Car salespeople reveal insider suggestions to purchase and promote
- Car sales experts have offered insider insights into how to get the best deals
- One surprising trick could get you more money for your car for less effort
Car sales experts have offered their insider insights into how to get the best deals whether you are buying or selling your car.
And some of the tips might surprise you, including putting less effort into preparing for a sale potentially leading to a higher price.
Salespeople with experience at automotive brands like Lexus, Ford, BMW, Volvo, Jeep and Toyota have collaborated with car finance app Carmoola and autoparts specialist Rimmer Bros to help drivers get the best deal.
Aidan Rushby, founder and CEO of Carmoola, said: ‘Empowered car buyers make better decisions, confident in their knowledge of the vehicle they want and what they can expect from the dealership. By sharing these insider tips, we hope to level the playing field and ensure that everyone gets the best possible deal.’
Find the experts’ eight top tips below.
Car sales experts have offered their insider insights into how to get the best deals whether you are buying or selling your car (stock image)
One surprising tip was to not clean your car if you think it could unveil some visible damage, as this will harm the value more than a bit of dirt
Trading in your car? If it’s damaged, don’t clean it
When it comes to increasing or maintaining the resale or trade-in value of your car, one of the biggest limiting factors can be visible damage.
Daryl, a former car salesman with over 20 years of experience, working for the likes of Ford, Lexus, Toyota, Renault and Mazda, advised: ‘If your car is in good condition without damage, make sure you give it the best clean possible, both inside and out to really show off the great condition.’
However, he added that if you are concerned about damage to your car, skip this.
He continued: ‘If it has damage, don’t clean it! We can’t see imperfections if they’re covered in dust and dirt. Dirty cars hide a multitude of sins.’
Karen, a former car saleswoman who has been in the industry for over a decade, working for big-name companies from Volvo to BMW, concurred.
‘If you have minor scratches on your vehicle, then leave the car dirty to make any imperfections less visible,’ she said.
Buy your car at the end of the month
Car buyers should keep an eye out for end-of-year clearance sales or manufacturer promotions, which often coincide with new model releases.
However, even without these buyers could get themselves a knock-down price.
In terms of timings, Daryl recommended purchasing a car towards the end of the month.
‘Strike at the end of the month when sales associates scramble to meet their quotas and may be more inclined to drop their price to get the sales over the line,’ he said.
Do your research
Before heading to a dealership, doing your own research on the car that you like the look of will minimise the risk of regretting your purchase later on and will also better equip you to get the best deal.
If you know what you should be paying then you will be protected from impulse or pressure from a salesperson.
There are a number of websites that provide free basic valuations based on the make, model, age and mileage – though if you want a more specific average sale value, you might need to pay for a bespoke quotation where you can enter more details, such as damage and special features your vehicle has.
Daryl said: ‘When you’re in the market for a new car, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with the specifications of the vehicle you’re eyeing up. And if you do enough research, you may find yourself knowing more than the salesperson!
‘Don’t hesitate to showcase your knowledge during negotiations either. Doing so not only helps you steer clear of any shady deals but might even catch the seller off guard, potentially leading to a better price.’
Bide your time to secure an upgrade
Holding off on upgrades or free accessories until the deal is almost finished gives you additional leverage.
Once the salesperson at the dealership has seen that you are serious about taking the car home, they may be more inclined to offer incentives to close the deal.
To do this successfully, Karen suggested: ‘Once you’re near to closing, you should then say “ok, if you throw in X and Y I’ll do the deal”.
‘This will make you much more likely to actually come away with accessories you have your eyes on.’
Bring people with you to buy
You might think that bringing someone with you could be seen as an acknowledgement of your own lack of confidence, but taking family or friends to the dealership can work to your advantage.
Having someone else on hand to offer a different perspective on the options available, helping you consider factors that you may have overlooked, or providing reassurance about your choices, is always beneficial – according to the experts.
BMW and Volvo saleswoman, Karen, said: ‘It’s beneficial to take someone with you, but certainly not anyone who is loud and going to rule over the deal!
‘Going with multiple people, like a few family members, can give you the upper hand as it can overwhelm salespeople newer in the business and may work to your advantage.’
Be nice but have a poker face
When visiting a dealership make sure to always be respectful as a salesperson is much more likely to give you a good deal if they like you. However, it is important to not get too excited about any future car.
‘A big no-no is showing too much enthusiasm about the car you are looking at – a poker face will work to your advantage,’ Daryl said.
Although it is crucial to be friendly, the experts have suggested keeping your talking to a minimum.
‘People can tend to chit-chat or over-speak as they try to haggle the best deal,’ he added.
‘We’re all human, therefore by staying quiet you’ll lead the sales associate into the very same path – committing themselves to deals and promises they’d not planned on making.’
Trust your gut on dodgy deals
Trusting your gut feeling is essential to protect yourself, uncover potential issues, and make informed decisions.
Karen warned: ‘If the deal seems too good to be true – it probably is. Trust your gut feelings towards the dealer, their space, and what they are telling you. Never feel rushed into making your decision – especially if you feel something isn’t quite right.’
Daryl added: ‘It can be hard to spot a scammer, but if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do the deal on the day, go away and look up some online reviews on the dealership.
‘Remember, no decent dealer will ever mind you going home to sit on the decision.’
Keep polishing your car
Although you may not want to be the stereotypical car owner, who stands on their drive polishing their car every summer evening, Andrew Mundy, classic car expert at Rimmer Bros, emphasised: ‘When buying a classic car, it’s imperative that you treat it with the respect it deserves and ensure that you use the right products for the right job.
‘You should take time to wash and wax your car regularly, only using leather hide conditioner if it has a leather interior and UV protectors on a soft top.’
