What offer to make on used car?

travel_freak

Hi,

I haven't bought a car for a long while so would appreciate any guidance on what sort of offer I could make on one I've seen.

I've seen a VW Polo, automatic, 3 door. It has a"54" registration number but the dealer says it is an "05 plate" (don't know much about this?!). It has done around 14,000 miles.

I drove it and it seems fine and looks good, clean, no marks etc.

It was originally on sale for £7500, now reduced to £6995.

It doesn't yet need an MOT - it will need one early next year. It will also need one more service with VW to maintain the warranty, which also runs out early next year.

I have an ancient Clio (M reg, 1995, 62,000 miles) to trade in for it.

I'm a bit rubbish at making offers but the dealer seems genuine and without much discussion he just offered me £500 for my car and 6 months road tax on the new one.

He said that if anything went wrong with the car in the first year I could bring it back and they'd sort it. But this seems very vague to me and I guess if I want to rely on this I would need some sort of a formal warranty from him - would this be unreasonable to ask for?

Does this sound about right or should I be trying to knock a bit more off the price? With my car traded in it would make the price I pay around £6,500.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

xycom1

Sounds like a 2005 registered 54 plate. What engine size is the new car? Unless a diesel or big engine, then I feel £7000 is too much but I don't know much about Polos. I would offer £5000-5500 plus your car.

travel_freak

Sorry, yes that info would be useful! It is an ordinary petrol engine, 1.4cc.

Thanks.

TheImportanceOfBeingIdle

I'd offer no more than 6 grand for it. I've seen 06 cars go for less.

dnc1781

Clio:
http://www.wisebuyers.co.uk/motoring/used-car-prices/Renault/Clio+%281991-98%29/
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_search.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=block&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=RENAULT&min_pr=75&source=0&model=CLIO&max_pr=&miles=1500&agerange=4&mileage=6&postcode=w12+7rp&bodyid=0&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&ukcarsearch_full.x=44&ukcarsearch_full.y=10&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

Polo:
http://www.wisebuyers.co.uk/motoring/used-car-prices/Volkswagen/Polo+%282002-05%29/
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_search.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=block&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=VOLKSWAGEN&min_pr=75&source=0&model=POLO&max_pr=&miles=1500&agerange=5&mileage=3&postcode=w12+7rp&bodyid=0&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=2&ukcarsearch_full.x=43&ukcarsearch_full.y=6&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

Emmzi

If it's just a wee runaround you want, you could get a brand new 1.2 Clio off jamjar for £6,750. Just a thought :-)

colin79666

That sounds like a lot you could get a fiat grande punto 06 or 56 plate for that kind of money (manual though).

more_money_for_me

You can get a good idea of value through the Glass's guide https://www.glass.co.uk. It costs £3.50 to do online but could save you quite a bit, especially if you can quote the Glass's price guide to the dealer. Alternatively as above look through the autotrader for a similar vehicle.

more_money_for_me

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2004-04-Volkswagen-Polo-Twist-1-4-Automatic-5-Doors_W0QQitemZ180127114539QQihZ008QQcategoryZ9873QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/0404-Volkswagen-Polo-S-3DR-H-BACK-Automatic_W0QQitemZ220097448262QQihZ012QQcategoryZ9873QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2004-04-Volkswagen-Polo-1-4-16v-TWIST-Automatic_W0QQitemZ160054577807QQihZ006QQcategoryZ9873QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Just found these which are a bit older, but from these the price you have been quoted doesn't seem too far out for this model. These are of course only asking prices, and the dealer definately won't have given you their best price at first asking. Offer £500 less than they are asking if they say no go to leave, if they let you walk it means they really aren't interested, and you can always go back later in the week, what it will do is get them to give their best price, especially if you let them know you are off to compare another similar vehicle after viewing theirs. Remember to get finance quotes before you go to buy, many dealers make more out of the finance than they do out of the sale. Always look at how interest is calculated on loan and get a total repayments figure, sorry if I am telling you how to suck eggs, but is worth saying for those not aware.

travel_freak

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

The "wisebuyers" site is particularly helpful so many thanks for that link as it's not a site I knew about before. I now have a much better idea of the true value of my car and the one I'm thinking about buying.

I'll also check out jamjar for the new Clio you mention but I think it might be that price because it's a manual? Automatics are so much more expensive but I foolishly took my test on automatic only many, many moons ago so can only drive one of these and to be honest think I'd be too lazy now to try to drive a manual!

The ebay links were useful too and as you say these prices for cars which are slightly older than the one I looked at make it seem like quite a fair price.

Many thanks once again - I can't wait to have a more reliable car soon...

Regards,

Emmzi

travel_freak wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'll also check out jamjar for the new Clio you mention but I think it might be that price because it's a manual? Automatics are so much more expensive but I foolishly took my test on automatic only many, many moons ago so can only drive one of these and to be honest think I'd be too lazy now to try to drive a manual!

Ahh, right..

well, under £7k automatics are fiat panda or peugeot 107 on jamjar.. not a rep for them.. other online car dealers are available.. etc etc..

I'm just a nervous 2nd hand car buyer and prefer smaller and newer if it's basically had the depreciation for driving it off the forecourt whacked off the price...