THE host of hit motoring show Wheeler Dealers has revealed how to haggle your way to a good deal when buying a car.
Mike Brewer shared the handy hacks in a YouTube interview with Car Dealer Magazine.
First of all, he recommended getting an independent valuation on the car you are going to view.
You can do this either by touring dealerships and checking the going rate for similar models or by taking advantage of online comparison tools from the comfort of your home.
This allows you to set a “target price” and means you know what the car is worth so you can spot a good deal or, more importantly, call out a rip-off.
Mike further suggested screenshotting some prices for similar cars elsewhere to take into the negotiating process and use as evidence for your haggling.
Secondly, he shared a tip from his time on the Discovery Channel show he presents.
He said: “Look out for any damage on the car.
“If there is any damage or stuff that needs repairing, you can negotiate the price down.
“I do it all the time on Wheeler Dealers, it’s what I’m looking for.”
Obviously this may mean you have to do some extra maintenance work to get your new motor into good condition but if you can get the price reduced by more than the expected repair bill, you’ve still walked away with a net profit.
Mike’s final piece of advice, though, is perhaps the most important but also the easiest to forget in the heat of the negotiations.
He advised: “Be polite…don’t walk in with a pair of boxing gloves on like you’re going to have a fight with someone.
“Don’t go in there and tell them a sob story….it’s not going to work with a car dealer.
“These are people who have got overheads, they’ve got a business, they’ve got staff…they have to pay the tax man. Just understand that when you’re doing a deal with them.”
It comes after Mike revealed the strain that 21 years of TV work had placed on his marriage and hinted at retirement.
Meanwhile, his co-star Marc Presley shared the “worst mistake” to make when buying your dream car.
