Mistakes to avoid when purchasing a new car
Buying a car is never an easy process and it can be quite daunting. From choosing the right car, to finding the right price, all in a timely manner, can be difficult.
David Lye, founder of Private Fleet, one of Australia’s largest car broking firms, understands the pains and concerns when buying or updating your car. With over 15 years of experience in the automotive industry, David knows the mistakes to avoid when purchasing a new car:
“Buying a car can be such a hard, time consuming and confusing process as there is so much information these days it can be difficult to digest and find the best price. Over the years I have had so many people come to me and complain about issues experienced throughout the car buying process and with this insight I am able to see mistakes that people make that they don’t even realise,” says David.
Here are David’s 5 tips on the biggest mistakes to avoid when purchasing a new car:
The sacrificial lamb
This is when you see a heavily discounted car advertised online. It sounds great so you ring the dealer and arrange to come down and have a test-drive. However, when you get there, the car salesman tells you the car has just sold but not to worry as there are plenty of other options.
It is just a marketing ploy to trick you into coming to the dealership so they can talk you into buying a car.
Beware the ex-demo
It’s easy to assume that you will get great value buying a demo car but that’s not always the case. Sure, it may be advertised at a 20% discount from retail but could you negotiate that or more on a brand new car? Also, think hard – is that the exact configuration in terms of options and colours to be your perfect match or are you compromising and trying to convince yourself it is? Lastly, the km – it only has 2,000 km which is nothing but, in terms of test-drives that could be 200+ different people giving it a workout.
Don’t think your trade-in is worth more than it is
It’s easy to hop online and see dozens of cars similar to yours for sale at a reasonable price. However remember this is the advertised price, not the sale price. These listings could have been there for months without even a nibble. When you trade a car, you should expect the best possible wholesale price. That’s the price a wholesaler pays – he then puts it through the auction for a used car dealer to buy, taking a cut along the way. The used car dealer then has to transport it, get it fit for sale (detail, fix up a niggle here or there), finance it, advertise it, store it on his lot, pay a salesman to sell it, register it, cover the mandatory warranty and make a dollar himself. All these steps mean there’s a bigger difference between wholesale and retail than you might think.
Consider buying options & accessories later
Aftermarket products may be a lot cheaper than through the dealer. Not only do dealers like to make a decent margin on them but often the branded products cost a lot more to start with. Also, you’re likely to pay Stamp Duty (that can be up to 5%) and possible Luxury Car Tax (33% for cars valued over $61,884) on every dollar of accessories if you buy them with the car order.
Use a professional
You wouldn’t go out and buy or sell a car without speaking to a professional so why not do the same when dealing with the second biggest purchase you’re ever likely to make. It costs nothing to make an enquiry with a car broker and it could save you thousands, in money and hours of time.
For more information, please visit www.privatefleet.com.au
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