Five Top Tips For Buying A New Car

It’s the age-old question: “do I buy through a private sale or a dealership?” Sometimes it is just too hard to decide. You may find a fantastic deal in the local classifieds or online, but you will then have to go without warranties and discounted servicing which may be offered by a dealership. Which will be cheaper in the long run? Which will give me a better guarantee for upkeep and history of the vehicle. A Roadworthy Certificate may just not make the cut as assurance that the car is in good condition. Maybe you have a trusted dealership that is proactive in its used car checks. We think it’s time to weigh up the pro and cons…

Pros:

Dealership

Buying through a dealership gives you two options. You can either buy a new or used car. Whichever your bank account or finance lender will allow, you are given the best of both worlds. They are usually in top notch condition, and if you do find a problem with the state of the vehicle (e.g. scratches, old windscreen wipers) they can be fixed in a jiffy. Most car salesmen are so ecstatic over a sale that they usually even throw these touch-ups in free of charge.

You are also given the luxury of five-star service rather than dealing with someone who is invested in the vehicle’s future. Plus, any add-ons can be completed before pickup meaning you don’t have to go back and forth before you are finally happy with your new car and rid of external parties.

In the case of being the seller, a Dealership will often offer a trade in, so you are able to upgrade your vehicle. It’s less hassle than listing your car and waiting for a buyer, but you more often than not are offered a lesser amount than what it would go for in a private sale.

Private Sale

A private sale means you get the history of the vehicle. If you have a question about why the rims are damaged, they will have an answer. If you want to know what kind of trips the car has been on, you can find out. Has it done a lot of highway driving or more city trips? Does it travel well long distances or better for the stop and start of city traffic? They are easy questions, which more than likely have easy answers.

If you buy a car knowing you will be selling it privately in due time, you are more likely to ensure the upkeep is maintained. You will keep up-to-date with logbook servicing and are proud of its tip-top-shape appearance. It may be little old granny who no longer drives and has low kilometres or an old business vehicle which was only used for out-of-office work. Whatever the situation, you should ensure that it is in good condition when the time comes to sell. Ultimately the customer and seller should come away happy, but don’t forget to bring your bargaining tactics along with you.

Cons:

Dealership

Buyers beware of dealership car sales people who are notorious for putting little add-ons to hike up the price. Think about whether you truly want genuine car mats or are happy to get generic ones or even go without. If you’re on a budget, every bit counts and the last thing you want to do is hike up your loan repayments should you be going down that route. Be wary of the hassle-free façade of a dealership and remember that they may not always be offering you the best price. If you are selling to the dealership, you may be offered a lesser price than a private sale, but it will also be hiked up if you are a buyer. Keep your eyes peeled for a good deal and if you are on good terms with the dealership, they may keep you in mind when a good deal pops up.

As a seller, you will have to do some searching for the best trade-in deal/sale. The used car dealership around the corner may only be willing to give you a pittance for your beloved vehicle, but a specialist dealer who only sells your brand may be more willing to you give you a higher price. It’s also an incentive to come back and buy from them again.

Private Sale

It’s hard knowing whether you are getting a good deal or not if you are out of the vehicle sales loop. Take someone who knows what’s up along with you and they should be able to decide whether it is as good as it seems. Private sales are often priced high, but that just means you need to bring your negotiating skills along with you. Keep in mind that you don’t want to jip someone as much as you don’t want to be given a raw deal. Be trusting in the honesty of private sellers, but be sure to know how to smell a rat.

As a seller, private sales can be a bit of a hassle. They take a long time to lift off and can be dreadful when it comes to inspections. You may lead a busy lifestyle and are not able to hang around all day for someone to ‘pop around for a look’. You’ll also be tasked with providing a Roadworthy Certificate and dealing with the change of hands paperwork.

The decision

Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer as to whether a private sale or dealership is the better option. It should all be on a case by case basis, but if you are savvy about this major purchase, you are likely to come away with a great deal and a new car all for yourself (and the rest of the gang you cart around).

If you are needing a quick sale/easy-breezy purchase then a car dealership is the way to go, however, if you are willing to put the hard yards in for a good deal or to get your money’s worth then it’s time to put an ad in the classifieds and play the waiting game. Just keep in mind as a buyer that, ‘quality remains when the price is long forgotten.’ Whichever you may choose, we wish you luck!