Can you haggle on used cars from dealerships?

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Sat 12 Aug 2023 16:42
Can you haggle on used cars from dealerships? - Car3

Three dealers have told me they won't budge on the price at all on used cars, but they might include some accessories such as floor mats. This is different to the last time I bought a car. I've overheard other customers haggling, but not the outcome of their efforts.

Some dealerships have told me there's a discount available by using their PCP finance option, from the finance provider, but only for new cars.

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Sat 12 Aug 2023 17:08
Can you haggle on used cars from dealerships? - catsdad

Some dealership groups set the prices centrally and local staff have limited, if any, scope to haggle. It doesn’t stop you trying.
Last time I bought a used car was just pre-COVID. Haggling got me to within about £500 of where I wanted to be. I left my offer on the table and the salesman called me back a couple of days later saying the price had been reduced centrally and we did the deal. He could have been spinning me a line but who cares.

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Sat 12 Aug 2023 17:36
Can you haggle on used cars from dealerships? - Terry W

With a shortage of s/h cars still following the pandemic prices are high and the negotiating position of dealers fairly strong.

If you avoid being too model/colour/gizmo specific you can offer what you think is fair in the knowledge there are other cars out there, and walk if they don't respond more positively.

They like selling "extras" in the hope that the punter feels they are getting value but the costs are lower - the £80 floor mats they are fitting for free only cost them £20, the paint treatment "worth" £300 only costs the £120!

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Sat 12 Aug 2023 17:27
Can you haggle on used cars from dealerships? - Andrew-T

I think it will depend on whether you have a part-ex. If you do, haggling will be two-way as both parties are trying to sell. If a dealer is desperate to meet a month-end target you may have some leverage.

Without part-ex you should have a better chance, but if demand exceeds supply a dealer may think an easier target may come in tomorrow. As you say, you should be able to wheedle a few freebies like mats or touch-up.

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Sat 12 Aug 2023 19:45
Can you haggle on used cars from dealerships? - SLO76
Decent stock is hard to come by and thus dealers are less willing to negotiate. Look at equivalent cars locally to compare prices to check if the car is priced right, some dealers put money on to give them wiggle room but you’re really no better off. If you find a car that’s right, then go through the motions such as test drive etc to make sure they believe you’re genuine, then let them quote you a nice juicy finance deal (full of commission for them) then make them a sensible offer (get it in writing of possible) and leave it with them if they reject it. I’ll wager you’ll get a call to accept or get close after the sales manager takes a look at the potential deals on the table. They can’t then change the deal because you don’t take their finance offer.

Edited by SLO76 on 12/08/2023 at 19:46

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Sun 13 Aug 2023 08:18
Can you haggle on used cars from dealerships? - FoxyJukebox
I’d always start by asking myself what’s my notional Price to Change if I was intending to trade in and buy a newish car

I’d pay by cash, wouldn’t touch any extras like 2 year service deals, paint insurance or what have you.
I’d ask the salesman what the price of the “new”car was on the road with 12 months tax and anything else that was included in that price( eg guarantee detail) then I’d ask what he would be prepared to offer for my trade in. That way you get get a first figure that may or may not be what you’d reckoned.

However-Before doing any of that, I’d research on Autotrader what the average selling price of a similar vehicle to the one I was thinking of buying and get a notional figure of trade in for my existing car value from WeBuyAnyCar.

If it’s all too much. Walk away. If it’s near what your research was telling you-then you’ll know you’ve done your best.


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Sun 13 Aug 2023 09:28
Can you haggle on used cars from dealerships? - mcb100
‘ Without part-ex you should have a better chance, ’

Depends on whether the PX fits the stock profile of the dealer. If it’s something that they can, in turn, sell on via retail, then you’re in a better position as the trader has a profit margin in both the car you’re buying and the car you’re wanting to sell them.
If the part exchange is older than they’d stock, or specialised, then they’ll be shy about making you an offer and will play safe.
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Sun 13 Aug 2023 09:53
Can you haggle on used cars from dealerships? - FoxyJukebox
When I part exchanged my 11 year old Audi for a nearly new Mazda from a dealer-I spotted my old car for sale in the forecourt of a nearby Arthur Daley 10 days later!
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Sun 13 Aug 2023 09:58
Can you haggle on used cars from dealerships? - sammy1

As above most dealership prices are now controlled centrally so little room for negotiation. Yippee a couple of mats or a spare wheel on a car costing thousands. Even when a car is in a bit of an over supply the companies will hold them back to keep their margins.

The dealers do not want your cash, the profit from commission on loans and leases is a nice little earner and if they can sell you anything else like warranties again bring it on!

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