Car buying is a real labyrinth. Not only
do we have to choose from over 6,000 different models available
on the market today, but we have to decide where to buy
it from?
Dealers
Dealers, both franchised and/or independent
are responsible for 80 per cent of sales of cars aged
3-5 years old, and over 50 per cent of those aged
6-8. Inevitably, people take this option for peace of mind.
Verified mileage and history, plus extended warranties, make
them an attractive, if sometimes expensive package. As a rule
of thumb, main franchised dealers will focus on cars up to
the age of 3-4 years old, with independents looking after
older models.
Car Supermarkets
“Pile ‘em high, sell ‘em
cheap” is the best way to describe car supermarkets.
Some focus on nearly-new models offering big discounts with
only a few thousand miles on the clock and a couple of months
old. Others concentrate on ex-fleet and daily
rental cars, often with high mileage,
but well documented service books.
Auctions
Although an increasingly popular destination
for private buyers, auctions remain the mainstay of dealers
buying stock for re-sale to the public. Bargains are certainly
to be had, but it is not the recommend route for the novice.
Road tests are non-existent and it is very much a “sold
as seen” marketplace unless it is ‘warranted’.
Even then you usually only have an hour to reject it.
Classifieds
A great starting point regardless of whether
you are looking for a private or trade buy. Local newspapers
give you a good idea of the kind of cars and prices being
sold on your doorstep, whereas specialist magazines provide
you with even greater scope to compare availability.
Car Databases & The Internet
Motoring websites are the second most popular
destination for surfers. Despite its size - a mere 8bn sites
at the last count – the web can do the impossible and
bring buyers and sellers together in a matter of minutes.
The best solution is to head for a database driven
marketplace.
By operating in the same way as a dating
agency, Motorchange.co.uk,
long established players like Cardata,
match buyers with sellers and vice versa.
At motorchange.co.uk,
buyers list their requirements, and are emailed details of
suitable cars on a daily basis, starting with those closest
to their postcode, then moving gradually outward until they
find what they want. Startlingly simple really, and effective
too.
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