COMPARING data from some leading car manufacturers reveals that up to 60 per cent of the consumers who register with UsedCarExpert.com and can afford to buy from a main dealer, still buy elsewhere.
Other research indicates that people are buying a combination of the cheapest car with the lowest mileage.
Cars from main dealers often appear more expensive than those sold privately or from supermarket or independent outlets, so perhaps that explains it.
But this overlooks two crucial facts. Main dealers will offer much bigger discounts than you think if you know how to ask.
A Peugeot main dealer just offered me £1,000 off the sticker price. Then he rang back and offered another £500!
Main dealer cars should also be much better prepared, not need a service for ages and be covered by stacks of warranty and breakdown protection.
Put the two facts together and a main dealer car can suddenly be a better deal than just buying the 'cheap car' at the sticker price or thereabouts.
Here are three large family examples to think about:
Peugeot 407
Owners complain that too much time was spent on little gadgets rather than getting the basics right. But a strong all-rounder nonetheless.
Most economical: 2.0 Hdi
Best used buy: 2.0 Hdi
Used Approved benefit: Minimum of 12 months warranty.
Used Car Expert magazine guide price: A 2007 HDi S with average mileage of 29,806, should be no more than £8,700 at a Supermarket and as much as £8,900 at a main dealer.
Vauxhal Vectra
Hugely comfy and safe and great value. Ex-fleet and company cars that have seriously depreciated over the last few years make huge sense as a value family buy.
Most economical: 2.0 Dti
Best used buy: 1.8 Elite
Used Approved benefit: Brake, battery and clutch guarantee.
Used Car Expert magazine guide price: A 2007 1.8 Elite with average milege of 27,000 should be no more than £7,200 at a Supermarket and as much as £7,500 at a main dealer.
Kia Magentis
Anonymous family car which manages to offer plenty of interior space and equipment in a price that only gets smaller on the used market. Not an entertaining drive but that is irrelevant.
Most economical: 2.0
Best used buy: 2.0 LS
Used Approved benefit: Up to 7 years warranty on some used approved Kias.
Used Car Expert magazine guide price: A 2007 2.0 LS with average mileage of 10,000 should be not more than £7,200 at a supermarket and as much as £7,400 at a dealer.