How to haggle correctly when buying a car

Not all car enthusiasts have the opportunity to purchase a new car. Therefore, you have to look for cheaper options and opt for a used car.

You need to understand that you need to take seriously the inspection of the entire car, from A to Z. If you identify shortcomings in time, you can refuse an unwanted purchase or significantly reduce the price. In this article, we'll look at the ins and outs of purchasing a used vehicle, as well as how to negotiate properly when buying a car.

If you are calling about an advertisement for the sale of a car, you need to find out from the owner the general condition of the car and see if the seller is willing to bargain. After a telephone conversation, decide whether to go for an examination.

Before you start haggling, you should carefully inspect the car and look for small flaws for which the seller can reduce the price. Remember - bargaining must be reasoned!

Now let's look at how to inspect a car for the auction to be successful.

How to properly inspect a car before buying

1) Start the check by inspecting the body:

— Make sure there is no rust, scratches or dents on the body.

— The exterior paint should not differ in any way from the interior paint - for comparison, inspect the trunk and the inside of the doors.

— Also, there should be no traces of paint on the seals (rubber bands).

— Remove the seals and check for traces of welding or painting, inspect the trunk and front part for scars and chips.

2) Engine inspection:

— Check the hoses for cracks.

— Oil should not leak.

- Listen to how the engine works - there should not be any awkward sounds.

— Inspect the muffler - if the soot has a greasy and thick consistency, this will soon lead to the “death” of the engine.

3) Checking the gearbox and chassis of the car:

— Check the operation of the gearbox - to do this you need to drive the car. Switch automatic/mechanical back and forth (there should be no jolts or crunching noises).

— To check the shock absorbers, press hard on each wing. If in response the car rises, then lowers and rises again, everything is in order.

— To check the suspension you need to drive through water. If the traces of the rear treads coincide with the front ones, the car has not been in a serious accident.

4) Inspection of the interior and electronics:

— Inspect the interior for abrasions, all plastic should be in place. The seats must be intact and without stains.

— Check the auto light and the operation of the dashboard sensors.

If some of the car’s shortcomings don’t scare you, start from them and start reducing the cost of the car.

How to haggle correctly when buying a car

1) If the seller asks to name his price, this indicates that he is not sure of the declared value and can be used in negotiations. It is important to understand that buying a used car involves bargaining (as they say, there is always bargaining), and concessions must be made on both sides. The amount of the “compromise” depends on the minimum threshold that the car seller will agree to and the maximum ceiling that the buyer himself will measure against.

2) Start bidding based on the shortcomings of the car that were identified during the inspection. Tell the seller that a lot of time and money will need to be invested to get the car in good condition. Spare parts and maintenance are expensive now, hint that you are doing the seller a favor by buying a car with problems.

3) If the seller categorically does not want to give in, do not back down, soften and listen to the seller, try to understand why he does not reduce the price. After you have received an explanation, give your arguments why it is still worth reducing the price. For example, it could be “a slow-moving car”, “not in perfect condition”, “difficulties with spare parts”, etc., it is important that the seller believes you.

4) Re-inspect the car, thereby giving the seller some time to think.

5) Offer to buy a car “right now” when a person sees money and subconsciously makes a concession.

If you follow these tips, rest assured that you will buy a car for the amount you expected! Don't be afraid to bargain!

Bargaining when buying a used car: how to reduce the price of a used car

Almost all car owners, when putting their car up for sale, deliberately inflate its price in order to bargain during the inspection process. Perfect cars don't sell! And the sooner you comprehend this truth, the sooner you can choose the appropriate option. And we have compiled a guide for you on how to reduce the cost of a used car.

Alexey Petrin, auto expert:

“The most important thing you must remember when it comes to reducing the price of a used car is that haggling over the phone is strictly prohibited! Firstly, it is stupid to discuss the price without seeing the product. The price of junk cars for sale may be inflated by 100-150 thousand rubles, and in a telephone conversation you will bargain for 10,000 rubles. And why do you need this bucket of nails for a huge amount?

Secondly, you may scare off the seller. Few people want to enter into transactions with irresponsible resellers. By demanding a price reduction in absentia, this is exactly what you look like.”

How to reduce the price of a used car

It’s worth starting with your appearance and manner of dialogue. Be neat and polite, let this work to your advantage. Feel free to ask questions.

