New car buying tips... / GAP Insurance

Kilty_2

Looks like I'm going to be buying a brand new car very soon - never done so before so have a couple of questions:

1) What do I look for when collecting the car? With used cars you've always given it a good look over before you sign - obviously with a new car you don't get this privilege.....

2) GAP insurance - I know not to buy it from the dealer and to buy online instead - seem to be able to choose from Return To Invoice or Vehicle Replacement Insurance - pros/cons of both? The vehicle will be financed on Personal Contract Purchase if this helps....

cyclonebri1

Kilty wrote: »

Looks like I'm going to be buying a brand new car very soon - never done so before so have a couple of questions:

1) What do I look for when collecting the car? With used cars you've always given it a good look over before you sign - obviously with a new car you don't get this privilege.....

2) GAP insurance - I know not to buy it from the dealer and to buy online instead - seem to be able to choose from Return To Invoice or Vehicle Replacement Insurance - pros/cons of both? The vehicle will be financed on Personal Contract Purchase if this helps....

We had this issue with my D when she bought a brand new Clio 172 (against my advice but hey ho)

It was an import and was stood outside in a rainstorm when we went to collect.
We refused it untill they took it into the workshop and dryed it off for inspection, only then was the final paper work done;);)


Shame on you as an mser for buying a brand new car :D

Hintza

Your insurance should give you a new car if it is written off wothin the first year.

As for collecting the car just do a visual inspection for any dings etc.

Flyboy152

Kilty wrote: »

Looks like I'm going to be buying a brand new car very soon - never done so before so have a couple of questions:

1) What do I look for when collecting the car? With used cars you've always given it a good look over before you sign - obviously with a new car you don't get this privilege.....

You may not before it is delivered to the dealer, but you must always look it over before hand over any money.

Make sure the sales executive is working form a check list.
If he isn't, make your own. Check it has its jack and spare wheel (if the model is supplied with one), make sure it is clean; no smears, dried polish, muddy foot wells etc. No scratches, dents or errant paintwork. Check the oil, water, fluid levels and that all the lights work. Insist that the sales executive gives you a comprehensive and thorough hand over. That he explains all the safety features and requirements of the car. The stereo, the locks and security. The seat configuration and how they are adjusted/removed. Make sure he explains how the lights and indicators work. Ensure that you know how all the special features work, such as, cruise control, climate control/ventilation etc., on-board computer, glove box ventilation/cooling. As well as all of that, make sure that any accessories that have been requested are fitted properly.

When you have completed all of that, ask as many questions as like. There is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to buying cars.

Then it comes to the paperwork, before handing over any money, check the figures. Make sure they are the same as you agreed to when you negotiated with the dealer initially.

2) GAP insurance - I know not to buy it from the dealer and to buy online instead - seem to be able to choose from Return To Invoice or Vehicle Replacement Insurance - pros/cons of both? The vehicle will be financed on Personal Contract Purchase if this helps....

GAP insurance (or its original name of Guaranteed Asset Protection), can be expensive, compared to other types of cover, but could be worth it for the extra couple of hundred pounds. Forget VRI cover, that is what you pay for already in your comprehensive insurance. Back-to-invoice is generally the most comprehensive. If you are using finance, make sure you get settlement cover and BTI combined.

Back-to-invoice, is exactly what it says on the tin. It covers the difference between what your insurance policy pays out and the amount you paid for the car. Settlement cover, pays off any outstanding finance. Vehicle replacement cover pays for another car, similar to the one that you have lost (to a comparable value). But that is what ordinary comprehensive policies do anyway.

Flyboy152

Hintza wrote: »

Your insurance should give you a new car if it is written off wothin the first year.

As for collecting the car just do a visual inspection for any dings etc.

Not all insurance policies provide this cover. Besides most BTI policies cover for three years.

cyclonebri1

Flyboy152 wrote: »

You may not before it is delivered to the dealer, but you must always look it over before hand over any money.


.

You do not hand over any money. But you do sign away your life.

