What you should never say to a car dealer – and the top tips to make sure you get the best deal
Brits will shop for new cars in record numbers after Christmas. Use our guide to make sure you master the art of the haggle and get the best deal
THE new year will always see a surge in car sales as buyers hunt for fresh bargains.
Analysis by What Car? reveal searches for cars from Boxing Day spike as Brits look for the biggest discounts.
Usually, motorists will either buy immediately or do their research ahead of the March plate change.
Premium brands like Audi and BMW are the most searched for during this period followed by VW, Nissan, Skoda and Ford.
But Brits can avoid shelling out more than they need to on a new motor just by learning the lingo when it comes to dealing with a car salesperson.
With the new car market still struggling, dealers are usually happy to offer you a good price in order to secure a sale.
Expert haggling tips: what NOT to say
- I really like this car
- Have you sold many cars today?
- What sort of discounts are people getting on cars at the moment?
- Please can I have a discount?
- Are you sure you can’t meet my budget?
- Is that all that my old car is worth?
- What will it cost if I pay in cash?
But many Brits miss out on this and just pay the asking price because they don't like haggling.
To help you secure the best deal, experts at Exchange and Mart have provided some handy tips on how to do it right.
The most important part is knowing what you want and what it's worth - this way dealers can't pull the wool over your eyes.
And, if you're shopping for a used motor, don't be afraid to get an expert to look over a potential purchase to find any big mechanical problems.
Expert haggling tips: what you SHOULD say
- I’m interested in buying this car from you, but to do so I need more than you are offering in part exchange on my old car
- I’m ready to do a deal today at the right price or I’m a cash buyer
- Has this car ever been in an accident?
- How much discount will you give me?
- Can you meet my budget – if not, I can buy elsewhere…
- If your manager is the one making the decision, can I talk to them?
- I’ve seen a better deal at… (a nearby competitor). Make sure you really have or you’ll look silly
- If we can agree on £X (price) then you have a deal
When submitting an offer, you should also start low with a view to meeting somewhere in the middle.
If you go in too high, chances are the dealer won't drop down below your initial offer.
Lynn Clark, brand manager for Exchange and Mart, said: "It’s important to take the emotion out of car buying, which means resisting the seller’s charm and any special offers.
"Buyers should keep calm and stay poker faced as they look around. And if buying from a private seller, be on your guard for body language and facial expressions.
"Keep an ear out for inconsistent stories about the car’s history and don’t be afraid to walk away.
"Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Equally, never pay more for a car than you can afford.
"There are plenty of deals out there, so never settle for a bad deal. A car is an investment so don’t make any rash decisions."