Tips for buying from an independent dealer

[Herishi]

Guys as you have probably seen from all my recent posts im about to buy my first mb any tips on getting the best price?

Ive gotta go 170 miles each way and parkers/ what car say car worth about £7.5k dealer advertising for £8.5k

Average miles and reported as excellent condition.

Any tips greatly appreciated

Steve

 

[st13phil]

You're on the back foot if you've travelled 170 miles and the seller knows that, as most people won't go home empty handed after travelling that far.

At the end of the day, to you the car is worth whatever you're willing to pay. To the seller, it's worth as much as he can get. You seem to think that the car's worth around a grand less than the trader has it advertised for. Personally, if I were in your position I wouldn't travel 170 miles on the vague off chance that the seller will negotiate on price. My advice would be to talk to the trader first on the phone and establish the fact that even if the car is absolutely wonderful you aren't willing to pay the asking price. If he's willing to negotiate then you'll find out pretty quickly and not waste either his or your time. If he says the asking price is firm, you can decide whether you want to proceed on that basis.

 

[ioweddie]

Have a look at what this guy is selling, he seems to get good reviews on here and come recommended by lots.
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/members/mercland.html

 

[John Hannon]

I did a 150 mile round trip a few weeks ago to see a "flawless" 350slk......that's the direct words from the advert and was confirmed by a phone call to the dealer
In my book a big scratch on the bonnet, numerous stone chips and scratches, bald rear tyres and a puddle in the spare wheel well arnt part of flawless. I didn't even take it on a test drive.
Oh, buy a block of HPI reports, one car I was told only had two previous showed as having severn owners on the HPI......saved me a 150 mile round trip!!
Don't be afraid to walk away if it doesn't look or feel right, gut feelings are there for a reason[emoji1]

Happy hunting

Regards all

John

 

[E55BOF]

It's a dishonest trade, I'm afraid. Google reviews of the dealer; it might give you a pointer to how good/bad he is. Unless it's something really rare and wonderful that you think half the forum will rush to buy, name him on here and ask if anyone knows anything about him.

Ask if, if it's not as described, you can massage his scrotum with a rubber mallet. It should get a laugh, and help to establish a rapport.

It's usually safer to assume that dealers will at least be economical with the truth, though not all are. I've had success in the past with telling it straight; "This is all I can afford, and if it's not a good 'un, I won't buy it. Be honest with me; will I be wasting my time coming to see it?"

HTH

 

[tec]

If the dealer says it's in excellent condition it probably isn't.

I would look and wait for something nearer to home, as travelling costs soon mount up when you go to see very poor cars and return with nothing.

 

[Howard]

Parkers guide price of £7.5k , is that private seller or trade ?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Ignore all price guides (Parkers etc), simply look on Auto Trader and see how much others are up for.

It's a bit of an in-joke in the trade when people turn up quoting Parkers etc expecting the trader to 'match it' when in reality you might as well be stood there with The Beano in your hand for what use it is.

E55BOF gives a great bit of advice; try and strike a rapport with the trader before you leave.

 

[Herishi]

Yeah def going to get a confirmation on what they will except before travelling. Hpi check is a definite wouldnt buy a car without one.

The seller is bristol prestige cars.

Ill tae a look at mercland and see what he has

Thx

Steve

 

[grober]

When buying a second hand car from a dealer you will very rarely pay book or less for a sound example is a good rule of thumb. Unfortunately the corollary does not apply paying over the odds does not guarantee you will purchase a good example. At least that way you can eliminate half the dodgy ones for starters. Your best bet is to go to a dealer with a decent reputation. Assess the seller as much as the car.

 

[merc85]

When buying from a dealer its always a gamble, Especially if they are miles from you.

Will they keep there word when it comes to waranty?
You will have to travel the Distance to take the car back if it does need something.
And if they say they have fixed it then you pick it up and it plays up again things could get costly.

I think its worth buying private you will get more car for your money, any spare money you save via haggling may pay for any repairs/faults.
And you can get to suss the owner out before handing over money.

Or buy from Mercland on here they have a very good rep.

If buying from a dealer try and find one with a good rep and is in close to you

 

[Herishi]

the price is for independant trader

 

[gIzzE]

Why are you going to see this one that is 20% over book?

There must be a reason.

 

[Herishi]

Why are you going to see this one that is 20% over book?

There must be a reason.

The car is everything I like and if they cant come down to a more realistic price then I wont bother going to see the car,

Before viewing I will get more pics of the car to make sure the condition is good enough and I will get a better price and see about covering the warranty at a closer garage.

if none of these answers are satisfactory then I will not go.

A bit scary the possibility of being without a car.

Thanks

Steve

 

[gIzzE]

The car is everything I like......

That is what I was getting at.


If it is everything you want in a car then maybe worth spending a bit more, and obviously appeals more than anything else, hence you have picked it.

 

[Herishi]

found another near identical spec but £9500, so maybe £8500 isnt that bad of a price, I'll still try to knock them down though.

 

[Herishi]

That is what I was getting at.


If it is everything you want in a car then maybe worth spending a bit more, and obviously appeals more than anything else, hence you have picked it.

Dont get me wrong Ive seen others I like but they are all east or south of london or in london and the prices are all around £9k, i dont have this kind of cash really, ive noticed west country and "up north" the car prices are lower.

 

[C180CGI]

Personally wouldent purchase ANY vehicles from independent dealers. They seem to make up their own rules when a car is faulty. Always go private, they are usually happy to negotiate onto a reasonable price too.

 

[gIzzE]

Yeah most indi dealers I would avoid.

I prefer private sellers, most people don't want someone coming back an hour later so if there is a problem trade cars in, all indi dealers do is buy those cars at auction.

Unless it is an established dealer who is known to you or through others, then I would prefer private sales.

 

[jpwilliams]

Jay at Mercland in Nuneaton is one of the best Indies in the business. Not heard of, nor read any bad comment about him.

Regards
John