When buying a second hand car, what price should you pay?

Question

No buyer expects to pay the full asking price, and no seller expects to sell for the full asking price.

But what percentage should you knock off? Where should you start when offering first?

Is the percentage different for a private seller to a garage forecourt? or is it just the starting price which is different?

(Just for your info, im thinking about this as im looking at buying a car which is advertised on a forecourt at £4k)

Answer 1

if you look up auto trader . com they have a pricing guide were you type in the make model year and other such relevant info, and they come up with a price for you its great

Answer 2

For both private and trade sellers there aren't the margins there to knock big money off now. Look at what the same or similar car locally is selling for in other garages and work out where to go from there. If you came in at say £3600 which is 10% off and take it from there, perhaps get a fresh MOT put on it or maybe a couple of tyres if they are low.

If you bid in too low, I tend to then put the buyer down as a dreamer and dont really bother much with them.

Private sellers are even more tricky, again look at what its going for elsewhere in private sales. But again bid in too low and you'll likely get a door slammed in your face.

Answer 3

If buying from a garage forecourt, £4k, try knocking him down about £500 when paying cash.

Make sure you have the cash on you, and he'll probably take your hand off.
If there not prepared to accept it, ask what they wants for it, cash there and then, make sure there gonna sell it with 12months MOT n 6 months road tax. And a minimum of 3 months warranty before handing over the cash...

Answer 4

Do your homework first, find out the market value of the car you're interested in. The best way to do this is using Glass's consumer values (a google search will give their website), but they charge £3.50 here. I got round this by using the Peugeot website, where you can get a free valuation for a used car.

Get a printout of this value. If the seller is asking much more, he is trying to rip you off. Be calm and reasonable, and offer just below market value. If he won't budge, show him the report and ask him to justify the price. If he still won't budge, walk away.

Answer 5

must be different around the world....in the USA you can't haggle too much off the listed price as the listed price is already set low to be lower than the competition down the road.

Answer 6

Try offering £3500 to start with. Your dealer wont take that (if he does id be suspicious) and work from there

Answer 7

You will get a right good car for £600.

Answer 8

IF ITS A CASH DEAL THEN YOU COULD BE LOOKING AT A PRICE OF £3.500 AND THEN HAGGLE FOR ROAD TAX ASWELL