Wiggle room buying second hand car from a dealer

clint_silver · 01-06-2018 11:45am #1

Long time since I bought a car off a dealer. Been to see several dealers in last week. Looking for a 3 or 4 year old 7 seater.

Used to be able to wangle for between 5-10% off the list price, or better set of tyres or extended warranty or get tax paid. But Im getting no engagement on any bargaining on anything other than whats listed, that's from 4 different dealers.

Is that just the way it is these days or have I just been unlucky with the guys Ive been dealing with or saying the wrong things?

bazz26 · 01-06-2018 12:25pm

There is no written or unwritten rule that you can get x% off the price of a used car.

There are many factors involved. What make/model are you looking to buy? If the car is in demand but supply is short then dealers can afford to play hardball over the price. How well priced is the car compared to others, if it's one of the cheapest examples of it's type then there might not be much further wiggle room in the price.

Timing is also another factor where it depends how long the dealer has the car and sales targets need to be met, usually end of month or quarter where dealers might be more receptive to bargaining in order to shift it.

Also did you call into the dealers or did you try to bargain over the phone? You will never get the best deal over the phone as they get phone calls every day that don't result in serious interest, you need to be sitting in front of the dealer and let them know you are serious. Be ready to do the deal that day if the deal is right.

TheShow · 01-06-2018 1:56pm

From my own redimentary experiences, if your trading something in then generally no room to haggle, but if you have a straight purchase normally a deal can be done.
Depends on all the other factors mentioned above also

Philb76 · 01-06-2018 2:18pm

Fixed pricing is very common now here in Ireland among main dealers sort of following the UK in that respect

Wiggle room buying second hand car from a dealer

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