After a polite introduction and questioning the current owner with passion about all the shortcomings, proceed to inspecting the car:

Body. Do not agree to inspect a dirty car, especially in the dark - you will definitely miss something. Check with your nearest service center how much it costs to paint one element (from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles depending on the make of the car, service and region of inspection), to remove scratches on the windshield (from 1,000 to 5,000 rubles), and dents.
Engine compartment. You can only check something visually; for a full diagnosis, you need to take the car to a service center. It shouldn't be crystal clear under the hood. If the owner “licked” all the dust, it means there was something to hide: oil leaks in oil seals, cracks, seals, brake and any other fluids.
Vehicle interior. Check all switches, electronics, and adjustments for functionality.

Listen to the sound of the engine. Notice how the gears change. There should be no crunching, squealing, or grinding noises in any position on the manual transmission. The gears should engage the first time (unless, of course, you are a novice behind the wheel). Cars with a working automatic transmission do not jerk when changing gears. If this is not the case, the owner must concede at least the price of a new box.

Check to see if the car is pulling to the side. If so, then the car either needs a wheel alignment (from 2000 rubles), or its body geometry is damaged due to an accident. Then it is better to refuse the purchase altogether. Listen to how the suspension behaves: it should not rattle on bumps or “peck” when braking. The steering wheel should not vibrate, and there should be no clicks or crunches when turning.

If you find any of the above, it means that some of the hinges in the suspension are in critical condition, or it’s time to replace the shock absorbers. These are consumables - don't be alarmed! But the owner is obliged to reduce the price for replacing suspension elements.

Check your car through the Autocode online service. Check the car in advance and go to the inspection prepared. When meeting, ask questions to the seller, already knowing in advance where he is telling the truth and where he is lying. And then show the report. This will serve as a reason to reduce the price.

When bargaining when buying a used car, start by drawing the seller’s attention to all the breakdowns and errors that he kept silent about. During the inspection, add up in your mind the prices for eliminating defects. This will be the discount you request from the seller.

Ekaterina Lipatova, editor of the women's car portal Careta . info :

“Any detected defect should be a reason to reduce the value of the car: a chip, a scratch, a non-working light bulb, a broken switch, etc. And any significant problem is an argument in favor of refusing to purchase. Inspect the car carefully and save your nerves and money. The final cost of the car will depend on your ability to tactfully, but clearly show the seller the shortcomings of the car, which you, as the new owner, will have to eliminate. Learn to bargain with reason."

What to say when bargaining

Evaluate all similar offers on the market, compare prices. Many of the same cars with similar equipment, but at a lower cost should reduce the seller's ardor.

If the owner stubbornly insists on a high price, citing expensive additional equipment: a powerful audio system or satellite security, then offer to remove it. It is unlikely that the seller will do this, because it is usually not so simple. Besides, it's not profitable. Separate from the car, additional equipment costs a penny.

If the seller asks the question: “How much will you take it for?”, urgently take the initiative into your own hands. The owner doubts the price indicated in the ad! Based on how much time, effort and money you will now have to spend to bring the car to perfection, reduce the cost to an acceptable one.

What to do if the seller does not reduce the price

If the seller does not agree to bargain, be more cunning and turn to the laws of NLP. Listen carefully to him, smile, copy his pose, do not insist. Answer with your own reasons for lowering the price. Look the seller in the eyes, do not interrupt when he speaks. Use your knowledge of the automotive market and prices for used cars, spare parts and labor. But don't forget to actually research the market before doing so.

If politeness, psychology, visible defects of the car, the report of breakdowns from the service station did not help reduce the cost of the car, but you still like the car, then maybe these 10-15 thousand rubles are not so important? If, on the contrary, you do not feel love for the chosen car, then feel free to proceed to inspect the next one.

How to haggle correctly when buying a used car

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When buying a used car, it is worth considering that almost all sellers initially inflate the cost of the car. They do this in order to negotiate a deal during the inspection of the car. Remember that the perfect car will never be sold.

The sooner you realize this simple truth, the faster you can choose the right option. Every future car owner dreams of buying a great car as cheaply as possible. Check out these tips to help reduce the cost of your used car.

How to bargain correctly

Sometimes sellers ask to name the price that the buyer is willing to pay for the car. This usually indicates that the owner himself is not sure of the price he has assigned. This situation can play into the hands of the buyer and help reduce the cost. Buying a car second-hand almost always involves bargaining, so don’t miss the opportunity to save.

Remember that bargaining is primarily about concessions on both sides.

