Buying car from garage - TOP TIPS please?

[savyusername]

What are your tips for going to buy a car from a garage?

I have an old car barely worth £1k to trade in.

Do I take a few cars for a test drive and then decide which one I want?

At what point do you haggle? What's the best approach to haggle?

It's a cash purchase does that make any difference?

I'm buying second hand but a few years old.

Thanks

Take someone with you who knows what they're doing.

I don't have anyone like that! Any other tips? What kind of percentage realistically can I expect to haggle at say it's £10k could I offer £8k?

@savyusername

I don't have anyone like that! Any other tips? What kind of percentage realistically can I expect to haggle at say it's £10k could I offer £8k?

2nd hand prices are still very high, i doubt you'd get anything much off, ask for extended warranty (make sure it covers the clutch) and free service inclusive in price. Google the garages reviews and the warranty offered, go on a vehicle forum as well for common and expensive problems, you can also ask about a specific garage if its one that deals in that make, others may have had experience of it.

If you wish to haggle buy privately but if you know nothing about cars & don't know anyone who does, then that can be be v risky.

Dh and I used to go to car auctions and buy a car for fun. We'd keep it 6 months, sell it on for a profit and get another from the car auctions. Only once got a dud.

Much less of a fairground ride at a showroom than auctions!

So look at the number plate and if it is original back and front, unlikely to have been in serious accident. Car showrooms though stick their own plates on so not always useful.
Look at all the windows and the numbers etched there must all match, otherwise it could have had a side impact.
Look at the car in daylight for colour variations as that indicates accident repair.
Check the paperwork for number if owners. More than one in a newish car indicates a lemon.

Check mileage on the clock, but make sure there is no excessive wear on the pedals indicating clocking. (Less likely nowadays I think)

If you are going to a reputable dealership that offers warranty's you won't have much to worry about as they do all these checks if they buy at auctions, but many are just traded in cars which are thoroughly checked and the owner is a known quantity.

A car that's a couple of years old is usually a good bet.

I also don't haggle at a car dealership if it's a big one like Toyota, as they don't want to know. A smaller private one may make a small concession.

Check the prices in Glass's guide or other ones (forgot name) to ensure they are correct. They will give you a dealership and a private sale price so you should get a fair idea if it's a fair price.

Obviously test drive!

1. Decide what model car most fits your requirements before going to the garage.

1. Google [make] [model] buyers guide and read all the points to look out for.

1. Go to the garages and look at the cars on offer.

1. Using your new found knowledge from the buyers guides, look at the points of interest. Also check what brand of tyres are on the car. Cheap Chinese brands = previous owner didn't give a shit about maintenance.

1. Check the mot history of the car. Regular advisories/fails on easy fix things like tyres, lights and brakes also mean lack of maintenance. Any advisories on major items, could become big bills in the near future.

1. You can try haggling on the price, but used prices are at an all time high and don't seem to be dropping any time soon.

1. Your car is probably worth more than you think.

@savyusername

I don't have anyone like that! Any other tips? What kind of percentage realistically can I expect to haggle at say it's £10k could I offer £8k?

Hahahaha. If you've got £8k, look at cars that are £8k, unless you want a response of "That's a great deposit, how long do you want to finance the remainder over?"

If you don't know what you want go to somewhere like the car supermarket in Slough, they have lots if ex lease cars so you can see lots of different sorts in one time. Do look at boot space, driver position or anything else that meets your needs. When you know what you want go away and Google to find prices, dealerships and potential issues with the car. Then fund one you like, from a dealership or garage and test drive before buying. Car prices are high so don't expect a discount. Do make sure your car for trade in is tidy and has all the paperwork.

I was in this position earlier this year, I was very nervous, as I had never bought a car on my own before and when my husband was alive, he was very good at spotting a bargain! For my own peace of mind, I decided to go for a dealership which did 12 month guaranteed second hand, I gave myself a limit of 4 years old or less and less than 30k mileage, and a price limit of £11k. I also decided to trade in my old vehicle regardless of how little they offered as I could not face trying to sell privately. I did all this and am happy with the result, so I would advise you to decide your parameters from the start and see what turns up.