How to buy a used car?
Discussion
This is maybe a slightly silly thread on this forum, but i thought i'd ask anyway. I am about to try and purchase my second car, after having the first for over 9 years(!). I have a few questions, and would be grateful for answers to them.
(for info, i'm looking at 09 VW Scirocco's in the £12-£14k range)
- What is generally the markup of a car at a main dealer over another normal used car dealer?
- If buying with no finance, what's the standard payment method?
- How quickly can i purchase? (can i drive away same day? or is it more normal to pickup later?)
- How does insurance work?
I will no doubt have more questions once i've had more of a think, but any answers to the above, or general advice, would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
(for info, i'm looking at 09 VW Scirocco's in the £12-£14k range)
- What is generally the markup of a car at a main dealer over another normal used car dealer?
- If buying with no finance, what's the standard payment method?
- How quickly can i purchase? (can i drive away same day? or is it more normal to pickup later?)
- How does insurance work?
I will no doubt have more questions once i've had more of a think, but any answers to the above, or general advice, would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Matt.. said:
- What is generally the markup of a car at a main dealer over another normal used car dealer?
Varies, can be £500, can be £2k. Depends on the dealer, car, how long its been in stock, and what it owes them.Matt.. said:
- If buying with no finance, what's the standard payment method?
Debit card, Bank Transfer, Cheque (allow time to clear)Matt.. said:
- How quickly can i purchase? (can i drive away same day? or is it more normal to pickup later?)
Usually have to wait a couple of days to allow them to tax it etc.Matt.. said:
- How does insurance work?
Some dealers will do driveaway insurance (7 day insurance), makes it easier for them to tax. Otherwise, you phone an insurance company, get a quote, accept a quote, and get a certificate. You might have to send the certificate to the dealer so they can tax it - this isn't unusual, depends on the dealer.Matt.. said:
- What is generally the markup of a car at a main dealer over another normal used car dealer?
- If buying with no finance, what's the standard payment method?
- How quickly can i purchase? (can i drive away same day? or is it more normal to pickup later?)
- How does insurance work?
The mark up will depend on what they paid for the car. If it's one they've taken in as a P/X then maybe more than one they have bought in from an auction.- If buying with no finance, what's the standard payment method?
- How quickly can i purchase? (can i drive away same day? or is it more normal to pickup later?)
- How does insurance work?
I've always used a debit card. Dealers don't like cash.
You can sometimes drive away that day. Typically not though as the car will need taxing & maybe a valet or whatever.
You can normally get insurance from a dealer - sometimes free for 7 days - to allow you to drive away if you don't already have insurance. If you do already have it, a phone call to your insurance company will sort it.
A friend of my recently purchased an 09 white scirocco. It was white had panoramic roof full vw history and was immaculate. He got it from sytner Mercedes benz in Bristol so it was presumably a trade in.
It was on 54k 09plate and ad upgraded stereo cloth interior. 2.0tfsi/fsi engine petrol.
Paid 11250 for it 11month mot the tax which was on the car was around 7months remaining and a tank of fuel.
He's taken out a warranty with vw privately not ure of the cost of this iirc circa £400 and the car came with the dealerships standard 3month warranty.
I think he got a very very good deal.
It was on 54k 09plate and ad upgraded stereo cloth interior. 2.0tfsi/fsi engine petrol.
Paid 11250 for it 11month mot the tax which was on the car was around 7months remaining and a tank of fuel.
He's taken out a warranty with vw privately not ure of the cost of this iirc circa £400 and the car came with the dealerships standard 3month warranty.
I think he got a very very good deal.
northwest monkey said:
Matt.. said:
- What is generally the markup of a car at a main dealer over another normal used car dealer?
- If buying with no finance, what's the standard payment method?
- How quickly can i purchase? (can i drive away same day? or is it more normal to pickup later?)
- How does insurance work?
The mark up will depend on what they paid for the car. If it's one they've taken in as a P/X then maybe more than one they have bought in from an auction.- If buying with no finance, what's the standard payment method?
- How quickly can i purchase? (can i drive away same day? or is it more normal to pickup later?)
- How does insurance work?
I've always used a debit card. Dealers don't like cash.
You can sometimes drive away that day. Typically not though as the car will need taxing & maybe a valet or whatever.
You can normally get insurance from a dealer - sometimes free for 7 days - to allow you to drive away if you don't already have insurance. If you do already have it, a phone call to your insurance company will sort it.
Checked car over
Test drive
Checked car again
Struck a deal
Dealer taxed it and supplied 5 days complimentary insurance
Handed over cash and drove home
Matt.. said:
Annoyingly the car looks perfect, but the dealer does not. So not even sure i should go and check it after reading some dealer reviews online! 
Don't do it then. With common cars, it's usually more about the dealer than the vehicle. If there's a problem, it'll be the dealer you look to to fix it; if you don't like the cut of his jib now, what hope when it's going to cost him money.There are loads of second-hand cars out there. Go and buy one from someone you trust.
