Over 330,000 car sales happened September, effectively bringing totals up to under one per cent short of one year ago and outperforming industry expectations, new figures have revealed. According to the monthly round-up from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the September plate change resulted in 332,476 new cars being registered.
SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said of the figures: “We expected 2011 to be a challenging year and we are on track for a full year total of around 1.92 million new car registrations, five per cent below 2010. SMMT has revised down its 2012 registrations forecast to 1.96 million units, a reflection of the continued weakness in UK domestic demand and the uncertainty across European economies.”
Rather unsurprisingly, Ford maintained its grip on the market and the Fiesta was one of the best-selling new cars in 2011, followed by the Ford Focus. It stands to reason, then, that the market is increasingly targeting buyers to stimulate it in the long-term. Do you want to take advantage of this shift in market power? Here are some great tips for you to follow to get the best deal you can.
Buying on the internet
You could save thousands of pounds by visiting dealer websites such as Evans Halshaw before comparing prices with the showroom. Shop around online using search engines, price comparison websites and all manner of auction pages to see what deals you can get there; if you want to save yourself the hassle of following through with these kind of resources, you can always use your new-found knowledge as a bargaining chip when you head into your nearest dealership!
The best time to buy
There are a number of excellent times to invest in cars, and traditionally people find it best to buy in March and September, when new registration plate numbers are released. However, dealers are usually at their busiest here, so pre-delivery inspections and other such issues can be rushed and deliver poor-quality service. If you buy either side of Christmas, however, showrooms are often deserted because people have a lot less in the way of money. Consider also investing towards the end of the month or quarter, as this is when dealers struggle to sell enough new cars to earn bonus payments.
Getting that all-important discount
Dealerships will usually not give you a discount unless you ask for it; after then, it’s a game of bartering. See what kind of extras you can get packed into the deal, whether they’re standard equipment upgrades, breakdown cover or insurance. If you’re under 21, getting hold of free insurance could be particularly good value.
Paying for your car
Banks, building societies and dealers themselves are all happy to outdo each other with special packages tailored to the driver. The types of package offered include personal loans, so the best thing to do is shop around and take the time necessary to ensure you understand the small print.