Haggling when buying a second hand car

[Bubbles456]

AIBU to think that haggling when buying a second hand car is still 'a thing'?

DH and I are starting to look at buying a second hand car, fairly recent model and most likely a Kia or VW. But a small, run of the mill, basic model and nothing fancy or unusual. Prices seem high to my limited knowledge - starting from about 11 or 12k.

Tell me dear MN, should we be haggling? And what are your failsafe techniques? I just don't want to pay more than we have to!

Haggle away

Prices seem high to my limited knowledge

What do you mean? High compared to other cars of the same make, model and condition? Or just that used car prices are high in general?

Due to the internet making it so easy to search for cars dealers now have to ensure their prices are competitive so rarely will they overprice their stock.

Sorry yes that prices generally seem high for a second hand car. I wondered if this might mean there's more room to haggle.

Prices are high and have been for the last year or so. Yes haggle, but a better known garage will not budge. Smaller garages may throw in things like new tyres, service, MOT etc. Private sellers may budge.

Haggling, or more accurately negotiating is and always has been a thing. Today you can see the opening price of almost every car on sale in the country, so can the dealer. You know if the car in question is expensive compared to the next best option, so does the dealer. Only you know how much your time is worth to find out if the next best option really is better.

Are you planning to buy from a major dealer, a small dealer or private seller. Just be wary if they drop the price significantly particularly if it is a private seller as it is normally sold as bought as seen. The demand for second hand cars has skyrocketed over the last year or two so prices have equally increased significantly.

Sorry yes that prices generally seem high for a second hand car. I wondered if this might mean there's more room to haggle

Prices got inflated during Covid due to the semiconductor shortage slowing the build of new cars. Supply has not fully caught up so prices have remained high.

If you say that you think the price is high without any reasoning they will politely tell you to foxtrot oscar.

You need to demonstrate that the car you are looking at is overpriced to other cars of the same age, mileage and condition.