Comparing data with some car manufacturers, including Toyota and BMW, reveals that 40-60% of the consumers who register with UsedCarExpert.com and can afford a main dealer car, still buy it somewhere else. Other research indicates that people are buying a combination of the cheapest car, with the lowest mileage. Main dealer cars are often advertised as more expensive than private sellers, supermarket or independent dealers, so perhaps that explains it.
But this overlooks two crucial facts. One, main dealers will offer you 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! Two, main dealer cars should be much better prepared, not need a service for ages, have had all their recalls and updates and be covered in 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.