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Car sales experts have offered their inside information on how to get the best deals, whether you’re buying or selling your car.
And some of the advice may surprise you, including putting less effort into preparing for a sale that could result in a higher price.
Experienced sellers on car brands including Lexus, Ford, BMW, Volvo, Jeep and Toyota have collaborated with car finance app Carmoola and auto parts specialist Rimmer Bros to help drivers get the best deal.
Aidan Rushby, founder and chief executive of Carmoola, said: “Empowered car buyers make better decisions, confident in their knowledge of the vehicle they want and what they can expect from the dealer.” By sharing these expert tips, we hope to level the playing field and ensure everyone gets the best deal possible.”
Find the eight best tips from the experts below.
Car sales experts have offered their inside information on how to get the best deals whether buying or selling your car (stock image)
One surprising tip was not to clean your car if you think it might have any visible damage, as this will do more damage to its value than a little dirt.
Trade in your car? If it is damaged do not clean it
When it comes to increasing or maintaining the resale or trade-in value of your car, one of the biggest limiting factors can be visible damage.
Daryl, a former car salesman with more than 20 years of experience working for companies including Ford, Lexus, Toyota, Renault and Mazda, advised: “If your car is in good condition and undamaged, make sure you give it the best cleaning possible. “. , both inside and out to really show off the excellent condition.
However, he added that if you’re worried about damage to your car, skip this.
He continued: ‘If it has damage, don’t clean it! We can’t see imperfections if they are covered in dust and dirt. Dirty cars hide a multitude of sins.
Karen, a former car salesperson who has been in the industry for more than a decade, working for big-name companies from Volvo to BMW, agreed.
“If you have small scratches on your vehicle, leave it dirty so the imperfections are less visible,” he said.
Buy your car at the end of the month
Car buyers should keep an eye out for year-end clearance sales or manufacturer promotions, which often coincide with new model releases.
However, even without these buyers they could get a reduced price.
As for timing, Daryl recommended buying a car toward the end of the month.
“Strike at the end of the month, when sales associates struggle to meet their quotas and may be more inclined to lower their prices to outsell,” he said.
Do your research
Before heading to a dealership, doing your own research on the car you like will minimize the risk of regretting your purchase later and will also better equip you to get the best deal.
If you know what you need to pay, you will be protected from impulse or pressure from a salesperson.
There are several websites that offer free basic appraisals based on make, model, age and mileage; Although if you want a more specific average sales value, you may need to pay for a custom quote where you can enter more details, such as damage and any special features your vehicle has.
Daryl said: ‘When you’re looking for a new car, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the specifications of the vehicle you’re considering. And if you do enough research, you might know more than the seller!
‘Do not hesitate to demonstrate your knowledge during negotiations either. Doing so will not only help you stay away from shady deals, but it might even catch the seller off guard, which could lead to a better price.
Wait for the right moment to secure an update
Waiting for free upgrades or accessories until the deal is almost done gives you an added advantage.
Once the salesperson at the dealership has seen that you are serious about taking the car home, he or she may be more inclined to offer incentives to close the deal.
To do this successfully, Karen suggested, “Once you’re close to closing, you should say ‘okay, if you add X and Y, I’ll close the deal.'”
“This will make you much more likely to get the accessories you’re interested in.”
Bring people with you to shop.
You might think that bringing someone with you could be seen as an admission of your own lack of confidence, but bringing family or friends to the dealership can be to your advantage.
According to experts, it’s always beneficial to have someone else on hand to offer a different perspective on available options, help you consider factors you may have overlooked, or give you peace of mind about your choices.
BMW and Volvo saleswoman Karen said: ‘It’s beneficial to take someone with you, but certainly not someone who is loud and is going to rule the deal!
“Going with multiple people, such as a few family members, can give you an advantage as it can overwhelm salespeople newer to the business and can be to your advantage.”
Be nice but have a poker face.
When visiting a dealership, be sure to always be respectful, as a salesperson is much more likely to give you a good deal if you like them. However, it’s important not to get too excited about any future car.
“A big no-no is showing too much enthusiasm for the car you’re looking at; a poker face will benefit you,” Daryl said.
While it’s essential to be friendly, experts suggest keeping conversation to a minimum.
“People can tend to chat or talk too much while trying to haggle for the best deal,” he added.
“We’re all human, so if you stay quiet, you’ll lead the sales associate down the same path: committing to deals and promises they hadn’t planned to make.”
Trust your instincts on dodgy offers
Trusting your instincts is essential to protecting yourself, uncovering potential problems, and making informed decisions.
Karen warned: “If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Trust his instincts toward the dealer, his space, and what he’s telling you. Never rush into a decision, especially if you feel something is not quite right.’
Daryl added: “It can be hard to spot a scammer, but if it doesn’t sound right to you, don’t make the deal that day, go away and look up some online reviews about the dealership.”
“Remember, no decent trader will care if you come home to make the decision.”
Keep polishing your car
Although you may not want to be the typical car owner, who stays on the road every summer night to polish his car, Andrew Mundy, classic car expert at Rimmer Bros, emphasized: “When purchasing a classic car, it is imperative that Treat him with care.” the respect you deserve and ensure you use the right products for the right job.
“You should take the time to wash and wax your car regularly, only using leather conditioner if you have a leather interior and UV protectors on the soft top.”
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