Car Broker Experiences

Jayp7541

I'm looking to buy a new car and read several threads on here about online brokers such as Broadspeed/coast2coast/UK Car Discount (I can't use DriveTheDeal as they don't do the make I would like).

As most of those posts are a bit on the old side, I thought if any other posters have had recent experiences (good or bad) with any of these dealers they' be prepared to share either on here or via a private message.

I'm struggling with the old saying 'if it's too good to be true, then it probably is' when it comes to the prices I'm being quoted. So any tips or recommendations are greatly appreciated.

DUTR

What car is it you are after? I've used a broker twice , I can't see what the fuss is, they put the dealer in touch with you, your deposit is made via CC, only thing is the car is not guaranteed to be from the local dealer, that said some dealers will price match a broker price.

daveyjp

Appreciating you can't use DTD, I have used them, it was just as DUTR says and really straightforwards.  We did save as the local dealer couldn't match the price.

Even though it is 14 years ago I still see the car running around my local area.

Jayp7541

Thanks for the feedback so far.

DUTR - I'll PM the details to you if you do not mind.

It's things like not-so-slick websites and poor trust pilot reviews. I know you can't have a company that has 100% perfect reviews and if they do then something there is fishy too.

Stories of brokers being the dealer themselves, or unfulfilled orders with customers being led on.

But as you say, if you pay the fee/deposit by CC the risk is reduced.

It would still be nice to know of recent good/bad experiences of posters on here to help decide who to trust.

Daveyjp, glad you found the benefit all that time ago. Hopefully I'll follow in those shoes.

DUTR

daveyjp said:

Appreciating you can't use DTD, I have used them, it was just as DUTR says and really straightforwards.  We did save as the local dealer couldn't match the price.

Even though it is 14 years ago I still see the car running around my local area.

I remember driving through a town saw a car pulling out of a side road and I thought nice example, then I noticed the registration plate and it was my old car the guy I had sold it to sold it on again.
A few weeks later I saw the car again and managed to flag the driver down, we had a chat, he had the car for months and didn't realise it had electric folding mirrors (one of the options I had spec'd) , or how to reset the low tyre warning.

DUTR

Jayp7541 said:

Thanks for the feedback so far.

DUTR - I'll PM the details to you if you do not mind.

It's things like not-so-slick websites and poor trust pilot reviews. I know you can't have a company that has 100% perfect reviews and if they do then something there is fishy too.

Stories of brokers being the dealer themselves, or unfulfilled orders with customers being led on.

But as you say, if you pay the fee/deposit by CC the risk is reduced.

It would still be nice to know of recent good/bad experiences of posters on here to help decide who to trust.

Daveyjp, glad you found the benefit all that time ago. Hopefully I'll follow in those shoes.

My two experiences have been smooth, slick websites don't always mean slick service and trustpilot reviews can be suspect themselves. The 1st broker I used doesn't appear to be operating now, the more recent one oddly doesn't offer any discount on the brand that you are after.

ComicGeek

I've used Carwow a few times, and orange wheels just this week to buy. Have both bought through them and also used as a negotiating tool with local dealerships, and made huge savings. The car model I wanted now isn't on Carwow (standard Volvo model, no idea why not), but was on orange wheels, so worth trying a couple of sites.

Depends on whether you need to part ex, as DTD don't do part exs.

I like the sites as I do a lot of research and know exactly what I want - this saves a lot of time in negotiating and shows what's realistic. You also don't get any contact from the dealers unless you request it.