The bargaining should begin by pointing out the shortcomings of the car discovered during the inspection. An excellent argument would be that the car requires additional costs to bring it into proper condition. Subtly hint to the seller that maintenance and spare parts are quite expensive, and you are doing him a favor by buying a car with problems.
Sometimes car owners categorically do not agree to reduce the price. Do not rush to get upset, this does not mean that his decision is final. Listen to the seller and try to find out why he is not in the mood to bargain. After the seller has given his reasons, give him reasons for reducing the price. For example, scratches or problems with spare parts. Speak calmly and convincingly, because you are giving good reasons for the discount.
Inspect the car again. This will give the car owner time to think about reducing the price.
Apply a little manipulation by saying that if there is a discount, you are ready to make a purchase right now. Human psychology is designed in such a way that if he sees money, he is subconsciously ready to give in.

Most importantly, don't be shy about bargaining. By following these tips, you will certainly purchase a car for the amount you expect.

Why you need to bargain

Remember that the price shown on a used car is not final, so take every opportunity to get a discount. Since a used car has already been in use for some time, it has some shortcomings. It is not possible for a car that has already been used to remain new. As a rule, the seller tries to keep silent about the disadvantages of the car, so you yourself must pay attention to the shortcomings of the car.

How to bargain when buying a used car?

Buying a used car is a step-by-step process. It's worth taking a few minutes to review these steps to ensure your trade is successful. The last step is to negotiate the price; although some may be embarrassed to even ask for a discount. But why should this be confusing?

Isn't it embarrassing to negotiate price?

You cannot compare buying a used car with buying, say, a piece of furniture. You might ask why it's worth haggling when buying a car when you'd otherwise just pay what's on the sticker. The reason is that it is much more difficult to determine the real value of a used item compared to a brand new item. And when it comes to cars, it's even more complicated. Cars of a certain model were sold in different showrooms and in several versions, then they were used by different drivers on different roads, the cars could travel different distances, and finally they were serviced in different showrooms, which could be either better or worse. As a result, the cost of two identical models purchased from the same dealership will differ significantly after just a few years.

Real cost of a used car

Since you can't determine the real value of a used car based on simple indicators, the market will do the job. Simply put, a car is worth what the seller can get for it. The seller specifies the price he (or she) would like to receive, but you are more concerned about your interests than the interests of the seller. Also remember that professional dealers typically negotiate prices with their clients, so they will often offer a higher starting price because they expect you to try to lower it. This is one reason why you should definitely put in some effort and try to pay less if you buy a used car - there is no shame in such negotiations.

How to prepare for negotiations?

Before the discussion begins, make a list that includes as many arguments as possible for lowering the price. The best place to start is by researching the model you would like to buy. Check the typical defects, after what mileage they appear and what costs they cause - this will allow you to receive a discount taking into account future repair costs after you have carried out a technical examination of the car and read the service book. Also check out similar offers - this may be the easiest way to convince the seller. Most likely, the seller will decide to give a discount and sell the car rather than let you switch to a competitor.

At the point of purchase, ask for a test drive and make sure you can inspect the car in detail. There will always be some flaws, small or large, that can be used to get a discount.

Once you have prepared a list of arguments that will be used in negotiating price, ask yourself two final questions: “Am I sure I want to buy this car?” and “What is the highest price I am willing to pay for it?” Answering these questions is the key to success. Remember: before starting negotiations, you must know exactly what result you want to achieve. This will make it much easier to succeed.

How to bargain?

Before starting negotiations, get rid of aggression and negative feelings that you may have “collected” along the way. While this idea may sound like cheap philosophy, it is one of the most important pieces of advice for any negotiation. Put yourself in the seller's shoes - which buyer would you prefer to work with: polite or aggressive? Mind your manners and make sure you are making arguments rather than demands or even attacks.

At the beginning of negotiations, it is good to say: “I am interested in buying this car. It has certain disadvantages, so I can pay XXX for it.” This way, the seller will know from the very beginning that you want to buy the car, in other words, that he (or she) has the opportunity to sell it. This, together with a good list of arguments, should convince the seller to reduce the price for you. Remember that there is no point in using all your arguments in one go - it is better to keep a couple of aces up your sleeve in order to have counterarguments to the seller’s statements.

As a result, you will be no less prepared for negotiations than the seller and will have an apt answer to every argument, and the very length of the discussion will suggest that the car is actually quite faulty and is not worth the initial price.

