Tell me how to buy a car in the UK, please

[Phokaioglaukos]

Moving from US to Scotland in January and then to Ireland in July. Settled on a BMW and have just got a dealer quotation. It appears his price is the list price and the only discount offered is from BMW and only if I finance the car. I would pay cash. Is this normal? I would expect a price less than list if buying in the US unless the car is in high demand, and I did not expect an ordered M140i would be hard to get. Dealer also suggested 3 year service for £299. That seems unlikely to be useful in Ireland, but I didn't mention my plan to move again.

So, do I finance for a month to get the discount and then pay it off? Do I tell the dealer to now give me the real price he proposes to charge? What is the total amount of a deposit on a new car order?

I will also need insurance. I have a UK full driving licence from when I last lived there, and it's unblemished. Can I get a policy for less than a year? What's the best way to shop for insurance if I need it to be effective on the day I arrive in the UK?

What else do I need to know?

Edited by Phokaioglaukos on Saturday 11th November 13:07

[Rubensolo]

have you try carwow or drivethedeal for quotations?

[jas xjr]

take a look at some brokers such as carwow. the cars are supplied by the main dealer

[Willy Nilly]

Have you ever held an insurance policy here and if so how long ago? The cost of insurance may be a stumbling block if you don't have any no claims bonus or driving history.

[MTech535]

Agree with the posts above, check prices from brokers, big discounts available on M140i.
They are currently 27k via drive the deal.

But yes take the finance to get manufacturer contribution, then pay off the finance.

[Phokaioglaukos]

No . It's unusual in the US to use a broker for a new car purchase. Is it possible to spec a car precisely through a broker? Are broker purchase typically filled from current stock or built to order?

[Phokaioglaukos]

Willy Nilly said:

Have you ever held an insurance policy here and if so how long ago? The cost of insurance may be a stumbling block if you don't have any no claims bonus or driving history.

Never had UK insurance. I'll just have to pay what it costs.

[Deerfoot]

Phokaioglaukos said:

Never had UK insurance. I'll just have to pay what it costs.

I'd get some quotes before you proceed to be honest...

[HTP99]

Finance has been mentioned by yourself and one other, if there is isn't a minimum 3 year trace for you in the UK from the moment that the finance is proposed then the chances of you being approved for finance are practically nil.

[Stormfly1985]

If you are after a 140i, Tony @ TRL is the man to talk to. http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=10...

[Willy Nilly]

Deerfoot said:

Phokaioglaukos said:

Never had UK insurance. I'll just have to pay what it costs.

I'd get some quotes before you proceed to be honest...

When the OP checks out insurance on a new BMW for someone with no driving history, I suspect their next post will be "what car for £1,000"

[Sir Bagalot]

You might also want to check out the second part of your move.

Ireland don't like anything over two litres when it comes to car tax. There insurance costs are also rather expensive compared to the UK

[Phokaioglaukos]

Irish road tax is €750/year on this car. Better than the €2,350 on the GT4. Chubb quoted reasonable agreed value insurance on the Cayman. For what it is. If I take it to Ireland from US.

[Olivergt]

Sir Bagalot said:

You might also want to check out the second part of your move.

Ireland don't like anything over two litres when it comes to car tax. There insurance costs are also rather expensive compared to the UK

The 2l myth is for cars 2008 and older. New cars have road tax based on CO2, best to check on www.motortax.ie as there are quite a number of bands.

Insurance can be a bit pricey, there are not many companies doing it so not much competition, but they do seem to favour new cars for some reason.

P..S. Cars older than 2008 are still taxed on engine size, 2L would be 710, 3L would be 1850 euro.

[Phokaioglaukos]

Stormfly1985 said:

If you are after a 140i, Tony @ TRL is the man to talk to. http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=10...

This proved to be a golden suggestion. Tony has been first rate and very helpful. Contract received and deposit going over today. Tony is really on it!