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The
Right Way To Buy a Car
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by:
Jason Hulott
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Your
no-nonsense guide to getting the right car at the right price.
Buying a car can be quite daunting. With so many makes, models and
finance options available and other decisions, it can be difficult to
find the deal that leaves you 100% happy.
However, the following pointers should help you make an educated
decision when buying a new or used car.
Where to buy?
There are number of ways to buy a new or used car – a car dealership
isn’t your only option. For example, there are independent dealers,
importers, brokers, auction, online, car supermarkets or privately.
Here we weigh up the pros and cons of each of them:
Car and Independent Dealers
Using a dealer to buy your new or used car can be convenient as you can
have a test drive and the salesman should be more versed in the car
details as compared to say buying a car from a broker, or by buying a
car online.
Dealers will offer deals such as free insurance or low-rate finance.
January – traditionally a very slow month for car dealers who offer
extra specials incentives to try and get your custom - is also a time
where you may be able to snap up a bargain.
Most new cars come with a two or three warranty (most with breakdown
cover included as well for the same period).
If you have a car to part exchange, the car dealer will normally take
it as part of a deposit, which means it is off your hands without the
hassle of trying to sell it privately. However, do bear in mind that
you will not get full the market value for it.
However, the downside of buying from a car dealership is that their
prices can be higher than elsewhere as they need to cover the cost of
the showroom and staff.
And, if there aren’t any finance incentives at the dealership, choosing
their finance scheme will be, in most cases, expensive.
Importers
If you a buy a car in from Europe, you do stand to save money, though
in some cases, UK deals are increasingly competitive. Lower prices over
here and exchange rate fluctuations mean imports aren’t quite the
outstanding bargains they used to be.
Brokers
A broker is an intermediary who negotiates with a dealer on your behalf
to get you a cut-price car. Car brokers use their bulk –buying power to
secure discounts which they then pass on to the customer (after they’ve
taken their cut of course!)
Auction
You can be sure of snapping up a bargain if you buy at auction, but it
is best if you visit a few auctions before taking the plunge. Visit and
learn the ropes or take a knowledgeable friend. With Auctions, you will
get more legal protection at an auction than buying privately.
Car Supermarkets
Car Supermarkets offer a huge choice at competitive prices. However,
there is little room for negotiation and you may get a low bid for your
part-exchange and limited pre-sales checks.
Some car supermarkets also charge you extra for a warranty (if the
maker’s cover has expired), a history check and road tax.
Online
This process is all carried out online. You can visit a manufacturer’s
website or a specialist online car broker such as JamJar. Everything
can be completed online - finding and choosing of the car, the
specification options, finance options, delivery details, and, in some
cases even part exchanges.
The disadvantage to this service that you can not test drive the car.
Privately
Buying privately is a risky way to get a car as you have very little
legal protection should anything go wrong. Many dealers masquerade as
private sellers to duck their legal responsibilities, so always check
that the log book details match up.
Always take someone who knows about cars along with you and always view
any private car in broad daylight when any dinks, dents and damage are
visible!
Financing your new car
Once you’ve decided where to buy your next car, you need to think about
finance.
Very few of us buy a car with cash, and borrowing money is the only
option. However, there are so many different types of finance to choose
from, it can be difficult knowing which is the right one for you.
Hire Purchase (HP)
HP is where a deposit is followed by regular monthly repayment.
However, the car is owned by the finance company until the loan is
repaid. So, if you fail to maintain the finance payments you could lose
the vehicle.
Hire Purchase is fairly easy to obtain and widely available, and with
it you also get additional protection under the Consumer Credit Act
Personal Loan (as opposed to Manufacturer’s finance)
A personal loan is probably the cheapest way to buy a new or used car
as personal loan providers tend to offer lower interest rates than
traditional other car financing methods. Also, as you are classed as a
‘cash purchaser’ (because you already have the finance in place) you
are in a strong position to negotiate a good deal.
As the loan will not be secured on the vehicle, the car is owned
outright by you.
Manufacturers schemes
These are offered by manufacturers, dealers, finance companies and some
banks for the purchase of new or nearly new cars.
More often than not, you will be paying interest at a higher interest
rate than that offered on a personal loan.
With manufacturers schemes, you can part exchange your own vehicle and
may also need to make a deposit. You will then have a finance agreement
for the remainder of the cost of the vehicle. As with HP, if you do
fail to keep up the repayments on the vehicle, it may be repossessed.
Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)
PCP schemes available from car dealers as well as banks. You pay a
small deposit and a set amount of monthly payments. When the contract
ends, you have three options:
• you can hand the car back and owe nothing,
• you can pay the balance (which, in any contract you sign, will be
stated as the Minimum Guaranteed Future Value) and keep the car,
• you can trade it in for another, and begin a new PCP.
PCPs are best for people who like a new car every two or three years.
If you are looking to keep a car long term, then personal or
hire-purchase loans will be cheaper.
By now you should have a good idea of where to buy your car from and
how to finance your purchase. Here are…
Ten top tips on what to do when buying …
…. from a car dealer or broker
• Do your research first – get a good idea of what car you want and how
much you are prepared for pay for it and stick to the price
• When the salesman asks you what your budget is, always come in at
least £500 under what you are really prepared to pay. Salesmen will
always add £500 on top of your budget because by the time you are
sitting down and talking about figures with him or her, it is obvious
you really want the car and will find a way to finance the ‘extra’ £500
• If you are part exchanging your vehicle, check out it’s value
somewhere like Parkers Price guide. While you will never get 100%
market value on your p/x from a dealer, at least you have a rough
figure as to what it should be.
• Always be confident, polite, but firm. You are likely to get a better
deal if you come across as someone who won’t be messed about with!
• Consider buying an ex-demo. These are normally no older than three
months’ old, but you can expect to get up to 15% off the new price!
….. privately
• Always take someone with you to give a second opinion – two pairs of
eyes are better than one and go during broad daylight so that any
scrapes or dents will show up
• Always meet the seller at their house so you can check they are
genuine and that all documentation tallies up
• Test drive the car and listen out for any noises, as well to check
that there are no ‘blind spots’ and that the car feels comfortable
• If you feel the car is right for you, arrange to have an independent
survey carried out by one of the motoring organisations. This will
highlight any flaws or potential problems.
• Always be confident, polite, but firm. You are likely to get a better
deal if you come across as someone who won’t be messed about with!
About the Author
Motor
Car Loans an automotive resource guide for those looking to
buy, insure , sell or in fact do all most anything with a car. Sign up
to our free car insurance course, send an email to
motorcarloans@getresponse.com
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