It is important that the maximum you offer is still lower than the price you are actually willing to pay. Not a single seller in the world will agree with the price offered by the buyer - this is simply one of the rules of negotiation. Finally, when you have reached your desired price (i.e. no more than the maximum you were willing to pay), still ask the seller for a few minutes to think it over. During this time, try to think about what else you can get for this price: an accessory such as a GPS, or perhaps a longer warranty? Remember, you won't be the only one who will be happy when the negotiations finally end. The seller has already started thinking about how he or she will use your money, so it's more than likely that the seller will agree to an additional gift just to make sure you don't change your mind at the last minute. If the time for deliberation has already expired, begin the next round of negotiations by saying something like: “I am willing to agree to a price of XYZ provided that you add (your chosen add-on) to the car.”

What NOT to say during negotiations

First of all, the seller should not know whether you really want to buy the car. An experienced dealer will always notice that you have found the car of your dreams and are willing to pay the price offered by the seller. In this case, forget about the discount.

Secondly, don't say that you spent a long time looking for this particular model, or that you really like it. Be interested, but not too eagerly. Never mention that you are not sure whether you want the car or not - if the seller notices this, he (or she) will not offer you any discounts, since in the end it may not be worth the effort if you do not buy the car. Most likely, you will be offered another model, perhaps even cheaper, since the seller will earn money in any case, because each price has some margin.

Don't tell the seller how much money you have. This is one of the most common mistakes among car buyers. For example, if you tell the dealer, “I can pay up to 20,000 for a car,” what are the chances that if you find a car worth 18,900, the dealer will still offer you a discount? It’s unlikely, because you’ve already said how much money you can spend on a car, and this price is even less. So, if your budget is really 20,000, tell the dealer that you can pay anywhere from 15,000-17,000. Then if you find a car that costs 19,500 and want to get it for 17,000, chances are it's You will succeed.

Dealer's Tricks vs. Buyer's Tricks

One of the most widely used dealer tricks is to prolong negotiations. The seller agrees with the price you offer or a slightly higher one, but asks you to wait one more day, as he supposedly wants to consult with his boss (wife or any other owner of the car). During this extra day, you will imagine yourself driving your newly purchased car and what you will do with the money you managed to save. And finally you get a phone call from the salesman who says: “I’m sorry, but the boss or wife only agreed to half the discount we agreed on.” After 24 hours, during which you have already “seen” your new car parked near your workplace or home, you will most likely agree to a higher price. Thus, you will save only half the amount you agreed on.

A popular buyer's trick is to show cash, but this works best if you are buying from a private seller rather than a professional dealer. When you are 100% sure that you want to buy this particular car, take cash with you to your next meeting with the seller, show it during negotiations and say: “I am buying this car, but the price I pay must be XYZ , because, as I already said, the car has certain disadvantages. I’m a serious buyer and have already prepared cash, look.” The seller (who also knows about these tricks) may simply want to take the money (which you have already shown him), because he knows that even if you pay less, you can do it right now.

Does negotiation always work? Of course not. There are many more possible scenarios—and more different types of people—than you might imagine. One seller will refuse to give even a small discount on a car worth 50,000, while another may agree that you pay 21,000 for a car whose starting price was 25,000 if you offered 20,000. Uncertainty is a common feature of negotiations, so don't refuse them only because you are not sure of the results, since the money you can save if everything goes well is really worth the effort.

How to reduce the price when buying a used car?

Who among us doesn't want to save money? Especially on such an expensive purchase as a car. You can also bargain when purchasing a new car from an official dealer. But it all depends on the seller, and the client has no arguments to reduce the price: the car is just off the assembly line. Another thing is the secondary market. There are different copies here, and not a single one is without shortcomings.

The reseller, of course, will bargain shamelessly, even despite real shortcomings - simply by virtue of his profession. Our material is designed for ordinary buyers and sellers who, we want to believe, approach the process adequately. The author of these lines is just one of those: I bought and sold a lot of used cars of different classes and ages, but all exclusively for personal use. This is just a personal opinion, but based on experience and, I would like to believe, balanced.

Documents for the car

Fitting for any used car should begin with checking the documents. Problems with them may turn out to be insoluble, and you will lose your expensive purchase instantly - and legally. And you won’t get your money back. This is not even a reason for bargaining, but for refusing an option. But this is in the case of outright crime.

There are other nuances, such as an abundance of owners or a duplicate title for a completely new car, or incorrect indication of engine power. It depends on your luck: maybe it’s nothing terrible, or maybe there really is a murky story behind it. For example, a car changed owners due to constant breakdowns, a duplicate was received in return for one given to the bank as collateral, and incorrect power indicates replacement of units or documents.

Are you ready to take a risk? I’m not trying to dissuade you, but at least bring the price into line with the degree of risk. After all, this is probably not the only option on the market and there are alternatives with hassle-free documents.

