Haggling with a motability dealer?

barloo

I had a Mazda5 2.5 years ago and the dealer agreed to fit a tow bar for a £100 less than it would have been to match Fords price. But they wouldn`t even give me an umbrella, which Renault used to do. I have not been that happy with the Mazda and would love to go back to a Scenic, but Renaults advance payments have become exhorbitant. Probably look at Ford and Vauxhall this time.

Thorntonone

just ordered the ford focus got zero advance payment, and i was told i would get a full fuel tank on delivery. also chucking in a set of velour mats {bonus} . it pays to be friendly with the sales person.

pstuart

Just collected a Vauxhall Vectra (what a price!), £100 off the advance payment as well, Ford dealer also offering £100 off on a high spec Focus.

Phone round first - some dealers won't deal - takes all the fun out of it.

Still treated like a second class citizen though, no complementry coffee or bikkies and if anything goes wrong on the spec. (as it did) don't expect the salesman to help out, they make too little money to pretend to be your friend.

TaBunny

Thorntonone wrote: »

just ordered the ford focus got zero advance payment, and i was told i would get a full fuel tank on delivery. also chucking in a set of velour mats {bonus} . it pays to be friendly with the sales person.

All MB cars should come with full tank as standard I'm on my 3rd car and all have had full tank

Thorntonone

All MB cars should come with full tank

the important word here being should , not all do i believe.

cathyp

Our Ford dealer gave us mats, mudflaps and flowers. This was our first car under the scheme and we haggled the trade-in on our own vehicle and managed to get an extra £1k. Sales person very friendly and helpful with all the form filling.
:j

[Deleted User]

I've had 2 ford focus cars on the scheme. Ford dealer has always been v helpful and on hand for any little Q's free coffee and cakes too! 1st class service

Ordered a nissan last wk the staff weren't overly helpful though ie; not calling me back after I called 3 times to check my test drive appt!!! will wait and see how heplful they are during the 3yr contract. Didin't know about the full tank and delivery though, I'll be insisting on that!

Rks0

Simple answer is, yes you can haggle.
Ok, first of all folks, let me just inform you that I am an ex motability specialist, and I used to work for one of the major brands, so I speak with experience. Unless things have changed in the last 8 months, which i doubt, this is how is works.
A typical dealer will make money from a Motability deal in a number of ways- on the actual sale itself to the customer, and also in 'maintenance' fees such as the servicing, warranty, etc. over the three years that you have the car. The sale of the car will also contribute to the dealer achieving it's sales targets, which can also be lucrative.
However, this does not mean that there are thousands of pounds to play with, or indeed that the dealer is willing to play ball.
A dealer will usually recieve a set fee from Motability for the sale, and if the dealership wants your business, they might be willing to eat into that profit to secure your business. Because dealerships are split into seperate departments, the sales department aren't interested in the fact that the service department will get your service work for the next 3 years, so this is not relevant.
The dealership is not obliged under its contract with Motability to give you anything other than the car- mats, fuel, fluffy dice, nothing.
Sometimes, it may be easier to ask for extras rather than money off.
If you get stonewalled, with the standard 'Motability set the prices' response, then, yes this is strictly true, but the dealer makes a profit, and so any extras/discounts can come out of that.
With regards to the issue of Motability customers feeling as if they've been treated as second rate customers, I can only say that this is down to the attitude of the individual salesperson. Please don't tar all with the same brush. If anyone has questions, I would be more than willing to help if possible!

stsr

It can be done.:rotfl: I managed to get a no deposit vectra SRI last month. The dealer was great and more than helpful. Also got £50 M&S Vouchers. My brother is in the same position and he has also been offered a no deposit so the tip is shop around.
FYI I am in Scotland.

Dave

strong96

i'm off to haggle with my local nissan dealer to see if he can match the deals of nissan 50 miles up the road thats got fantastic deals on the quashqui (however its spelt) with nil down or upgrade to the top spec for just 400 down, hopefully they need business and will match it else im going to be driving to collect my next car.