How to Buy a New Car in the UK

If you are in the UK and are tired of using public transportation, you may be ready for a new car purchase. Purchasing a new car in the UK is very similar to purchasing a new car in the United States. However, there are some unique aspects to buying a new car in the UK, such as the option to get a pre-registered new car. You can even haggle over the price of a new car in the UK.

Instructions

1

Open web browser window. Go to the WhatCar? website (see Resources) to their UK Car Dealer Directory. Select your make of car and enter in your city postcode to find a dealer near you.

2

Visit the local dealer that sells the car you are interested in. Prices will be on the windshield, or windscreen as it is called in the UK, of the car. This price is not firm, and haggling is accepted practice when buying a new car in the UK. The WhatCar? Target Price page (see Resources) can give you a good idea of how much you should pay for your new car.

3

Set up a test drive of a car that you are interested in. If you ask---and you may have to push---you can get an extended test drive of a half hour. This will allow you the chance to test the car on different road types in the UK.

4

Ask if the car you are interested in is pre-registered. Pre-registered cars are new cars that have been registered to the dealer. If you purchase and then re-sell one of these cars, you cannot claim to have been the only owner. Pre-registered cars are typically a bit cheaper than non-registered new cars. This is primarily due to them having a few miles as they may have been test-drive vehicles.

5

Inquire if road tax is included in the price. Road tax is the Vehicle Excise Duty, or VED, which is the vehicle license so that you can legally have it on the roads in the UK. If it is not included in the price, you will have to pay it to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, or DVLA. The fee is due yearly and varies depending on the vehicle. A paper disc is what you get as proof of payment. You have to clearly displayed it on the vehicle to avoid a fine.

6

Secure financing for your new car purchase. You can arrange financing with your bank in the UK or you can do financing through the dealer. You may want to check with the dealer to see if they have a financing special such as 0 percent.