Partner Article

Buying a New Car For Your Business

If you’re in the market for a new car, here are our top tips to help you find the best deal. If there’s anything we’ve missed, just leave your two cents’ worth in the comments section below.

It’s all a question of timing This might be one of the oldest tricks in the book, but it’s still just as relevant today. Car dealerships have sales targets they need to hit to get what can be sizeable bonuses from the manufacturers. If a dealership is a few sales down on their target for the month with only a day or two left to spare, you could just walk away with a bargain. There have been plenty of examples of customers buying new cars at less than cost price, simply because the dealer needs to hit their targets. So, do plenty of research at home to find the going rate for the make and model of vehicle you’re interested in. Once you’re clued up and ready for a test drive, leave it till the last weekend of the month, or even the last day of the month, before walking into the showroom. You’ll soon find out whether the dealer has met his target for the month by their willingness to move on price. If they don’t budge, jump in your car and go elsewhere. The only catch is that the vehicle will have to be registered that month to count towards the dealer’s targets; but really, when you’re making a potentially substantial saving, that’s neither here nor there.

Beware the part exchange A part exchange - using its value as part-payment towards a new one - can be a good way to buy a new car. However, be warned that dealers are unlikely to reduce the new car’s list price by much, especially if they’re giving a big offer on the part exchange. You can look online to get an idea of just how much your car is really worth. Websites like Gumtree and eBay Motors will help you shift your car for less. You can then stroll into the dealership with cash in your back pocket, which puts you in a far stronger position to hammer out a deal.

Doing the deal You should NEVER pay the list price for a new car. No matter how meek and mild you might be, now is the time to haggle hard to give yourself the very best chance of securing a deal. Arm yourself with the necessary information to know what your target price will be. Trust your own judgement and never take the salesman’s word that “you’ve just got a great deal!” Here’s a helpful buyer’s guide from Parkers with detailed pointers about what you should and shouldn’t say to get your new car for a steal. What Car also provides a handy target price guide for all new cars, so use this information and stick to it during your negotiations.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Irma Hunkeler .