There aren't that many around. Some of my other options are ~3hr drives away, so if I got one of those it's not like I'd be using the dealer again!
If I buy from a VW dealer, is the warranty you get usable at any other dealer?
With used cars, does the dealer really matter at all (after purchase)?
If I buy from a VW dealer, is the warranty you get usable at any other dealer?
With used cars, does the dealer really matter at all (after purchase)?
Edited by Matt.. on Friday 22 November 19:16
HPI Check !!!!!!!
Seriously. My Dad once bought a car, without doing a HPI on it, that had Lease on it. Luckily, we got the chap to sort it out, but from then on we have ALWAYS done a HPI check - regardless if purchasing from Dodgy Dave round the corner, or a BMW dealer.
A lot of dealer cars will have "finance" on them - This is usually stocking finance (many dealers buy and sell stock on borrowed money, so that they don't have their own money stuck there - not quite sure how it works, but thats another story). Make sure that this finance gets "released" from the car once you buy it, otherwise you could potentially land up with a headache later on.
Sunny
Save yourself £1000s and buy one from BCA. Why line a dealers pockets for a dodgy warranty?
Lots of quality ex lease and contract hire 1 owner FSH cars around. The finance repossessions are often the best.
All are hpi clear and many benefits like mechanical report etc.
Nows a good time to buy as well......
Lots of quality ex lease and contract hire 1 owner FSH cars around. The finance repossessions are often the best.
All are hpi clear and many benefits like mechanical report etc.
Nows a good time to buy as well......
I am not going to see the one i was going to see today after seeing the couple of reviews online. Really annoying, as it looks perfect.
There are a few with VW dealers the other side of London, so i'm going to phone them and ask a few questions and see if there's a deal to be had.
I want to sort this in the next few weeks so i can get back to house buying!
There are a few with VW dealers the other side of London, so i'm going to phone them and ask a few questions and see if there's a deal to be had.
I want to sort this in the next few weeks so i can get back to house buying!
av185 said:
Save yourself £1000s and buy one from BCA. Why line a dealers pockets for a dodgy warranty?
Lots of quality ex lease and contract hire 1 owner FSH cars around. The finance repossessions are often the best.
All are hpi clear and many benefits like mechanical report etc.
Nows a good time to buy as well......
sorry mate but that's rubbush < i'm trade and the auction is the worst place a newbie can buy a carLots of quality ex lease and contract hire 1 owner FSH cars around. The finance repossessions are often the best.
All are hpi clear and many benefits like mechanical report etc.
Nows a good time to buy as well......
av185 said:
Save yourself £1000s and buy one from BCA. Why line a dealers pockets for a dodgy warranty?
Lots of quality ex lease and contract hire 1 owner FSH cars around. The finance repossessions are often the best.
All are hpi clear and many benefits like mechanical report etc.
Nows a good time to buy as well......
Lots of quality ex lease and contract hire 1 owner FSH cars around. The finance repossessions are often the best.
All are hpi clear and many benefits like mechanical report etc.
Nows a good time to buy as well......
The chap doesn't know how to buy a car from a dealer and you suggest he goes to auction!
Matt.. said:
markmullen said:
The chap doesn't know how to buy a car from a dealer and you suggest he goes to auction!
We all have to start somewhere, but i'm not starting at an auction!Matt.. said:
This is maybe a slightly silly thread on this forum, but i thought i'd ask anyway.
Don't worry, it would be sillier just chancing your arm and it going wrong, I don't think anyone minds a genuine question like that.Matt.. said:
- What is generally the markup of a car at a main dealer over another normal used car dealer?
It will vary, some independents will be close to main dealer prices, others much cheaper, look at the package as a whole, what preparation (service, MOT, checks etc) and warranty are offered and evaluate its value to you rather than just looking at the headline price.Matt.. said:
- If buying with no finance, what's the standard payment method?
Debit card or bank transfer. BT is easiest as it is done and in place when you go to collect the car, debit card transactions for large balances can often mean ringing India for authorisation. I once had to put a customer up in a hotel overnight, he came to collect a Gallardo and put the balance on his debit card and his bank's authorisation system was down, we couldn't get it authorised till the next day. Instead he came and had a meal and a drink with us and we sorted it the next day.Matt.. said:
- How quickly can i purchase? (can i drive away same day? or is it more normal to pickup later?)
It depends on the seller, some have their cars prepared and ready to roll straight away (usually the big supermarkets) whereas others will need a few days to prepare, MOT and valet the car.Matt.. said:
- How does insurance work?
If the car is already taxed you'll usually not need proof. If it needs taxing you'll need a cover note or certificate, many dealers offer free 7 days cover which can be arranged instantly, it works well as the dealer doesn't have to wait for your insurer to pull their finger out, the customer gets his car without delay and the insurer gets a list of hot prospects and their car details.Shout up if you need any more help, there are plenty of us from the trade on here and we're usually happy to help.
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