Look, 90% of this is complete when you sign the initial agreement, often before the car is even made. The only lifeline is the visual inspection, be dam sure all is fine;)

Flyboy152

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

You do not hand over any money. But you do sign away your life.

Look, 90% of this is complete when you sign the initial agreement, often before the car is even made. The only lifeline is the visual inspection, be dam sure all is fine;)

:huh:

...........

Kilty_2

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Shame on you as an mser for buying a brand new car :D

:rotfl::D

I'm paying less than some 6 month old ex-hire cars are priced at. (and pre-reg, etc) :cool:

Kilty_2

Reading some of the above more thoroughly - I'll be paying a £100 cash deposit when I order the car (it's in stock, still under wraps in the compound aparrently, but will be registered on March 1st).

Balance will be financed via a PCP deal inc £1000 deposit from my trade in - I've never had car finance before so what's the process? I assume I apply and have approval in principle but don't actually accept the credit agreement until the car's ready to go? (thinking about it this must be the case since the £1000 deposit doesn't exist until the dealer has "bought" my car)

Flyboy152

Kilty wrote: »

Reading some of the above more thoroughly - I'll be paying a £100 cash deposit when I order the car (it's in stock, still under wraps in the compound aparrently, but will be registered on March 1st).

Balance will be financed via a PCP deal inc £1000 deposit from my trade in - I've never had car finance before so what's the process? I assume I apply and have approval in principle but don't actually accept the credit agreement until the car's ready to go? (thinking about it this must be the case since the £1000 deposit doesn't exist until the dealer has "bought" my car)

You will need to insure the car, have your insurance company send the cover note/policy documents direct to the dealer. Some dealers will offer free seven day insurance, if there is a delay getting the cover note/policy documents to them. Some dealers will allow you to choose your registration number, from a limited list. The current system for registering a car is called AFRL and is an automated system, operated direct by the dealer. So there is no more waiting in long queues at the DVLA offices.

Also make sure that you bring all the part-exchange documents etc with you. V55, MOT, service book and manuals, along with any spare keys and stereo codes, accessories and anything else belonging to that car. It is more of a courtesy to the next owner, that they may enjoy your old car as much as you. It can very disappointing to buy a used car with half of the books missing.

As for the finance, bring two forms of identification including your driving licence (both parts; photocard and counterpart) and perhaps a utility bill; these are generally non-negotiable. The sales executive may actually ask you to visit the dealership, a day or two before handover, to complete this part of the paperwork. This will also give you the opportunity to clear up any outstanding queries.

Have you not completed a proposal when you ordered the car? It is usual for the sales executive to already do this at the point of sale. I would immagine that he would have told you by now if you had not been accepted on finance, but it maybe worth a call just to make sure.

Don't ask to see the car before it is ready to be handed over to you, it can be disconcerting to see it in "bits" awaiting its pre-delivery inspection, or waiting to be valeted and there is something to be said about seeing it for the first time, resplendent in all its brand new glory. A bit like seeing someone on your first date, before they are ready to go out.

You might want to consider having the paintwork and upholstery treated with Supagaurd/Diamondwhite/Autoglym etc. Typically a dealer will charge about three hundred pounds (nowhere near the cost), I would suggest negotiating to about one hundred and fifty pounds. It protects the paint work from acidic residues and ultraviolet light. The fabric and upholstery protection is a bit like Scotchgard. We've had it on all our cars and vans and it really is worth the extra we pay. It helps keep the paintwork and upholstery in top condition, making it easier to sell when their time is up. Very often dealers will offer this as a package with the GAP insurance.

Talking of GAP insurance, does the finance not come with any?

One last point, never collect the car after dark. Try to ensure that is either inside or undercover, out of the rain.

Best of luck, there really is no felling like it.

Kilty_2

Order hasn't been placed yet but it will be tomorrow - I was sleeping on it and it was the salesman's day off today

Thanks for the tips - very helpful I've bought used cars a few times before but this is my first spanking new one

As for the paint/upholstery treatment - I have so much stuff in the shed (bit of a clean freak when it comes to my cars ). I know for sure that the car is going after 36 months too so won't be spending a lot of money keeping it in good condition, just enough.