How long does it take to buy a car?
Discussion
If I rock up at a dealership to look at a used car and decide by, say, 11am that I definitely want it, what time will be be driving out of the dealership in my new car? Let's assume that the car has several months' MOT left on it so that doesn't need sorting for me to be able to tax it.
Depends on the state of the car and how ready it is, and the type of dealer and how much prep they like to give it.
My wife could have driven her used car away as it was ready to go but frustratingly she couldn't as the money didn't go through until the next day.
Both my last two I agreed to buy when i visited, but waited for one to have a couple of things sorted with wheels and bodywork, and the other was having an inspection and MOT done, so collected them a few days later.
My wife could have driven her used car away as it was ready to go but frustratingly she couldn't as the money didn't go through until the next day.
Both my last two I agreed to buy when i visited, but waited for one to have a couple of things sorted with wheels and bodywork, and the other was having an inspection and MOT done, so collected them a few days later.
littlebasher said:
As an example, I turned up at Cargiant at 10am to look at a specific car.
I drove away in it at 5:30pm (and that included a PX). It was a long day, not recommended !
My experience of Cargiant a few years back was that they were just not geared up for cash buyers who wanted to choose a car, pay for it and drive away there and thenI drove away in it at 5:30pm (and that included a PX). It was a long day, not recommended !
MitchT said:
If I rock up at a dealership to look at a used car and decide by, say, 11am that I definitely want it, what time will be be driving out of the dealership in my new car? Let's assume that the car has several months' MOT left on it so that doesn't need sorting for me to be able to tax it.
Indy maybe, main dealer unlikely. I'd book an appointment and ask if it were possible subject to liking car and striking a deal.
Dealer is an Indy. Car is immaculate so won't need any prep. MOT until October so no issue getting tax and insurance sorted. Really just the payment going through and any paperwork they have to do to transfer the car to me. Just don't want to make more than one trip as it's 200 miles and the rail fares are eyewatering.
MitchT said:
Yes, I'll check and see how the land lies beforehand. The purpose of the thread was to see what others' experiences had been, you know, what with this being the car buying section of a car forum!
I’ve done it several times, but you need to ask them if it can be done because as above, circumstances vary. What seems “mint” from the advert in my experience never is, and if the dealer has other things to do that day they may not bother pumping up the tyres for you or moving it from the back of the lot.
Having said that, whilst asking if it can be taken away the same day shows your hand and potentially limits room for negotiation, it also shows you’re serious and can help clinch a deal, particularly if the car does fall short but you’re still prepared to take it as is.
MitchT said:
Dealer is an Indy. Car is immaculate so won't need any prep. MOT until October so no issue getting tax and insurance sorted. Really just the payment going through and any paperwork they have to do to transfer the car to me. Just don't want to make more than one trip as it's 200 miles and the rail fares are eyewatering.
Check how much you can transfer and don't do it out of business hours.It took 1hr 6mins for me to buy my last car, a Jaguar F-Type with decent spec.
I'd had a previous call with the dealer to check on some details, conducted Vcheck before heading over and we were cash buyers.
The longest I've had to wait when buying a user car was about a week, I put down my deposit at a BMW dealership and it went in for some cosmetic repairs and a wheel refurbish which took about a week in total before I was able to collect the car.
I'd had a previous call with the dealer to check on some details, conducted Vcheck before heading over and we were cash buyers.
The longest I've had to wait when buying a user car was about a week, I put down my deposit at a BMW dealership and it went in for some cosmetic repairs and a wheel refurbish which took about a week in total before I was able to collect the car.
Done it in about 2 hours before and that was at Audi Doncaster. Drove up from South Bucks so didn't want any return visits.
Car was front & centre when I got there and the salesman was sat waiting. Took my laptop with me and in a couple of hours, test drove, bank transfer, sorted Tax & Insurance and was driving home.
Car was front & centre when I got there and the salesman was sat waiting. Took my laptop with me and in a couple of hours, test drove, bank transfer, sorted Tax & Insurance and was driving home.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff