Are you wondering if buying an ex-demonstrator car is a good deal? đ¤ An ex-demo car is a model thatâs been on display and has been taken out for test drives by other customers. While the ex-demo car has maybe covered a few thousand miles, itâs still in great condition and dealerships sell them at a discount. If youâre thinking of getting an ex-demonstrator car, hereâs what you need to know.
Car dealers want to acquire the latest models and place them in their showrooms. To do this, they first have to remove the older models by selling them at a discounted price. Usually, ex-demo cars are high-spec models since car dealers want to be able to show the best packages and options to buyers. Imagine getting upgraded infotainment and other nice features at a lower price.
You might be hesitant to buy an ex-demo car since itâs already considered âused.â However, these models are normally kept in great condition. You can expect them to not have any dents or damage. But just to give yourself peace of mind, itâs still advisable to inspect ex-demo cars thoroughly before you make the purchase. Itâs possible that the car may have picked up some imperfections while they were taken out for test drives.
Typically, ex-demonstrator cars have covered a few thousand miles but it would be much less compared to secondhand cars of the same model. So we can say that theyâre much ânewerâ than their used counterparts in the secondhand car market. If you plan to sell the car in the future, you might be able to get a better selling price from it since it hasnât covered as many miles as a typical used vehicle.
An ex-demo car seems like a great option but you still need to weigh the pros and cons of buying an ex-demonstrator car before purchasing one. Here are some of the disadvantages to consider.
For every dealership, there are only a few ex-demo cars to choose from, especially if itâs a small car dealership. The best way to save time while shopping for an ex-demo car is to go online and search for dealerships selling ex-demonstrator cars. When youâve narrowed down your choices, you may then visit the dealership to inspect the vehicle up close.
Depending on the model, some ex-demo cars may have more mileage covered than others. This is true for more popular models. If you think this is something you are not comfortable with, then maybe itâs better to buy a brand new car than go for an ex-demo vehicle. But if you want something thatâs not as expensive as a new car but in a much better condition than a used vehicle, then ex-demonstrator cars are definitely something to consider.
Keep in mind that the manufacturerâs warranty begins as soon as the car has been registered to the dealership. When buying an ex-demonstrator car, itâs possible that itâs been in the showroom for a couple of months already. This means that the warranty is already a few months in and you havenât even been able to drive the car yet. Some buyers might be discouraged by this fact while others wouldnât mind it at all. Nevertheless, this is something that you need to be aware of and a factor to consider when buying an ex-demo car.
When buying an ex-demonstrator car, check it thoroughly as you would any secondhand vehicle. Whilst they are typically in better condition than used cars, itâs still important to do the essential checks to make sure that youâre getting the best value for your money. Here are the key checks to perform when buying an ex-demo car.
As the heart of the vehicle, itâs crucial to make sure that the engine is in good condition. There shouldnât be any leaks in, around, as well as under the engine. Itâs expected that an ex-demo car is well-maintained but itâs still worth checking the car for any faults and flaws.
For this check, youâre going to have to take the car for a test drive. You wonât be able to check the gearbox and clutch just by looking at them. Itâs important that you know what it feels like to control them. The gearbox should be able to engage all gears quietly and smoothly. If you hear any noise or it behaves in a strange way, then somethingâs wrong.
Remember that ex-demo cars have been used so itâs important to check the tyres as well. Even if they have less mileage covered than a typical secondhand vehicle, you still need to look for any signs of damage. Do this for each wheel including the spare. See to it that they arenât bent and that they donât have dents in the rims. If there are any, then they would need repairing or even replacing.
Typically, since youâre buying the ex-demo car from a dealership, you donât have to worry too much about the paperwork compared to say, buying from a private seller whom you donât know. But itâs still part of the checks you have to perform. Check that the details of the vehicle match those recorded on the documents.
Ex-demo cars are a great option if you want to get a high-spec vehicle at a discounted price. They are more affordable than brand new cars but in much better shape than the usual secondhand vehicles. But before you buy one, make sure that you perform all the necessary checks so that you know youâre getting the best value for your money. đđ