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8. “Why does the car I want end up more than the price advertised?” – like most advertisers we have to show the basic price we can get that car on the road for without any extras. As we have no idea, from customer to customer, what paint options and extras each enquirer will want, we price the car in solid paint, with no extras, but including everything to get you ‘on the road’ (plates, VAT, 1st registration fee, 6mths tax). It is quick and easy for us to then add any paint options or factory extras you have requested to give you a total price for you car. All factory options get discount as well as the car. But you can always drive a car away at the price we advertise if you want a no-cost paint and no other extras.
9. Many customers feel ready-stock is harder to find these days. Well, it is true. Manufacturers cannot afford to keep mountains of built and unsold stock, and neither can dealers. Much more is ‘made to order’ these days, so don’t try and find a VW Golf with 3 extras in a precise colour just 2 weeks before you need it! We can often find the impossible but we cannot work miracles! Think about your car well in advance. Many manufacturers have a ‘low stock’ policy but to compensate they provide incredibly fast build programmes, Renault are usually very quick to allocate a build date to an ordered car, as an example.
What are the Pro’s and Con’s of Pre-Registered Vehicles? (see also the advice on FirstRegisteredOwner.co.uk by clicking here)
10. Check how the car will be registered. If you want to buy a “new” car, ensure you will be the first and only owner named on the registration document. Avoid websites which offer ambiguous wording such as ‘most of our cars will be new, or may be pre-registered’ – you need to know exactly what you are getting. If you are in the market for a pre-registered car, that is fine (we sell a few ourselves if asked for them!) but remember that even if it only has delivery miles on it -but already bearing a registration – it will already be eating into its warranty from the date it was first registered
11. If you buy a pre-registered car, ask “What was its date of registration” and “is it a latest model or a pre-model?”. If you find you are buying a car that has already used 4-6 mths of its warranty and is also an outdated model- is it really such a good buy? What you make on the purchase price you’ll lose again on its re-sale value. If it sounds too good to be true - it probably is!! Also – remember you'll be the second registered owner - this impacts the re-sale value for you too.
12. Ask yourself why it is pre-registered. Dealers do not pre-register cars in high demand. Dealers will pre-register cars to enable them to hit their sales target that month, if they are a few units short – as often that sales bonus overall will be worth them taking the financial ‘hit’ on a handful of cars which they then sell on at a reduced price as ‘nearly new’. They will usually register the least saleable ones – not those where they could get an easier ‘brand new’ price. Often pre-registered stock will be cancelled orders from other customers, so they might be stacked with pricey extras which you don’t actually need, or want.
13. Ensure your broker is willing to give you advice. If they only want to hear from you when you have made your mind up what to buy, they're only interested in your cash. Weigh up the price offered against the leadtime – a 16-week wait may not be cost-effective, on balance.
USING A BROKER
14. Use a broker that allows you to transact with a UK dealer direct – meaning your transaction is safe. A good broker should act as an 'enabler', finding you the right price and the right car. You are in a strong position should anything go wrong if your deposit and balance have been paid direct to the dealer, as that means your contract to purchase is with the franchised dealer themselves. If you have handed money to a third party like a broker or a car supermarket (not a main brand dealer, franchised by the manufacturer to sell that car), then you are in contract with that party – not a dealer. Any subsequent dispute may prove tricky as neither the car dealer supplying the car nor the manufacturer will recognize you as their customer- you have paid your money to a third party.
15. Deal with a 'bricks and mortar' business, a broker with offices and a limited company is serious about their business. DealDrivers is! Our offices are in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, and are open to the public. We do welcome visitors who ask to come and see us. There are, however, many ‘bedroom brokers’ – people operating on a very small scale but with a website run from, often, domestic premises.
16. Choose your own way to finance the car, there's a wide range of high street deals to fund a car purchase. Don't be pushed into a finance deal offered by one of the broker's trading partners.
17. Is your broker up to date on manufacturer specifications and pricing that may affect your order? You should be able to rely on their advice. Have they assured you it is the latest model - or have they warned you if a new facelifted version is soon to be launched?
18. Don't forget, you are the customer. A good broker empowers you to make your own choice, using their advice, their dealer relationships and their negotiating power. Your local servicing centre will always be delighted to receive your aftercare business, but it makes sense to take some independent advice from a broker to help you buy the car at the right price in the first place.
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