Used car haggling

[funkyrobot]

Off to look at a shed price Focus tomorrow. It's up for £595 (Ghia, 2.0 petrol, new MOT (no advisories), 113k miles etc.).

If the test drive and inspection look ok, what would be a good price to offer?

I'm thinking of starting at £450. Is that taking the proverbial urine? Maybe start at £500?

Anyone have any good haggling advice? Sorry, I'm new to this.

[steveo3002]

yeah sounds fair...start at 450 and he can haggle up to 500 if its a minter

[MorganP104]

steveo3002 said:

yeah sounds fair...start at 450 and he can haggle up to 500 if its a minter

This.

But don't be too apologetic about it. Tell the fella you'll give him £450 for the car, but try not to make it sound like a question.

He'll then shake his head, rub his chin, and tell you he can't take any less than £550 for it.

You then tell him you'll meet him in the middle, stating that £500 is your final offer.

'Old ahht yer aaand!

[funkyrobot]

Thanks.

Do i need to do some teeth sucking?

[anonymous-user]

i'm different i usually give/offer whats it worth. considering at this end of the market 450 is a bit of a piss take really. 500-550 depending on how well it looks and drives. i have to admit i usually just start the car up, never really done a test drive for a sub 1k car.

[funkyrobot]

The Spruce goose said:

i'm different i usually give/offer whats it worth. considering at this end of the market 450 is a bit of a piss take really. 500-550 depending on how well it looks and drives. i have to admit i usually just start the car up, never really done a test drive for a sub 1k car.

I'm new to this, hence why I'm asking. In all honesty, if it looks good, I would feel guilty starting at £450. We'll see how it goes. I only want to fire it up and check the clutch and gears etc.

[HumanDoing]

The psychology of haggling seems to be that if you and he both want to end at £500, it's better for you to start at £450 so he can 'get something out of the negotiation' by going up to £500. If you start at £500 then in order for him to get a little 'win' he needs to get up to £525 or whatever.

So yes I'd suggest starting at £450 and things should very quickly move to an amicable resolution for you both.

I'm sure there are videos on youtube where car salesmen explain this sort of tactic of letting the buyer think they've haggled their way to a discount using established psychological techniques.

[steveo3002]

i might have been lucky but several times ive said -yep well i like the car can we have a haggle and they immediately drop the price lower than what i had in mind lol

[Defconluke]

If you're happy to view at £595 then I take it you would be happy to pay £595 for it, if it is as described that is and free of major flaws?

Go in expecting to pay £595 and if there is something you can knock them down for - low tread on tyres, aircon regas if not that cold, new brake pads/dics etc. - then a fair offer would be in the region of £400-450 given that any of those issues would be dirt cheap to sort out if you are willing to get your hands dirty.

[MorganP104]

funkyrobot said:

Thanks.

Do i need to do some teeth sucking?

Teeth sucking is generally accepted as an expert level activity.

Just stick to eye contact and handshakes. You'll be fine.

[funkyrobot]

MorganP104 said:

funkyrobot said:

Thanks.

Do i need to do some teeth sucking?

Teeth sucking is generally accepted as an expert level activity.

Just stick to eye contact and handshakes. You'll be fine.

I had better avoid the teeth sucking then.

[funkyrobot]

Defconluke said:

If you're happy to view at £595 then I take it you would be happy to pay £595 for it, if it is as described that is and free of major flaws?

Go in expecting to pay £595 and if there is something you can knock them down for - low tread on tyres, aircon regas if not that cold, new brake pads/dics etc. - then a fair offer would be in the region of £400-450 given that any of those issues would be dirt cheap to sort out if you are willing to get your hands dirty.

Yeah. I'll guage it and see how it goes. £595 isn't the end of the world.

I plan to learn some mechanic skills on this car so I'm prepared to get my hands dirty.

[anonymous-user]

for me anything under 2k i buy private as trade take a bit and in essence you get more in private sales, in theory. just remember an mot means nothing nowadays.

[funkyrobot]

The Spruce goose said:

for me anything under 2k i buy private as trade take a bit and in essence you get more in private sales, in theory. just remember an mot means nothing nowadays.

Ok. Thanks.

Will attempt to give it a good check over before handing over any cash.

[anonymous-user]

if you can take someone else and remember there are always another out there. i think these have cambelts so check that and oil colour as 400 quid straight there to sort. suspension bits can be done cheaply.

[funkyrobot]

Cambelt was apparently done around six years ago. Last service five months ago.

I'm going on my own as I don't have anyone available to take.

[anonymous-user]

my car only cost 420 quid, and running well so there are bargains out there, good luck.

[funkyrobot]

Thanks. The signs are good. Just need to see it in the flesh.

[Integroo]

12 month MOT and no advisories? Stop being a cheap ******* and give the guy 595 quid.

[lucido grigio]

funkyrobot said:

Cambelt was apparently done around six years .

Don't know what the life of these is but it might need doing again now,or soon.