Beware Of The Pitfalls

As we have discussed over the course of this site there are various advantages and disadvantages to buying pre-registered vehicles – everyone needs to think long and hard about their own circumstances before coming to a decision on whether a pre-registered car will be beneficial for them.

In addition to the obvious advantages and disadvantages of going pre-reg, there are some aspects of the industry to beware of. To broaden your knowledge further on the subject we are going to run through some of the common mistakes people make and tell you about certain issues you should approach with caution.

Look Out For Ex-demo Cars

What are ex-demo cars you ask? They are vehicles which dealers will use to show customers a particular model, and in many cases it will be the vehicle that a customer test drives should they ask to do so. What does this mean for you as a buyer? Well for one thing a demo car will have considerably more miles on the clock than a standard pre-registered vehicle which in most cases will only have delivery miles on the odometer.

Now as long as the dealer is straight with you and tells you in the first place that this particular pre-registered Honda Accord has actually been used as a demo model, then there is no issue. Most dealers will usually knock extra money off the price, which could suit you fine if you’re not worried about a few thousand miles on the clock.

However be sure to check the odometer before you hand over any cash or sign any agreement, because there are always car sellers out there looking to pull the wool over naïve buyers’ eyes.

Check The Vehicle’s Condition

When you are in the market for a pre-registered vehicle, you essentially act in the same manner as if you are buying a new vehicle – which of course you are not, as technically pre-registered cars are second hand cars.

Pre-registered cars can often be very slightly damaged so again you need to undertake a full inspection of the car yourself before you buy it – don’t simply take the dealer’s word that the car is in tip top condition. This applies to the inside and out, so check for scratches and dents in the paintwork and ensure that all of the internal equipment works exactly as it should.

Never Buy Without A Haggle

One of the golden rules of the world of pre-registered cars is to always remember you must, must, MUST haggle with a car dealer! It is the only way to ensure that you get the best and fairest deal that you can.

If a pre-registered Vauxhall Mokka is advertised at £16,000, then offer the dealer say £14,500. He may then come back to you with £15,500 but now you are in the driving seat as he has shown weakness, so haggle down again and say you will go to £14,750. Chances are he will budge again to £15,000 and bam – you have saved yourself £1,000.