Ex-demo or pre-reg car...?

r.ellis7688

Hi all,

I've recently got a new job, starting in January, and my company car policy is changing with the new company. Previously I've had a lease car, however now I've been given a budget to buy a car (which will stay owned by the company).

It needs to be either new or basically new (so no worries about MOT's and warranties etc for the company), and just wondering if anyone had any tips on getting either an ex-test drive car or pre-reg car?

Budget-wise I've been told I have up to £18k.

Cheers,

Rich

daveyjp

Just search dealer websites for cars under 12 months old. There are plenty out there, but you need to have an idea of what you want.

I've had Fords, Audis and Mercedes ex demo cars.

oscarward

r.ellis7688 wrote: »

ex-test drive car or pre-reg car?

Pre reg may have sat in fields as the company can't shift them then register them so they can sell them off cheap. However they will have delivery mileage only. Tends to happen with model changes as manufacturers may stock pile prior to changing a production line to a new model and get their sales predictions wrong.

A test drive car can be the garage hack/loan/test drive car.

I tend to buy ex demo vehicles and it can work well but just check who the previous owner was. Sometimes they are car manufacturer own management vehicles (Peugeot spring to mind) and will be well looked after. i.e. No cost to driver to keep it maintained whereas a hack tends to be neglected.

But....

A colleague has just had a test drive in an Evoque and said it was in terrible condition, put him off buying one. Someone will buy that someday!


Have you looked at something like Drive The Deal? for a new vehicle, it can be as cheap as a prereg/demo vehicle but brand new. But works best when no part exchange. worked for me previously.


So you pays your money and takes your choice.

Kilty_2

oscarward wrote: »

Pre reg may have sat in fields as the company can't shift them then register them so they can sell them off cheap.

As can "brand new" cars when the dealer buys loads of them from the manufacturer at once - my brand new Kia Picanto was built in August 2010 and registered in March 2011.

Personally I'd look for the best brand new deal you can find on the likes of Broadspeed or Drive The Deal. Get a class of car in mind (so size, fuel type, etc) and then go for the best deal.

Gloomendoom

oscarward wrote: »

A colleague has just had a test drive in an Evoque and said it was in terrible condition, put him off buying one. Someone will buy that someday!

We test drove a Kia that was similar. It was in a right state. We did buy but not from that dealer... see below.

Have you looked at something like Drive The Deal? for a new vehicle, it can be as cheap as a prereg/demo vehicle but brand new. But works best when no part exchange. worked for me previously.

We bought a brand new car using a reverse auction site. It cost us less than than the best deal we could get on a second hand car.

VfM4meplse

r.ellis7688 wrote: »

It needs to be either new or basically new (so no worries about MOT's and warranties etc for the company), and just wondering if anyone had any tips on getting either an ex-test drive car or pre-reg car?

Budget-wise I've been told I have up to £18k.

Lucky you!

I would go for a Golf 1.6L tdi Bluemotion, you should be able to get a year old model for about £15k or even less if the mileage is above 20k.