How to Not Get Ripped Off Buying a Car
So you’ve decided that it’s time to treat yourself and upgrade your car. Whether the decision was motivated by safety, economy, style, or a growing family – buying a new car is a decision that needs to be made with careful consideration for the options available. The process of buying a new car starts with the research, and once you have spent hours looking through more car ads than you care to count on Gumtree and cars.com.au, it’s time to head to a new car broker and to start the negotiations. There are new car brokers in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Australia wide, and by shopping around you can find a car broker to help you answer the question ‘how to buy a car without getting ripped off’ After all, buying a new car should be exciting, not stressful!
So, here’s our guide on how to not get ripped off buying a car and only spending what you should.
How to Buy a Car Without Getting Ripped Off
Narrow the search down
The first step in negotiation and buying a new car is to know what you are looking for, and narrow down the search field. After all, there is such thing as too much choice!
First, narrow your selection down to a shape: sedan, hatch wagon etc. Then you will need to look into the particular make and model of vehicle that you are looking for. You might be keen on safety features so you’re looking for a Volvo, but you’re also concerned about price, so you’re probably going to try and get the safety of a Volvo without the hefty price tag. Once you know what you are looking for you can start getting out there and contacting car dealers.
If you are not sure what make and model to get, this is where reviews and a car broker can help. No matter how many reviews you’ve read, or YouTube videos you’ve watched – the only way to know if the car is right for you is to get expert advice from someone in the know.
Second, before going to a new car broker, call ahead of time to confirm that they actually have access to the make and model of car you want, and make an appointment to test drive it.
By making an appointment ahead of time you are showing a car dealer that you are a serious potential buyer which saves you time. Car dealers are people too, and if you make a great first impression it’s likely that come negotiation time you’ll be in a better starting off position.
Third, when you are driving the car make sure you pay attention to the features of the vehicle. Sometimes what might sound great ends up being something annoying, and vice versa.
Do some research on price and value
When buying a new car you want to know the approximate value of the vehicle so you can negotiate accurately. Sites like Redbook will allow you to know the true market value of a car as it has independent pricing for almost every vehicle. A Redbook valuation or a car brokers valuation report is personalised to each car and gives the most accurate representation of price due to it also factoring details such as total kilometers, the condition of the car, and added factory and aftermarket options. This will help peace of mind and answer ‘how to buy a car without getting ripped off?’. Once you know what type of car you want to buy, and how much you should be paying for it, you can start to get serious.
Work out your monthly repayment budget
The majority of car buyers will borrow money for a car. It may be through their bank, their mortgage or even from family and friends. When it comes to meeting your repayments, it is imperative that you know your monthly budget so that you do not overextend yourself. Once you know what you can afford to repay, you can begin to discuss the options with the dealership or car broker. By being precise and working out your budget, this may open up some makes and models you may have previously thought were out of your price range.
Know your existing car’s trade in value
When it comes to condition, market value sites like Redbook are simply that, an estimate. In determining the value of a trade-in price, the condition is everything when determining how to not get ripped off buying a car. Whether there has been a major accident, or you reversed into a tree, it will impact on your bottom line. Also, while that awesome custom paint job, fat rims, loud exhaust and customised interior might have made you the envy of all your mates, this may make the car less appealing for its next owner.
Returning your car to its stock form is the way you will receive top dollar for it from a car broker. However, if you can’t, then prepare yourself to get a lower price. When taking your car into the dealership to trade, they’ll have either a used-car manager or their technician take it for a spin. Then they will run the details through a database, which gives them a price to quote you.
Go the extra mile and speak to a new car broker
Buying a new car using a car broker in Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne helps to eliminate any chance of feeling unhappy with your decision. A car broker will take the time to work out exactly what you want from your vehicle and will ensure that what you are buying is a great car. At eCarz we are a trustworthy, honest and reliable team of car brokers in Brisbane. We take the hassle and stress out of buying a new car while saving you time and money. We are experts with extensive marketplace knowledge to ensure that you can purchase the car of your dreams at the best possible price. Buying a new car doesn’t have to mean dealing with dodgy used-car salespeople anymore!
Wondering how to buy a car without getting ripped off? Get in touch with our friendly team today and let us know what you are looking for. We can help guide you through the process of buying a new car and will ensure would love to make the car buying process straightforward for you.
Updated 20th January 2020