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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to buy a brand new car

20 replies

bluetongue · 03/12/2016 07:43

My current car is nearly dead. It's twenty years old and the only car I've ever owned. I'd like to buy something much more current to replace it. Common sense says buy something at least a couple of years old that's already had a fair whack of depreciation. The problem is buying a second hand car fills me with dread. I can afford a loan for a new car, it will have a warranty for a number of years and I won't have to worry about its history. Plus, shiny new car Grin

Help me out car buying experts.

OP posts:
Scooby20 · 03/12/2016 07:47

I wouldn't buy a new car again. Our last one lasted 3 years and then had an electrical problem that cost a fortune. It depreciated a lot and cost a fortune.

I only get cars that are a few years old now but buy from a reputable dealer. Mum and dad always have good service at car people. I haven't used them but they are a nationwide one I think. I always get mine from a local garage. They have always been great.

MrsPeelyWally · 03/12/2016 07:53

I only ever have a new car and I never experience trouble with them.

Should you buy a new one? I would say yes for the sheer pleasure of it.

PurpleMcPants · 03/12/2016 07:59

What about a nearly new one? Last one I bought was an ex-demo which had about 6000 miles on the clock and was 6 months old or so. Much cheaper than new but still had warranty etc

Etihad · 03/12/2016 08:03

Quite a lot of dealerships have 'pre-registered' cars. Basically they buy a load of new cars, put number plates on and keep them for a bit (presumably to boost their figures) Then they sell them to customers

Costacoffeeplease · 03/12/2016 08:03

An ex demo is probably going to be a better bet - but I got a brand new car in June, and it's lovely (not-helpful face Smile)

Etihad · 03/12/2016 08:03

With just a few miles on the clock, but several thousand pounds cheaper in some cases. You get the rest of the warranty etc

Original poster
bluetongue · 03/12/2016 08:10

Ex demo is a good idea. I'll kerp that in mind.

A new or nearly new car is going to much safer than my old dinosaur so that's a good, sensible reason to buy one Smile

OP posts:
HelenF350 · 03/12/2016 08:12

I got a pre reg last time. Such a bargain, was cheaper than buying some one/two year old cars.

pigsDOfly · 03/12/2016 08:13

Agree with Scooby. I used to always buy new cars, and while it's lovely to have for a shinny new car for a while they very soon begin to look lived in. And the immediate depreciation is horrific.

I bough a three and half year old car back in the summer from a large dealer. It cost me just over £6000, I have a years warranty and the one little niggle I had - thought it was an oil leak but it wasn't, was actually nothing - was dealt with straight away. I'm really happy with it.

My previous car, brand new, and a hell of a lot more expensive than my current car, was also bought from a large dealer, different make, different dealer, but I had nothing but trouble with it from the beginning - engine would cut out suddenly, very scary on a dual carriageway - I seemed to practically live at the dealership, had it looked at by their head office, they refuse to admit that there was anything wrong with it and so I was stuck with it.

The problem did seem to lessen over the years and I did keep it for a number of years but only because I couldn't afford to change it.

I realise my experience is probably not typical, but my point is, buying a new car doesn't necessarily guarantee perfection. I hated that car and it's definitely put me off buying a brand new car again.

I

OublietteBravo · 03/12/2016 08:13

I bought a'pre registered' car in September. It had done 15 miles and had 2.75 of the 3 year warranty left. Plus it was considerably cheaper than the equivalent 'new' new car.

If I'd needed finance from the dealership, then the interest rate was worse than for a 'new' new car (I didn't).

babyblabber · 03/12/2016 08:18

Don't go for ex demo, go for pre-reg.

My first car was ex-demo and it was brilliant for about 3 years and then needing serious amounts of work, one job cost nearly £1000 and I asked the mechanic, he said get rid of it as it would only get worse.

FlibbertigibbetArmadillo · 03/12/2016 08:30

My mum once got an ex motability car (automatic) that was about 4 years old but had done less than 6000 miles and had just the one owner. Much cheaper than new and still had 2 years left on the warranty. Always worth looking.

HerestoyouMrsRobinson · 03/12/2016 08:35

I got a pre-reg Dachia, it's great!

ghostyslovesheets · 03/12/2016 08:37

I've had new cars for the past few years - lovely to have that reassurance but you do suffer with depreciation

Salmotrutta · 03/12/2016 08:40

I echo those saying get a pre-registered - much cheaper but still "new"!

BarbaraofSeville · 03/12/2016 08:40

Have a look at www.carwow.co.uk, pcp or leasing. I have a pcp on a Skoda citigo for £130 pm interest free and it includes free servicing and breakdown cover. Tax is £20 per year and the only other costs are fuel and insurance. I didn't pay a deposit. If you can manage with a small car, it really can be quite economical, when you consider there are no repairs, servicing or Mot costs and I don't have any money tied up in the car to lose on depreciation, I'm just paying a monthly fee for its use.

topcat2014 · 03/12/2016 08:41

I have a Dacia - bought brand new. In my case I got the 'top of the range' for £11k, but they start from £6k. Massive boot (Passat sized) and 30k miles done so far.

I also have a Skoda - now ten years old, and 100k trouble free miles from new.

GazingAtStars · 03/12/2016 08:47

I'd you're planning to keep it for a long time then the depreciation doesn't matter really. My car is still going I bought my brand new car 6 years ago and still glad I bought it. I would probably look for a pre reg or ex demo next time, nearly new but cheaper

wasonthelist · 03/12/2016 08:48

A lot of new cars are cleverly engineered to be ok for the 3 year warranty period - as you can see from tales on here of what happens after 3 years. A lot depends if you are keeping it for another 20 years. I know a lot of people who are doing 2/3 year leases now so they never get older than that.

With that said I am still driving a 16 year old car (I haven't had it from new) as I can't justify the cost of a new one. Keeping old cars going is environmentally sound as most of the emissions come from the initial manufacturing, not the exhaust pipe

applesandpears86 · 03/12/2016 10:53

Is it on a finance loan or a pcp deal?

I always used to buy new cars on pcp deals because of the warranty and no MOT. However on my last car I ended up losing £3500. The car depreciated very quickly, the dealer had engineered a deal with low monthly payments but a high guaranteed price for the car. As I went over the mileage limit they wouldn't give me this value and I ended up £3500 out of pocket. The car also had a persistent engine fault and ended up in the garage on numerous occasions to which I was told various solutions; most of which were charged to me (not covered under the warranty) and made no difference. Just after I sold the car I received a recall notice because the engine problem had just been discovered.

Now I've bought a 1 year old car using a loan from the bank which still has a low mileage, 4 years warranty and free servicing and a low interest rate. Worth considering in my opinion. New cars are great but after a few thousand you will forget they are new.

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