Demo Models

DiscoStew

My gf is going upgrading her car shortly and is considering buying a demo model VW Golf 1.6 D.
Mileage is 14,000 km which seems a little high for a 151 demo model? Maybe it's not though?
Would anyone here have reservations about buying demo models? The price they are offering currently is €23,450.
How much of a discount would you expect to be on a demo model?

In my eyes that seems expensive for a demo model as there is similar models about with not much more mileage for only €1,000 more. I am far from an expert in these matters though so would appreciate any advice on the matter!

She's dead set on a Golf and wants a 141 / 151 sort of range.

Drummerboy08

Demo or not makes no difference. It shouldn't be any cheaper than a similar age and mileage car.

Depending on how well its priced, expect 500/1000 discount.

15000km is about right for a year old car.

bazz26

DiscoStew wrote: »

My gf is going upgrading her car shortly and is considering buying a demo model VW Golf 1.6 D.
Mileage is 14,000 km which seems a little high for a 151 demo model? Maybe it's not though?
Would anyone here have reservations about buying demo models? The price they are offering currently is €23,450.
How much of a discount would you expect to be on a demo model?

In my eyes that seems expensive for a demo model as there is similar models about with not much more mileage for only €1,000 more. I am far from an expert in these matters though so would appreciate any advice on the matter!

She's dead set on a Golf and wants a 141 / 151 sort of range.

That is very unlikely to be a demo. Normally demos are kept for 3 months on average. It is also very unlikely a demo would be carried over from 2015 to 2016 or rack up 14k km on it as they would
loose too much on it. More than likely that car was a business leased or hire car.

kindalen

Car Salesmans car?

MarkN

The mileage does actually seem normal, most demos I've bought have been between 10-15kms but deffo not more than 3-6 months old.

The main thing I'd check are the tyres before buying.

DiscoStew

bazz26 wrote: »

That is very unlikely to be a demo. Normally demos are kept for 3 months on average. It is also very unlikely a demo would be carried over from 2015 to 2016 or rack up 14k km on it as they would
loose too much on it. More than likely that car was a business leased or hire car.

Business leased or hire cars would generally not be taken great care of I would imagine as they wouldn't have much of a vested interest in them?
Would you go for it or be wary of it?

grogi

DiscoStew wrote: »

My gf is going upgrading her car shortly and is considering buying a demo model VW Golf 1.6 D.
Mileage is 14,000 km which seems a little high for a 151 demo model? Maybe it's not though?
Would anyone here have reservations about buying demo models? The price they are offering currently is €23,450.
How much of a discount would you expect to be on a demo model?

In my eyes that seems expensive for a demo model as there is similar models about with not much more mileage for only €1,000 more. I am far from an expert in these matters though so would appreciate any advice on the matter!

She's dead set on a Golf and wants a 141 / 151 sort of range.

There are two types of "Demos"...

First one - around 3kkm / 6 months - are regular demos that people test drive... Three test drives/day, each from cold start, each 5 km... You get around 3000kkm, but always cold engine regularly tested to the limit. This is crucial with the complicated engines the cars have right now. Turbo will be half way there already...

The second one would be dealer buying a car with a demo discount and... using it himself. Those will have regular commuting mileage...

Honestly - I don't know which one I would prefer. I guess the higher mileage...

But IMHO the demos are not discounted enough, usually those would have much more wear and tear. I would seriously consider adding a bit and getting a brand new one. You'd get 0% PCP on Golf Highline - the cheapest 1.2TSi (which drive surprisingly well and is good on petrol too) is around 26k.

colm_mcm

Then there's courtesy cars and hire drives.

R.O.R

You'll probably see a little square on the drivers side on the rear, where there's either left over adhesive, or a slightly different shade of paint.

A lot of our drivers in long term Group C rental vehicles have recently been changed to newer cars.....

bazz26

DiscoStew wrote: »

Business leased or hire cars would generally not be taken great care of I would imagine as they wouldn't have much of a vested interest in them?
Would you go for it or be wary of it?

Ex rentals have so many drivers that they tend to be abused and have a higher rate of wear and tear. Ex leased company cars less so but depends on who was driving it, some drivers treat them as if they were their own while others don't. As part of it's lease plan it would have a service schedule and there maybe penalties applied if the car is returned in less than good condition.

As Colm mentioned it could also have been the dealer's courtesy car that is handed out when customers have their own cars in for servicing or repairs. Dealer staff may also have access to these cars outside of trading hours too.