The body is the most expensive part of the structure. Replacing it with an ideal one costs incredible amounts of money, and it is often impossible to put the existing one in order. As in the case of problems with documents, it is better to bypass an obvious “corpse” without bargaining.

On a car that is a year or two old, a potential buyer has the right to point out the abundance of repainted parts. One or two are normal for a metropolis, but a larger number indicates a difficult life. Traces of unqualified repairs on a car under warranty are a reason for a large bargain or refusal to purchase. If they didn’t spare him from a young age in serious matters, then they probably didn’t care about the little things either.

But you shouldn’t demand ideality from a specimen that’s 15 or more years old. A smooth body in original paint is an exception here, and they usually ask for the appropriate amount of money for such a car. Putting pressure on the seller by pointing out the complete or partial repainting of the “old lady” is wrong and is unlikely to lead to the desired result.

Modern engines often require serious repairs already during the warranty period and at mileages of up to 100,000 km. The same can be said for some types of transmissions. There are still many cars from the era of “millionaires” still alive, but their mileage has just reached the point where the life of the units is running out. If they show signs of ill health, and this does not affect the price of the car, ask for a discount.

This could be unstable engine operation, the “wrong” exhaust color, jerking in the transmission, and much more. The main thing is not to forget that you are buying a vehicle to drive, and not to park it, saving money for service. To make an adequate assessment before purchasing, it is useful to find out what is wrong with the units of the model you like, and how much they charge for their resuscitation. But when the car feels great, and you are furiously haggling over possible breakdowns in the future, it looks stupid. If you are so afraid of buying a problem car, it is better to contact the dealer for a new car under warranty.

The situation with the suspension is ambiguous. For our roads, this is a consumable, so, in my opinion, it is incorrect to bargain because of knocks and squeaks in it. Well, perhaps except for the option when the sounds indicate the complete demise of everything, otherwise some people want to get a discount for worn stabilizer struts.

Of course, there are exceptions. For example, a “dead” chassis on a fresh car does not indicate anything good. Since the owner killed her at an accelerated pace, it would be fair to compensate the next owner with a good discount. In the case of malfunctions of an expensive pneuma, there is also a reason for bargaining. Repairing it will cost a pretty penny even using non-original spare parts.

The chassis and components wear out naturally, and the body can suffer damage in accidents through no fault of the owner. But only the owner is responsible for the condition of the interior. In my opinion, dirty seats, carpets and plastic are more than a significant argument for bargaining. With proper care, they can remain ideal even after a mileage of several hundred thousand kilometers. Therefore, it is worth getting at least compensation for the upcoming global dry cleaning.

Torn upholstery is repaired quickly and even the color and texture of the material is selected. This is a small problem, but eliminating one small defect will cost at least 1500-2000 rubles. More shortcomings - more money. You wouldn’t be pleased to sit in a tattered interior every day, would you?

With deep scratches on plastic, the situation is not so positive. It is not always possible to eliminate them, and the result of the work does not always remain invisible. And replacing a dashboard is not a cheap pleasure, even if you find the part at a disassembly site.

Other faults

Finally, all kinds of options and small details. An obvious reason for bargaining is faults that prevent the car from passing the MOT and registration procedure. To replace a roaring exhaust, cracked windshield, broken or broken optics, it’s not a sin to ask for a discount. In the latter case, we are, of course, not talking about haggling for a hundred rubles for a non-working light bulb, but about a dead LED flashlight, which can be replaced as an assembly and costs more than three kopecks. These investments await the new owner immediately after purchase. Bargaining for non-working “bells and whistles” depends primarily on the age of purchase. Everything should work on a new car; an older car is allowed to have shortcomings in this area. Also consider the severity of the faults. For example, in the absence of air conditioning, dead window regulators are a big problem, and it will also have to be solved immediately. For this, it would be correct to give in in price.

Often, car enthusiasts get rid of their car shortly before a major and expensive maintenance. The buyer should find out in advance when the next service is coming and how long it will take. It is unlikely that you will be able to get a discount in the amount of its cost: that’s the purpose of transferring the investment to other shoulders. And on other points, the positions of the seller and the buyer may not agree. But reasoned bargaining still looks more pleasant than an unreasonable desire to pick up a car at half price.

How much can you bargain? If we get lucky. In the end, it all depends on the seller’s desire to sell the car as quickly as possible. In general, you can count on a discount of 5 to 20%. Of course, major repairs can cost a lot of money, but it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to save it. Rather, the seller will try to disguise it more thoroughly before the next viewings.