07/01/2022
The following list of surprising car facts should clear up any misconceptions or concerns you may have around purchasing your dream car.
1. Do your research
A car is a big ticket item (like a house) and shouldn’t be an impulse buy. Before making your decision, ask yourself what you need from a car. If you have any special needs, you need to be even more informed. This is especially true for parents with young kids who need features like isofix or outdoors people who are trying to choose between a 4X4 or crossover.
Read car reviews, and check pages and Google for reviews from clients - those are true representations of the brand. See how dealers respond to complaints to gauge the level of customer service you’re likely to receive. If you see the brand has 30 five-star reviews with only one negative review, it’s probably a great dealer! Always choose a dealer that’s well-known for its excellent reputation.
2. Not all salespeople are sharks
In fact, most sales staff are just as worried about customers not being upfront and honest.
Reputable dealerships are not trying to take you for a ride - so trust them. Even though they may not know everything, give them a chance to help you. Salespeople are not all well informed about their products (you could be dealing with a new starter), so do your own research (as you are now) and be prepared. It’s important to build a relationship with your salesperson so that when you have questions, you have a point of contact at your dealership. You need to feel comfortable with your salesperson.
3. Dealers don’t make more money on a new car
Dealerships keep their prices competitive, so they’re not making the high profit margin you may expect. In fact, dealers make more money on used cars - so if you’re looking to negotiate on price, your dealer has more room to be flexible.
4. Specials are often excess stock
so you may strike it lucky and get a great deal - but only if you’re willing to compromise on things like colour. This doesn’t mean that there is anything wrong with these cars but the dealership has possibly ordered too many in a specific colour or model.
5. You can’t reserve a car unless you sign and commit
A dealer can’t afford to put a car on hold for you unless they know you’re going to commit to the purchase. You need to either sign the OTP (offer to purchase)or put down a deposit to reserve a car.
6. The cost of added extras differs per dealer
Surprising as this may seem, there’s no standard price for optional extras. A reputable dealer will never rip you off, so do your homework and check prices across a number of dealerships if you’re uncertain.
7. Accessories do not improve the value of your car
(e.g. tow bar, rims or anti-smash-and-grab). You benefit from the accessories as they improve the comfort and functionality of your car, but there’s no added financial benefit when it comes to a trade in. In fact, bad accessories (like a home-installed sound system or lowered suspension) will devalue your car and void your warranty. If you do intend to add optional extras, make sure you get these from your dealer.
8. All brands charge extra for metallic paint
Your safest bet is to opt for a white car where possible - not only will you pay less for the initial purchase, but your insurance premiums will be lower too.
9. You must test drive a car before buying it
Make sure you drive it around the test drive route, but also ask to take it out and see how it feels on the highway. We spend so much time behind the wheel that you need to be certain the car is fit for purpose and comfortable to drive.
10. Check that everything works
(e.g. infotainment system, indicators and so on) before leaving the show room. That way you can address any problems while you’re at the dealership.
11. Not all brands are equal
Just because everyone drives one doesn’t mean it’s a good car. Choose a brand that has a known track record for safety and reliability.
12. Not all manufacturer warranties are equal.
If you’re wondering why one brand only offers a three-year warranty while another offers a seven-year warranty, take a good look at the T’s and C’s. Rather take comprehensive three-year warranty over a seven-year limited warranty.
13. Be willing to be flexible.
There are so many different brands and models on the market. Don’t set your heart on a car at the very top end of your budget and refuse to look at other cars. This is letting your wants outweigh reality.
Do your research and find a model that ticks as many boxes on your wishlist as possible, while still falling within an affordable price range. At the end of the day, there’s no point in driving a luxury sports car for six months, only to have it repossessed (along with half your assets) when you can’t afford the monthly instalments.
