Pre-reg cars

BabyBoots

I'm looking to buy a newish second hand car. I've seen a few "pre-reg" cars advertised. As I understand it, these have been bought by the garage, but not sold to a member of the public yet. Does this mean they are likely to have been used as a courtesy car, or demo car? Are there any pitfalls to look out for in buying one? Or is it just a good way of saving some money on a nearly new car?

phill99

Main dealers are often contracted to take so many carsper month, quarter etc, or are given special pricing structures if they register so many cars. Therefore, many will register a numberof cars to themselves in irder to guarantee their special pricing. Many of these will have delivery mileage only (often less than 100 miles). You will have a reduced choice of colour, spec etc than but you will get a much bettter price.

Ex demo's, courtey cars etc will normally be declared as such. I bought an ex demo van last year with £350 miles on theclock and it was 2 months old when I Got it.

zappahey

Make sure that you check broker prices on new cars. Pre-reg is often not the bargain it might appear

ToriP

I bought a pre-reg car once, just a few miles on the clock. Saved a few thousand. Luckily it was in a colour I liked.

My most recent car I bought via online broker price. I initially wanted a nearly new car but with such a good deal new I thought why not

Car_54

I bought a pre-reg once, it was a very good deal.

The only downside was that the first service was due after six months rather than a year.

daveyjp

[quote=[Deleted User];69208267]I bought a pre-reg once, it was a very good deal.

The only downside was that the first service was due after six months rather than a year.[/QUOTE]

Moral of the story is to ensure the first service is included when you buy the car.

nidO

As above, if it's advertised as pre-registered it should be brand new in that it won't have been driven other than delivery miles (but might have been sitting on a forecourt for a few months), if it's been used as a demo/courtesy car it should be advertised as such.

I also have bought a pre-reg car in the past and got it with 4 miles on the clock, at a several grand discount compared to a new one.

molerat

My current car is a pre-reg. It was 7 weeks old at collection with 8 miles on the clock, £500 of options. The price was about £1K lower than new from one of the brokers. First registered to a flights charter company - which just happen to have their registered office at the same address as the main dealers HO. The dealer I got it from are currently selling an ex demo, less £300 options, couple of months older, 5K on the clock for £500 less than I paid 3 months ago. If you go in with your eyes open knowing what you should pay you can often get a pretty good deal.

Buzby

I have bought 2 pre-reg cars, and still have them 2 and 12 years following purchase. I saved £6k and £22k respectively and the mileages were 9 and 240 respectively. No car tax or VAT payable, neither suffered from the catastrophic value drop all new cars suffer from when leaving the showroom.

motorguy

Buzby wrote: »

I saved £6k and £22k respectively.

Compared to what? List price? What cars were they?

Buzby wrote: »

No car tax or VAT payable, neither suffered from the catastrophic value drop all new cars suffer from when leaving the showroom.

Yes they did. Try buying one you've "saved" £22K on and then taking it back the following week and see if the dealer gives you the invoice price.

motorguy

zappahey wrote: »

Make sure that you check broker prices on new cars. Pre-reg is often not the bargain it might appear

+1

Also, you wont be able to avail of new car incentives such as complementary upgrades, finance contributions, lower rate finance, etc, etc.

They can definintely be cheaper than buying new, but its not a "given" that they will be.