Buyer's Guides
Where to buy
There are a surprising number of options when buying new. All have their advantages and drawbacks, so weigh 'em up with our guide.
- Franchised dealers, or main dealers, are the most common place to buy a new car. Appointed by the manufacturer, they provide a one-stop shop for buying, servicing and repairs. Ease of use is the big draw, but bear in mind they work to tightly controlled targets and will resist dropping the price as much as possible.
- Importing a car from abroad was seen as the way to beat Rip-off Britain a few years ago, but UK car prices have fallen into line with the rest of Europe. There are still savings to be had, but this is balanced out by the hassle of doing the paperwork in a foreign language and the risk that the car will not be to the UK spec.
- A good way to avoid the pitfalls of importing is to use a broker. A broker charges a fee for arranging your new car purchase, but they are usually cheaper than franchised dealers. Check the small print, though, because you may have to collect the car yourself.
- Buying a car online is now as simple as any other mouse-clicking purchase. Shop around, study the small print, and ask for referrals from satisfied customers. Your statutory rights are just the same as when buying from any dealer.
- Car supermarkets may not offer the Bauhaus-inspired architecture of a franchised dealer's showroom, but they take the sting out of haggling. The price you see is the price you pay. These guys live by stacking 'em high, selling 'em a bit cheaper than a main dealer. The downside is there's little room for negotiation.