Negoatiating with a dealer on a used car - tips please

rev_henry

Amanda65 wrote: »

Thanks for that - will give it a call tomorrow morning. The dealer seems to have quite few other cars in our price range as well so fingers crossed.

Based on the price quoted - and assuming the car is as described - what do you think a reasonable offer would be ?

That does look pretty good. Check for service history though - the ad is quiet about that.

emmell

That particular clio is cheap because it's on a V car, they will possilbly tell you it was stolen recovered and there was no damage (isn't that the case with them all!).
Read the adverts very carefully and remember buyer beware.
ML.

emmell

What I don't like about that advert it says "we buy all used cars regardless of condition".
ML.

Anihilator

emmell wrote: »

That particular clio is cheap because it's on a V car, they will possilbly tell you it was stolen recovered and there was no damage (isn't that the case with them all!).
Read the adverts very carefully and remember buyer beware.
ML.

A V Car?

Confused....

emmell

Anihilator wrote: »

A V Car?

Confused....

Has at some time in its life been subject to a TOTAL LOSS.
Now if it was recently it could be uneconomical to repair and the damage wasn't too bad. But if it was a few years ago the damage could have been quite significant.
The amount of damage is relevant to the value of the car at the time.
The garage could have bought the car with damage from a breakers yard, fixed it themselves (on the cheap) make it look pretty again and resell it. How does anyone know (unless it's in another accident ) if the air bags have been replaced, and other safety features could be compromised.
It may also flag up on the insurance database as a V car (total loss).
ML.

rev_henry

Haven't seen that term before, well spotted ML. OP I wouldn't even bother looking now, unless its very nearby. That would also explain the lack of history!

mollycat

Hi Amanda,
Had a look through responses to your thread. I cant help that much, i buy in the £200-£500 bracket, and from private sellers, (go in hard and low).

If you need a bit more comprehensive advice on choosing/buying at the right price, why not GOOGLE "tips on buying a seciond hand car".....lots of good sites which will help you.

£1700 should buy you something really decent.

PS...regarding response#7, i Wouldnt buy off ebay unless your really confident about sussing out second hand cars; these cars are usually on ebay for a reason, not always a good one.

Anihilator

It's worth enquiring about a write off and seeing why. If its a cat d or c and has passed an MOT since then with a full inspection it may be quite ok.

You will pay a lot less now but you will get less when you sell it. The trade off is obviously you get a newer more expensive car.

Insurers can write off for very minor reasons.

The pink mats would put me off more tbh

Amanda65

Thanks so much everyone, especially that good spot emmelle about the V car - had never heard that term before. As the garage is about 45 mins drive away will phone and quiz them about it before we go all the way over there.

And Anihilator - the pink mats would be what sells it to my DD, she had identical ones in her Clio :rotfl:

Amanda65

mollycat wrote: »

Hi Amanda,
Had a look through responses to your thread. I cant help that much, i buy in the £200-£500 bracket, and from private sellers, (go in hard and low).

Where do you look for the private sales though - Autotrader etc. all keep coming up with dealers