Used Car Help

Mumum

Hi 👋 I have found a 1 litre 2014 used car to replace my 17 year old model. The asking price is £6500 (plus £200 delivery as it is 200 miles away). The price is in line with others on the market so I assumed the high cost was down to it being an automatic and a Toyota.

Parkers have valued its dealer price at £4335 and another at £5455 with Autotrader at £5750-£6350. I have also read that June is not the best time to buy when looking for deals and that there is more demand than supply atm but that things should start to improve the second half of the year for buyers.

My question therefore is how accurate is Autotrader etc and how much extra do you think I'd be paying by buying now? I don't mind losing, say £300 but if we're talking more than £750 or so then ouch, may as well stick with my old banger for a while!

It cost me a new camchain and front and rear new breaks last year though so I'm worried about what may follow!

My garage will buy my current car for £650 but if anyone can tell me what they think the mark-up is for buying at this more expensive time then I'd be ever so grateful 🙏

Thank you!

Martin_the_Unjust

No, no, no do not buy an overpriced car sight unseen from 200 miles away.

The money saving thing to do, nearly all of the time is keep and maintain the car you have while saving up for its replacement.

Mumum

Thanks Martin, I am able to reject it, in which case they will take it back with them. My main concern is what sort of a mark-up are we talking about when supply is low? If I found something local I would still need to consider this. Thanks for the speedy reply. I thought you'd all still be asleep!

Mumum

I can consider keeping my car until supply is higher and prices drop but my Yaris has been costing me a lot in repairs and I would have saved a few 1000 had I sold it a couple of years ago. What will go next while I'm maintaining it and at what cost? Money which could go towards an upgrade.