Tips before buying a car from a dealership
Buying a new or used car can be an overwhelming and stressful experience. Many vehicle salespeople will try to persuade you to buy something immediately, therefore, it’s crucial to have information on the cars you're interested in, your budget range, and the value of your trade-in, if you have one, on hand. If you have all these, you now have all of the knowledge you need to negotiate successfully.
Here are 10 useful tips and tactics to help you get the best car deal at the best price:
1. Research financing options
Before going to any dealership, figure out how much of a deposit you can afford and how much of a monthly payment you can manage. It's also a good idea to conduct some research on available vehicle loans to see what you're eligible for.
2. Find out what’s your credit score
Knowing your credit score might also be beneficial. Knowing your credit report and score, as well as the available interest rates, can help you negotiate a better deal and save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
3. Be sure to shop around
Instead of entering a dealership unprepared, do some research on the cars you're interested in. Do an online search on ‘best cars for family’ or ‘best cars for city drive’ before narrowing down your options.
4. Compare prices
Instead of entering a dealership unprepared, do some research on the cars you're interested in. Do an online search on ‘best cars for family’ or ‘best cars for city drive’ before narrowing down your options.
5. Find out what’s your trade-in value
Don't wait for the salesperson to tell you the value of your trade-in – always find out first. CarZ World offers the best trade-in value in the market to our customers. To learn more, simply get in contact with us.
6. Go for a test drive
Chances are if you're familiar with a certain model, you might wish to skip the test drive. It's a good idea to inspect and test drive the car to ensure that everything works well and that there are no glaring squeaks, rattles, or shimmies that could cause problems after you buy it.
7. Check up on car model history
Before visiting a dealership, look up customer reviews to avoid an unpleasant experience. However, just because a car is from a well-known and well-reviewed dealer, it does not mean that it is free of issues. As a result, it's a good idea to dig a little deeper, especially if the car is preloved.
We also recommend going through Sgcarmart or Reddit forums and getting word-of-mouth recommendations. For instance, if you’re interested in getting an older model of Honda Civic, check out what their owners have to say about their experience driving the car model and see whether there’s a common red flag about the vehicle’s performance.
8. Ask about repair records
If you are looking to buy a pre-owned vehicle, do check the repair history of the specific model of vehicle you're interested in to see if it is known to be dependable.
9. Get a proper inspection by a mechanic
Inform the dealer that you demand a mechanic's inspection before purchase to guarantee there are no issues, especially with used cars. While a mechanic may charge $100 or more for such an inspection, it may be worthwhile if it saves you thousands of dollars in repairs. With used cars, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
At CarZ World, we provide the inspection service done by authorized inspection centre in Singapore, upon request.
10. Get to know your rights
Take the time to understand the warranty and return policies for any new or used car. Is it necessary to extend the warranty? If so, what does it cover? Always take the time to read the fine print before committing to purchasing a car. Knowing all of this will assist you in the event of a problem.
As a consumer, it is also helpful to educate yourself on Singapore ‘lemon law’, which safeguards customers from merchants that sell faulty products. Unless the retailer can show otherwise, it is assumed that a problem existed at the time of sale if it manifests itself within six months of purchase. Read more on the lemon law here.
Conclusion
Shopping for a car might be intimidating, but with proper research and planning, you will not be disappointed. Need help selecting the right car model for your lifestyle, needs and budget? Get in touch with us and we’ll help you make your decision! Our sales consultant will give you the best advice that is most suited to your needs.
