All motorists want to save money when shopping around for a used car, but many do not know the best ways to do this. With the right knowledge and a little patience, an-yone could drive away from the dealership happy, with a great car and plenty of cash left in their wallet.

Firstly, it is important to shop for used cars at reputable dealerships. Whilst a private seller may have lower asking prices, this can be a dangerous route to take as you could fall victim to a scam and you do not get the same level of consumer protection that you get from a used car dealer. So, how do you save money when shopping around?

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Stir Up Competition

One of the best tricks is to ask all the dealers in your local area what the best deal on your second-hand car of choice is. Once you have the best price, go back to the other dealers to see if they will match or even beat this price. Dealerships are eager to make sales and will (usually) drop prices to guarantee a sale.

Timing

You may not expect to save a large sum on a luxury brand like BMW when you shop at dealers like Imperial Cars, but you would be surprised just how much timing your purchase could assist financially. Dealers have targets to meet which are usually quar-terly, so look to buy in March, June, September or December for big savings and great finance packages. This could be a great way to invest in a car like a BMW which is of the highest standard and you know will not let you down. Although you want to save money, it is important to buy automobiles of the highest quality which are designed to last - this will save money in the long run too.

Part-Exchange

If you are changing automobiles, be sure to inquire about a part-exchange for your current car. This could help to slash the price whilst also eliminating the stress of at-tempting to sell your current automobile privately.

Negotiate

One of the best ways to save money on a second-hand automobile is to negotiate with the salesman. Many people shy away from haggling, but it can actually be quite easy (and even good fun). You simply need to have an ideal figure and a maximum which you do not go above and then be friendly yet firm with the salesman. With a little per-sistence, you could make big savings.

Finding the perfect second-hand car for affordable prices can be tough, but the above advice could help you to drive away without breaking the bank.