Dealing with your Car Dealer

Contrary to what some people might tell you, there has never been a better time to buy a used car.  Upgrades in engine technology and electronics have made cars more reliable for a longer time. New car sales were down 10% to December 2017 while used car imports were up almost 30% on the 2016 figures. (www.simi.ie) There has never been more choice or more dealers looking for your business. In addition, there are a host of resources available to the used car buyer:

1. The NCT certificate offers a baseline safety guarantee for the purchaser.
2. Car history checks are available for as little as €10 on sites like cartell.ie
3. Used cars may often come with several years’ remaining warranty (a 2016 Mitsubishi passenger car still has 3 years full manufacturer’s warranty remaining.) If not, additional warranty can be purchased for peace of mind.
4. Due to the recent downward slide of Sterling, quality UK imports often provide Irish consumers with a superior product at a lower comparative price. (Cartell can check these too!)
5. Purchasers can have the vehicle checked by an independent mechanic before purchase (typically circa €100 per check)

However, it is important to remember that one of the greatest resources may be your dealer themselves. Yes, really. Nobody wants a happy purchaser more than the dealer. As the old saying goes, the dealer doesn’t want to sell you a car: they want to sell you five cars. For this reason, it is important to use the resource right in front of you. Most dealers are experts and have used that expertise in buying their stock of used cars in the first place. Many are from a mechanical background themselves and if there is something worrying you about the car, they should be your first port of call. If you have concerns about scuffs and scratches, or there’s a tyre you’re not happy with, ask your dealer and ask them before you buy the car. Talk to them. Use their expertise, make the deal with them. Then Apply for Finance with Vendor Finance.