintain a significant margin on something like this as a 100k W211 has nightmare written all over it. They'll want to be covered for potential big bills so will not risk selling one at a very low margin.
Out of interest why do you want a W211 E320 CDI? Unless you really need the space (they are big) they're pretty shoddy cars IMO. Nice motorway cruisers but off the pace everywhere else.
Most dealers will want to maintain a significant margin on something like this as a 100k W211 has nightmare written all over it. They'll want to be covered for potential big bills so will not risk selling one at a very low margin.
Edited by confused_buyer on Saturday 4th December 14:34
Donut said:
markmullen said:
amir_j said:
One car on a 08 plate I made a good offer on and justified compared to trade price/other autotrdader ads which would give him a >2k profit theortically but was declined so walked, He had overpaid for it and would be selling at a loss - stupid logic as had been on for 3 weeks already and now stuck under snow and will just not sell anywhere near his price- his yard is in the middle of nowhere as well.
I'm always impressed with members of the public who know more about selling cars than a dealer who does it for a living all day every day.Why was it stupid logic? How do you (a punter, not a dealer) know what it will sell for? How do you know he should sell it after 3 weeks? Most main dealers have a 90 day plan on used stock, independents have freedom to keep a car as long as they want, waiting for the right man to buy it at a price they're happy at. How do you know how much profit he theoretically had in the car?
So many people on here spout crap about selling cars when in their entire liftimes they've sold fewer cars than an average month for a dealer, yet assume they are experts. This, and the clocked cars thread, just go to prove this.
Stop being thick Mark!
- Interior worn more than would be expected, drivers door seal knackered, leather scuffed, interior door trim damaged etc
- 08 plate but >60k so out of warranty
-Huge fleet sales for 320d, the 177bhp came out around November 2010. So 57's on market now, 08's early next year
- auto which appeals too less on a 3 series as opposed to on a 5
- minimum paperwork
- due an Inspection 2 in 400 miles
- 4 new Run flats required (2 now and 2 with 4mm tread)
- rear pads needed
- accident damage repaired(by Bmw but would still put people off).
- lack of cheap finance
- time of the year.
- no wow factor, has leather but no xenons, sat nav, folding rear seat etc etc
- was 3 weeks for sale from when I looked at it, now over 4 weeks. Its Christmas...
etc etc
A mass market big selling, rwd out of warranty BMW in winter = sensible price or no sale. The dealer in question needs a wide eyed pup comes along or drop the price.
As I am seeking an Auto and in Grey options are limited and I know what is selling and what has been hanging around just by keeping an eye on it.If I was less picky would have the same car at the price offered as new stuff coming onto the market have margins reflecting todays trade prices.
markmullen said:
Obviously an expert.
Tell me, if you're so good how come you don't put your money where your mouth is and open a dealership?
1) Because I have a career I am good at and pays well with no overheads.Tell me, if you're so good how come you don't put your money where your mouth is and open a dealership?
2) Have no desire to flog cars
3) I couldn't do sales...
Edit to say: Don't know why you are taking it seriously, this is a Del Boy type dealer as opposed to a respected independent. In any profession there are good and bad, or are you convinced that is not the case and have to defend all car salespeople?
Edited by amir_j on Saturday 4th December 16:05
amir_j said:
markmullen said:
Obviously an expert.
Tell me, if you're so good how come you don't put your money where your mouth is and open a dealership?
1) Because I have a career I am good at and pays well with no overheads.Tell me, if you're so good how come you don't put your money where your mouth is and open a dealership?
2) Have no desire to flog cars
3) I couldn't do sales...
Edit to say: Don't know why you are taking it seriously, this is a Del Boy type dealer as opposed to a respected independent. In any profession there are good and bad, or are you convinced that is not the case and have to defend all car salespeople?
Edited by amir_j on Saturday 4th December 16:05
Thats all
Donut said:
amir_j said:
markmullen said:
Obviously an expert.
Tell me, if you're so good how come you don't put your money where your mouth is and open a dealership?
1) Because I have a career I am good at and pays well with no overheads.Tell me, if you're so good how come you don't put your money where your mouth is and open a dealership?
2) Have no desire to flog cars
3) I couldn't do sales...
Edit to say: Don't know why you are taking it seriously, this is a Del Boy type dealer as opposed to a respected independent. In any profession there are good and bad, or are you convinced that is not the case and have to defend all car salespeople?
Edited by amir_j on Saturday 4th December 16:05
Thats all
You should write a book and pass on your wisdom. Perhaps the title can be "How to bend over and take it"
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