Wheeler Dealers host reveals five worst things to say to a car dealer… a slip of the tongue could cost you hundreds
WHEELER DEALERS host Mike Brewer has revealed the five worst things you can say to a car dealer – a slip up could cost you hundreds.
The TV star urged viewers to be cautious when buying their next motor in a YouTube interview with Car Dealer Magazine.
Mike said: “That’s a good one because I’ve had a lot of bad things said to me as a car dealer.
“Don’t go in there like you’re going in to have a fight with somebody.
“These people are usually really nice, I know lots of car dealers and they’re all lovely people.”
The first gaffe he warned against was going into a dealership without knowing what your budget is.
He likened the error to going into a supermarket and filling up your trolley without knowing whether or not you can afford all the items.
This could result in a dealer trying to sell you a high-end vehicle that you can’t necessarily pay for, which just wastes everybody’s time.
Likewise, Mike urged customers not to offer a “stupidly low price” as it likely won’t do anything but insult the dealer.
On the flip side of that, he warned against weakening your negotiating position in the other extreme by going in and raving about how much you love the car that’s being offered.
If a dealer knows you are completely dead set on a particular motor, they have absolutely no incentive to keep your costs down.
Mike admitted he was guilty of making the same mistake and can tell you from experience that it won’t help you get any discounts.
Thirdly, you should never used the dreaded phrase: “I can find that car cheaper elsewhere.”
According to Mike, all you will get in response is told to go and buy the supposed cheaper car rather than the dealer you are with knocking any money off.
Fourthly, Mike said: “Don’t moan if the dealer offers you less than you expected for your part exchange.
“The dealer has to take the risk and the gamble on the part exchange.
“Don’t be insulted if it’s a little bit less than you might get privately or through retail.”
And finally, never ask if a car is “genuine” in terms of the mileage or if the odometer has been tampered with.
No reputable dealer will do this and if the mileage can’t be verified they are legally required to put a sticker stating as much on the dashboard.
You can also check the car’s MOT history for free online at gov.uk.
Just search “DVLA registration check” and you can put in the plate number and access the full history, including the mileage at each test.
It comes after a Ford Capri that had been locked away by an owner who “hated” it for 30 years went up for auction.
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