Ex-Demo Cars - worth it?
Discussion
No problem at all. They usually spec decent options and if they match your requirements, you're quids in. I bought an ex-demo Mini Cooper S convertible with a high theoretical list price for well under market price from a main dealer. 2 years on its been trouble free and worth £2k less than I paid for it. Also bought an ex JLR Head Office "courtesy" F-Pace from an indie with £12k of options for £20k under list at 12 months old, again trouble free and exactly to our needs.
I would have thought they were a great option, although I've never bought one!
But I did buy a pre-registered BMW in January 2008 that was just 3 months old and had done less than 20 miles! It had a few good options fitted and cost about £5K less than list so I was very pleased with that. The only time I've ever owned a car on a current plate.
But I did buy a pre-registered BMW in January 2008 that was just 3 months old and had done less than 20 miles! It had a few good options fitted and cost about £5K less than list so I was very pleased with that. The only time I've ever owned a car on a current plate.
Bought an ex demo mini countryman when they first came out. Had decals, 19in alloying all the options you want it turned far too many heads and was too being for our tastes. But if was great value and never missed a beat.
I've recently bought a car that wasn't a demo but a factory run around and an absolute bargain @ 2k miles an 12 months old. I will always buy a demo as the options tend to be the desirable ones
I've recently bought a car that wasn't a demo but a factory run around and an absolute bargain @ 2k miles an 12 months old. I will always buy a demo as the options tend to be the desirable ones
Edited by TheDrownedApe on Tuesday 21st July 23:04
While I wouldn't have an issue buying a demo of a general car, I would feel uncomfortable with buying a demo performance car.
I have looked at 2018 Golf GTI's which if you bought new you would be advised to take it easy on the revs/engine for the first 1,000 miles, however if you were buying a demo surely you would be buying a car that has spent its first 5,000 miles doing short 10-20 minutes journeys with potential buyer that are likely to put their foot down prior to engine being warm/run in?
I have looked at 2018 Golf GTI's which if you bought new you would be advised to take it easy on the revs/engine for the first 1,000 miles, however if you were buying a demo surely you would be buying a car that has spent its first 5,000 miles doing short 10-20 minutes journeys with potential buyer that are likely to put their foot down prior to engine being warm/run in?
Munka01 said:
While I wouldn't have an issue buying a demo of a general car, I would feel uncomfortable with buying a demo performance car.
I have looked at 2018 Golf GTI's which if you bought new you would be advised to take it easy on the revs/engine for the first 1,000 miles, however if you were buying a demo surely you would be buying a car that has spent its first 5,000 miles doing short 10-20 minutes journeys with potential buyer that are likely to put their foot down prior to engine being warm/run in?
Depends on how long you are going to keep it? As if warranty, then who cares. Enjoy the options.I have looked at 2018 Golf GTI's which if you bought new you would be advised to take it easy on the revs/engine for the first 1,000 miles, however if you were buying a demo surely you would be buying a car that has spent its first 5,000 miles doing short 10-20 minutes journeys with potential buyer that are likely to put their foot down prior to engine being warm/run in?
Edited by hyphen on Wednesday 22 July 06:53
piperdelux said:
Is anyone aware of any websites which specifically advertise ex demos for sale? Or is it just a case of trawling local dealer websites?
Pretty much every low mileage nearly new car will be either an ex demo or ex lease/rental car Every approved used website will be full of them
Employees of the manufacturer/dealers get company cars which are frequently changed to provide a supply of nearly new ex demo cars
They are usually a good deal. The only ‘beware’ I would offer is that some dealers describe ex-rental cars as demonstrators. This happened to me, I only found out when the V5 arrived and I googled the company named as the previous owner - they were a hire car franchise. I took it up with the dealer who gave me a couple of free services. That said, the car is now on 55k and has been brilliant.
Over 20 years ago, a friend worked as a salesman for a franchise which sold Korean cars.
In terms of demos, we used a mini SUV one for some fairly extreme offroading down a forest track (determined to see how effective the 4WD was, but it turned out to be a 2WD version). Another demo, which was a 'warm hatch', ended up on it's side in a ditch after understeering off the road under hard cornering, and then he had another 'sporty' demo which he crashed heavily while thrashing it (I thankfully wasn't on board for that one).
He did finally get sacked after the third incident, but all the cars were repaired in-house and found their way back onto the forecourt...
(I'm sure nothing like the above happens these days!)
In terms of demos, we used a mini SUV one for some fairly extreme offroading down a forest track (determined to see how effective the 4WD was, but it turned out to be a 2WD version). Another demo, which was a 'warm hatch', ended up on it's side in a ditch after understeering off the road under hard cornering, and then he had another 'sporty' demo which he crashed heavily while thrashing it (I thankfully wasn't on board for that one).
He did finally get sacked after the third incident, but all the cars were repaired in-house and found their way back onto the forecourt...
(I'm sure nothing like the above happens these days!)
Last year was looking for a specific spec Cooper S DCT auto 3 door thinking I would have a long wait - found one at Lincolnshire Mini dealers which had all essential options. Original list cost over £30k, 13months old 7000 miles and paid 60% and got next service include in deal . .Long list and they had even forgotten to include the Harmon Kardon sound upgrade which was a bonus
The DCT 7speed box very rare at that time and reassuring that the dealer had been first owner. Anyone else I would have wondered why they were selling at a year old particularly if they had specced car with £10K extras
No problems and would do again
The DCT 7speed box very rare at that time and reassuring that the dealer had been first owner. Anyone else I would have wondered why they were selling at a year old particularly if they had specced car with £10K extras
No problems and would do again
Mini dealers do seem to keep their demos for a long time. I guess most buyers want a bespoke car so buying one at 3 months old that someone else spec'd for a few thou off doesn't attract too many but those like you and me that are happy with a year old car get an absolute bargain with still 2 years warranty.
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