How can you compare the operating costs of different models in the parking lot and in the car

Check as many dealers as possible and let them compete with each other

Please ask all dealers in your area to offer the best price for the used car of your choice. If you are going to travel far to find a lowest price, expand your radius. Write down the best price and ask others to beat it.

You can always go back to your local dealer and ask if they meet the best offer. They may be interested in your cash and are willing to offer the same transaction.

Always bargain!

Bargaining is not just for the Backstreet Market, it's a classic skill for a businessman – and an expectation for you – so try to bargain and play Arthur Daley in your game. The first rule is that you should never pay the price of a car - it is a fool to pay the full price (unless you buy it online, where your bargaining opportunities are limited!).

Arm yourself with the cheapest internet price and let the dealers compete for your custom - what car? List the convenient "target" prices for all new cars. Print this out and stick to it in the negotiations.

Bargaining can be daunting, even for tough monetarists, there is nothing to be afraid of. Here are some of Martin's top strategies (see our bargaining guide for more).

Beginners' bargaining - let them throw things for free. Dealers often say they don't allow discounts, but if you are new to bargaining, a simple starting point is asking them to throw things at the top. Whether it's free satellite navigation or a floor mat, if you need an add-on, try not to pay extra for it.

Look for cars that have already been discounted. If the price has dropped, there will usually be more flexibility. The boundaries have been relaxed, and the psychological losses of salespeople have also decreased because they have given up on the idea of getting the full price.

Don't fill up with silence. As the negotiations draw to a close, a classic sales technique is to remain silent. They want you to accept this price just to fill the embarrassing silence. Let them fill in with cheaper quotes.

Go away - let them call you back. Psychologically, if they have to chase you, not because you are too enthusiastic, then they are more likely to reach a better deal.

Disadvantages mean discounts. Look for the smallest dents or scratches. This makes them harder to whip, but still driving perfectly. Come on!

Let them compete with each other. This has been discussed in the above point, but it is worth mentioning. In order to really raise the level of bargaining, don't target dealers in isolation. Try to use a number to provoke the other party. This has two advantages: it gives you a solid foundation that inspires your competitive instinct because they want to prove that they are better than their opponents.

Be friendly, but be firm. If the employee sympathizes with you, you are more likely to get results. If you are polite, charismatic, and treat the whole process with humor, you will go further.

Pay attention to the "hammer" effect. Bargaining on the price of the car, then the dealer may charge more financial fees. In financial bargaining, the price of a car may have no room for maneuver. It is worth doing your sum and seeing how much each savings from bargaining will be - and taking the most valuable.

Seeking the sun, you can get the moon. Remember, doing it with humor, doing it with style, without any price or advice is too much. You can bargain almost anywhere.

Money saving success story

Don't sign on this day - go away. In the next few days, you will receive a call/email, have a better deal... My target deal is done, a discount of ￡2,000 and a 2.9% April Ford Fiesta. April was 4.9%, but when I left, they fell to 2.9%.

If you buy it privately, there is no harm in sending a price. The worst thing they can say is that they can't, even if you walk away, if there is no interest, the seller can call you back.