Car buying now - only the dregs and lemons left?
Discussion
Considering buying possibly during lockdown but wondering what peoples thoughts or experiences are:
- are dealers using this period to shift any old heap or does the whole distance selling aspect keep them on point
- Is it actually better to buy now if you know what you want because you get that 14 days via distance selling regs or is it actually pretty hard in reality to just return the car and a dealer would do everything possible to make this difficult if for example you say "boots too small" "feels like a rough example" or "Just didn't like it"
Typically I have always paid a deposit then debit carded the remainder on collection day, given the dealer could go kaput between giving them the full amount and delivery, is credit card payment the only way to protect against this
Looking at cars in the £18-25k kind of range if it makes any difference.
Thanks for any advice
- are dealers using this period to shift any old heap or does the whole distance selling aspect keep them on point
- Is it actually better to buy now if you know what you want because you get that 14 days via distance selling regs or is it actually pretty hard in reality to just return the car and a dealer would do everything possible to make this difficult if for example you say "boots too small" "feels like a rough example" or "Just didn't like it"
Typically I have always paid a deposit then debit carded the remainder on collection day, given the dealer could go kaput between giving them the full amount and delivery, is credit card payment the only way to protect against this
Looking at cars in the £18-25k kind of range if it makes any difference.
Thanks for any advice
Personally I wouldn’t buy a used car I had not test drive and seen in the flesh. I realise the distance selling thing but I would imagine this is a hassle, I can’t imagine a dealer making this completely painless for customers.
If you have a decent credit limit or can split between cards, credit card gives you the section 75 protection but I am unsure how this would work with a car purchase.
If you have a decent credit limit or can split between cards, credit card gives you the section 75 protection but I am unsure how this would work with a car purchase.
Even if you pay the deposit using a credit card and the balance by debit card like you have done before, Section 75 protects you for the full amount of the purchase, not just the amount paid on the credit card. This will protect you if the dealer goes kaput after payment and before delivery / collection.
Edited by cuprabob on Saturday 30th January 16:29
It's better to see the car in the flesh, you can get all the haggling done before you buy rather than when the car has turned up & there are small things that need sorting.
Unless you're in a rush wait, on the other side of things there are lots of well looked after used cars out there so don't be too skeptical.
Unless you're in a rush wait, on the other side of things there are lots of well looked after used cars out there so don't be too skeptical.
ZX10R NIN said:
It's better to see the car in the flesh, you can get all the haggling done before you buy rather than when the car has turned up & there are small things that need sorting.
Unless you're in a rush wait, on the other side of things there are lots of well looked after used cars out there so don't be too skeptical.
Not really in a rush, more like I have the money now and am torn between thinking we'll I'm not particularly mechanically knowledgeable so how much difference does seeing it and driving it actually make to my ability to sift out a lemon if I'm buying from a dealer. I suppose it's all the little scuffs and things that a dealer can dress up for photos but unravel in the flesh or not discovering a driving position that turns out to be weird/back braking suspension until it's too late.Unless you're in a rush wait, on the other side of things there are lots of well looked after used cars out there so don't be too skeptical.
Unsure if when lockdown starts to ease prices will jump or will lockdown easing bring a flood of new stock in p/xs and that will keep prices neutral inline with more demand. Considering fairly common things like M140i, Golf R estate, S4 Estate, 340i.
There won't be a rise or fall in price, no dealers are waiting for lockdown to end before putting their cars on the market but there may be a few private sellers who are waiting to put their cars up for sale.
If you see something you really like the look of get the dealer to do a face face time walkaround of the vehicle you can them get them to focus in on any areas you're unsure of.
If you see something you really like the look of get the dealer to do a face face time walkaround of the vehicle you can them get them to focus in on any areas you're unsure of.
cuprabob said:
Even if you pay the deposit using a credit card and the balance by debit card like you have done before, Section 75 protects you for the full amount of the purchase, not just the amount paid on the credit card. This will protect you if the dealer goes kaput after payment and before delivery / collection.
'Only' up to £30k, though.Edited by cuprabob on Saturday 30th January 16:29
TarquinMX5 said:
cuprabob said:
Even if you pay the deposit using a credit card and the balance by debit card like you have done before, Section 75 protects you for the full amount of the purchase, not just the amount paid on the credit card. This will protect you if the dealer goes kaput after payment and before delivery / collection.
'Only' up to £30k, though.Edited by cuprabob on Saturday 30th January 16:29
There's two things I've noticed this past few months
1) It's incredibly difficult to come across a car with a nice spec - It's as though no one with any taste are deciding to sell their car at the moment, and what they do they command a premium.
2) Cars have gone up in value - Prices are definitely inflated right now due to lack of supply. I remember looking at V6 F-types for £32k in March 2020, today those same cars with same mileage are £38k.
BMW M2s haven't dropped in 12 months.
And also I looked as a 987 Cayman w/ PDK for £20k, they're now £24k.
1) It's incredibly difficult to come across a car with a nice spec - It's as though no one with any taste are deciding to sell their car at the moment, and what they do they command a premium.
2) Cars have gone up in value - Prices are definitely inflated right now due to lack of supply. I remember looking at V6 F-types for £32k in March 2020, today those same cars with same mileage are £38k.
BMW M2s haven't dropped in 12 months.
And also I looked as a 987 Cayman w/ PDK for £20k, they're now £24k.
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