When buying a car do you haggle the price?

[macnab]

Just wondering, if you're buying a second-hand car from a dealership (no trade in, cash purchase) do you haggle on the price? Or is that not the done thing?

I would. Private sales too. I'm rubbish at it though. DH is really good.

I think you need to start with an offer that's a bit lower than you want to pay and then meet in the middle.

Always always always haggle! Regardless of how you're paying or whether you're trading in, whether it's new or second hand - ALWAYS HAGGLE :)

I have spent years working at a dealership. There's lot of wriggle room in the price so worth haggling. Even if they don't budge on the price they might throw in some extras, etc.

My mum haggles in everything. She went into a bed shop last week to buy a brand new bed and mattress and managed to get them to take £150 off the price. I wouldn't have even considered trying to haggle when buying a bed!

So always worth trying.

Oh good, thanks! I actually don't mind chancing my arm but wasn't sure how it would go down in a car dealership. But if they're used to it then I'm definitely going to try and get a few pounds off

@hersandhis could you give us some tips on how to haggle, what sort of percentage to start off trying to knock off? I always feel like I don't have a clue and end up caving in with a couple of quid off!
I'd love to know if for example what sort of wriggle room there is on a £35,000 second hand car vs a £10,000 second hand car?

Haggle. Check motor point online and see what they charge - they are usually the cheapest but if you can’t get to one it lets you know your aimed for ballpark. You won’t get as cheap else where. Years ago you’d buy a glasses guide at the newsagents.

Big discounts are on offer. Don’t be afraid to walk away they will call you up the next week as their manager will have “changed his mind” about what they can accept. Shop at the end of the month as they will be trying to make targets. If you feel you have gotten as low as you am get them ask for mats and a tank of Petrol.

Never tell them how much you have to spend.

Actually a lot of decent dealerships wont haggle anymore. It's worth asking if there's any negotiation on the price but margins are very tight to keep turnover high.

Yes, at the very least ask what their best offer is. I don't think we've ever paid the full asking price for a car.

Always.

I did

Got a couple of pieces of interior trim replaced and a free parcel shelf, an increase on what they would pay for the car I was trading in and a reduction in interest rate on the finance I was taking out - prob worth about £1K in total

Husband was impressed, I am still not sure if I could have got more ...?

(Large dealership - not a small independent)