[VIC] Tips on Buying a Used Car from A Dealer

Melb69 on 01/06/2022 - 21:46
Last edited 01/06/2022 - 22:38 by 1 other user

Looking at a 4 year old low Km car in Vic with a dealer.

Dealer asking for a deposit to secure it with no strings attached. Supposedly. How can I not get scammed?

I want to test drive the car and have it mechanically checked, but can't inspect till the weekend. They have verbally said it has not been in an accident or a repairable write off. Can I ask them for paperwork to confirm that is actually the case?

Assume I should negotiate the price first before committing any deposit. They have indicated if I make a partial payment in cash they can waiver the 1k in delivery fee.

Need to get mech inspection. RWC should come with the car. Already looked at insurance. Anything else to get from them or check?

Thanks in advance for any constructive comments.

Automotive

Comments

  • pegaxs on 01/06/2022 - 21:48
    +6

    No such thing as “no strings attached” at a dealer…

    Yes, you can ask for a copy of the PPSR, most dealers will have it on file. That will give you the written off history. If it has been a written off vehicle, legally they have to inform you of such.

    Yes, you haggle out a price. The deposit comes after the haggling and at the time of signing the contract of sale. Never give them more than they are entitled to keep if you back out of the contract. It will be written on the back of the contract. It will say something like 1.4% or $250. If they want more, say no.

    Yes, get a mechanical inspection done if you are not competent enough in your own skills to do it yourself.

    If it comes with rego, it should come with a RWC. You are supposed to supply one as per VicRoads rules, but they let it slide most of the time. If you are worried about the RWC, then make that part of the contract.

    Anything else you should know: Yes. If it comes out of the sales guys mouth, get it in writing. If it’s not on the contract of sale, it never happened. If he makes a promise/offer/confirms something, get it written on the sales contract.

    Be realistic with your offer. Search around and do your homework on what the vehicle is selling for around your area and go in with that knowledge. Don’t go in with expectations of 25+% off…

    Lastly, tell them to jam the “dealer delivery” fee up their arse. That is nothing but them just adding another layer of cream and making it sound like a legal obligation. Or a bullshit fee they take off later to make it sound like they are doing you a favour.

    • pe arl on 01/06/2022 - 22:31
      +3

      If it comes out of the sales guys mouth, get it in writing. If it’s not on the contract of sale, it never happened. If he makes a promise/offer/confirms something, get it written on the sales contract.

      This. During negotiations I asked for a full tank of fuel which they begrudgingly accepted, and guess what, when I come to collect the car their fuel bowser is conveniently out of order - sorry, we couldn't fill it up. They also didn't add the "bonus" 3-month rego they verbally said they'd throw in. These were the only 2 things that I didn't get in writing, so lesson learned. Take notes during negotiations if you have to, and ask them to include every single thing in writing.

      • Melb69 on 01/06/2022 - 22:45

        Oh yeah. Ill try that for the fuel, but it's a small tank anyway.

    • Melb69 on 01/06/2022 - 22:35
      +1

      Pegs always appreciate your thoughts. Was hoping you would comment first and you did. The pricing is high, but then again not many models available that I am after or in Vic. The one I am looking at looks like its in exceptional condition. 1 owner full service history, Only 30k odd kms for a 2018. Will work harder on the price then and get it all in writing.

      • spackbace on 02/06/2022 - 12:58

        Only 30k odd kms for a 2018.

        Have you checked on new car stock for that model? Just asking because in the current market, even something 4 years old is likely not too far off new car pricing

        • Melb69 on 02/06/2022 - 19:33

          The issue is no new car stock and long leadtimes. Some sellers price gouging. Some used cars now worth more than original price.

    • SF3 on 01/06/2022 - 22:37
      +1

      “dealer delivery” fee up their arse

      In OP's case the car is already there… It'll just be an expensive car wash (if any).

      • Melb69 on 01/06/2022 - 22:40

        Agree. Looks like it has had a detail already. It's a very clean looking car. Maybe it needs an interior clean. It's now straight into winter, so they'll need to keep washing it.

    • spackbace on 02/06/2022 - 12:59

      Lastly, tell them to jam the “dealer delivery” fee up their arse.

      I've never heard of DD for a used car…!

  • randomusername2017 on 01/06/2022 - 22:15

    Make sure they take their product out before taking possession…

    • Melb69 on 01/06/2022 - 22:37

      Product. You mean promo number plate surrounds. That's the least of my worries at this point. I need to battle the smooth operator young sales person.

  • dtc on 01/06/2022 - 22:43
    +5

    Remember your strongest bargaining leverage is the ability to 'say no' and walk away. If you arent getting what you want, the car is a bit dodgy or whatever, just walk away. There are other cars, even at the moment.

    There are heaps of people with heaps of opinions on the approach to take. Best approach in my view is to make a reasonable offer that is very close to your final offer, and be willing to move a little bit but otherwise just walk away. Keep it simple. People say play dealers off against each other and do this sneaky thing and that manipulation, and if you want to spend the time and effort on that then go for it. But you will likely get just as good a deal by saying 'I want this, this is my offer' and walking out if you dont get it.

    • Melb69 on 01/06/2022 - 22:57

      Thanks for the tip

  • aoeueoa on 01/06/2022 - 22:54

    You can't take their word on whether its been in an accident or not. They won't put that in writing. There's no way of knowing if it has if the repair has been thorough. They're more saying "I can't tell if it's been in an accident based on me looking at the car from a distance of 100m".

    • Melb69 on 01/06/2022 - 23:00

      Good point. In their add it states accident free vehicle. Does sound like a bold claim. Supposedly the female owner needed to upgrade as a fam. on way.

  • Overclocked91 on 02/06/2022 - 06:14

    Use PPSR/REVS to confirm it has no accident or finance history. I wouldn't put a deposit down on a car unless I have driven it and I'm happy with the car and price.

    • MS Paint on 02/06/2022 - 11:26

      Use PPSR/REVS to confirm it has no accident or finance history

      Does that show accident history?
      So what if it was financed in the past? That's now the dealers problem. The dealer owns the car at the moment.

      • Euphemistic on 02/06/2022 - 11:57
        +2

        It won’t show minor accidents or anything that didn’t cause it to get written off.

        It’s only necessary to know if it’s under finance now - which being from a dealer it legally can’t be.

  • Euphemistic on 02/06/2022 - 11:56
    +2

    Don’t pay a deposit until after inspection, test drive etc. if they want some sort of holding deposit to wait until the weekend, don’t. It’s a used car, another will come along if someone else does buy it before you get there.

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