Road tax included in used car purchase?

[IainF]

Interested in your experience of this. I have been talking to one MB dealer about a buying one of their used cars. I would have assumed that at least 6 months road tax would be included in the price as a matter of course, but this doesn't seem to be the case. When I mentioned it, just to make sure, the response was "That would be extra, sir, if you would like us to tax the car for you." I appreciate that it is up to the buyer to haggle but to my mind, trying to squeeze another £269.50 out of someone who is enquiring about a £40k+ car doesn't create a very positive impression.

[anonymous-user]

Hardly the dealer's fault that we have exorbitant taxes, is it? As you say, get the best deal you can, aware of all costs and buy the car if you're happy with it.

Why only tax for 6 months? Don't you expect to keep the car long?

[haggy]

They don't work on huge margins & why should they pay your tax for you to drive on the roads?

[Ari]

I'm sure they'll happily throw it in for free if you pay an extra £269.50 for the car...

[folos]

If you pull out at the last minute they'll have chucked £269 down the drain as they cant cash it in. Besides, they're not in business to give money away.

One time I was insulted by a dealer was when they charged me £2.03 for petrol when buying the car - the station was a mile away so they probably used 50p going there and back!

[anonymous-user]

I've never had or expected road tax to be included in a used car, it's a cost set by the government, not the dealer, they don't benefit from it and charge cost price - in fact it takes them time to tax it!

[idiotgap]

yellowbentines said:

I've never had or expected road tax to be included in a used car, it's a cost set by the government, not the dealer, they don't benefit from it and charge cost price - in fact it takes them time to tax it!

Pretty moot point going forward with the new road tax rules post tax-disc demise, you won't even get remaining tax thrown in with a private sale.