| When purchasing a new car there are a number of | | | | able to strike a harder bargain on such an old model |
| factors that should affect your thinking. After your | | | | in February/August. |
| house, a new car (fresh off the forecourt or second | | | | The economic downturn will also be of benefit to |
| hand) is probably the most expensive object you will | | | | you. As business falls car dealers will be more |
| ever buy. As such you should approach the project | | | | interested in hitting sales target via quantity rather |
| with, if not military precision, then with at least a | | | | than quality. If the dealership will not sell, below, say, |
| systematic approach. | | | | £10000; offer to walk away from anything |
| First of all you must set out clearly what your budget | | | | more than £9500. it is £500 to you and |
| is and how it is divided. Do you have a large deposit | | | | affordable to the dealership. |
| to offset against the cost of a repayment plan? An | | | | Private buying and auctions are simpler - you turn up |
| extra £3000 put down at the start will reduce | | | | with a set amount of cash and buy the car you |
| the cost of the financing if not the initial cost of the | | | | want. The danger in any private contract is the |
| car. Another important aspect of your budget will be | | | | quality of the car you intend to purchase. A gleaming |
| your current car (assuming you have one). Do you | | | | coat is not a guarantee of a well looked after motor. |
| want to keep it as back up or a second car, or do | | | | You must remember that in these situations "You are |
| you want to trade it in/sell to alleviate the cost of | | | | the buyer". If you don't want to part with your cash, |
| the new purchase. | | | | you do not have to. Do not be afraid to ask |
| In the circumstance of buying from a forecourt or | | | | awkward questions either. Ask for the logbook and |
| reputed dealer you may get more money off the | | | | full service history. Ask if it has had any work done |
| purchase price of the new car than you would if | | | | to it - indeed if you can have something signed to |
| selling for cash on the open market. Obviously if you | | | | this affect it will help you later if the car does in fact |
| are buying from a private seller your only effective | | | | have defects. |
| options are a cash sale or auction. | | | | Also, realise your weaknesses. If you know |
| Having set your budget and repayment options | | | | absolutely nothing about cars find someone who |
| (amount and length) you now have to decide what | | | | does -a friend, work colleague etc, to accompany |
| you want to buy. New or second hand? Private seller, | | | | you when inspecting a motor. A good seller will let |
| auction or dealer? Certainly the easiest route is the | | | | you drive the car - take your associate with you, |
| reputed car dealership. They have statutory | | | | too. Check the milometer - a normal car does about |
| obligations to meet for any contractual sale. On the | | | | 10,000 miles per year - if it has done much more |
| flip side there will also be a corporate push to | | | | than this it may have had an alternate history to the |
| maximize the profit from any sale. In the same way | | | | one advertised by the seller. |
| electrical goods manufacturers will push the warranty | | | | There are various websites that can advise you |
| purchase - so car salesmen will attempt to increase | | | | what to look for when buying a new/second hand - |
| the value of any purchase you may make. | | | | google the standard and reliable ones -the AA, RAC, |
| Here then is the second important note: decide what | | | | What car? Etc. These will help you outline the criteria |
| you want and do not let the dealership change your | | | | for purchase. |
| mind. If you want a people carrier and are not | | | | Overall I would suggest - ultimately - that you go on |
| concerned about extras don't let the sales rep talk | | | | your gut feeling. If you think something is wrong do |
| you into an upgrade. If you are not too choosy | | | | not buy. If something looks as though it is too good |
| about what model you purchase you can make | | | | to be true - it probably is. A final point of reminder |
| further savings on an out-of-date or older model. | | | | nowadays is the paperwork. The DVLA have |
| Towards the end of year number plates (even now | | | | accurate ownership records and you must be sure |
| with the new number plates there is a car sales | | | | that the seller legally owns the car and is legally |
| surge in March and September). Motor companies will | | | | entitled to sell it. |
| be anxious to clear their stocks of old models to | | | | In summary: do your homework and stick to your |
| show off their latest product. The keen buyer will be | | | | guns. |