Once you decide to go through me for your loan, simply select your preferred loan from the quote tool and email or upload your Licence (and your last two payslips for consumer loans).

– I review the application to ensure there are no potential speed bumps.
– I submit your application to the best lender for your needs.
– Once approved, we’ll need the car details. If you buy from a dealership, forward the contract they provide. For a private sale, send a link to the advert or the seller’s contact information.
– We’ll also need a tax invoice from the dealership or an inspection report from the seller (usually requested by me).
– Finance companies require Fully Comprehensive Insurance before issuing loan contracts. The insurance must list the Rego number or Vin number, the person’s name financing it, and the interested finance company.
– When getting a quote (from insurers like AAMI, Youi, Budget, etc.), select “yes” to the asset being financed and choose our approved lender on the next screen.
– Forward the insurance policy email to me once paid; finance companies don’t accept screenshots or policy numbers alone.

I will then send you the loan contracts, with most lenders offering e-sign for mobile convenience.

– I upload the file to the lender, who settles the loan and pays the seller.
– Some lenders pay “real-time” directly to the seller, while others pay overnight.
– I email the remittance advice to the seller as proof of payment.

This process can vary in speed. Each lender differs in approval and settlement times, which the quote tool indicates.

Loans can be approved with funds in your account within 2-3 hours, but realistically, the entire process typically takes 2-3 days from start to finish. The quote tool provides expected timescales for each lender, and personal loans tend to be quicker.

While my software can generate a system-approved email from a lender within minutes, official approval requires verification of payslips and IDs by a human, which can take additional hours.

– I avoid advertising 60-second pre-approvals because they can be misleading. Lenders need thorough verification before final approval.
– Similarly, I don’t promote specific rates because eligibility depends on various factors. Extremely low rates often advertised are typically for profiles with very high income, existing homeownership, ultra-high credit scores, and substantial financing for new electric vehicles—profiles I rarely encounter.

I prioritize transparency with rates, visible when you receive a quote. The rate dynamically adjusts as you input your details. My software processes thousands of calculations based on your information to predict the likely rate from your chosen lender based on your profile.

I understand your concerns about entering your bank’s online banking details. It’s important to note that I hold an account with a trusted company called Ilion, which I’ve been using for more than 6 years without any issues. While not required for every deal, some lenders may request access to these details. The reports from Ilion are reliable, and I’m happy to provide them upon request.

Here’s how the process typically works:
– I email or text you a secure link. When you complete the link, I receive a PDF via email containing your last 3, 6, or 12 months of banking transactions, depending on the specific link used.
– These reports are often necessary for personal loans, larger business loans, short-term ABN holders, or in cases where there’s a discrepancy on your credit file. They can significantly impact the approval process, and I’ll explore alternative options if they don’t support your case.
– As a broker, my goal is always to secure the best approval for you, leveraging all available resources responsibly.

If you’d like to learn more or do further research, you can visit their website at www.bankstatements.com.au.

I can offer loan protection, although it’s been some time since I’ve written a policy. In the past, my clients would opt for a group policy covering all their financial commitments if something went wrong. Here are a few reasons to consider:

– If I set it up, it would cover only the loan I arrange, not your other commitments.
– Typically, it’s cheaper for you to obtain coverage directly online compared to what I can provide.
– Many people already have insurance through their Superannuation, so it’s wise to explore that option before duplicating coverage. You might consider switching to a Super company offering better terms if your current provider doesn’t meet your needs.

It’s essential to weigh these factors carefully to ensure you have the right level of protection for your financial situation.

Due to the setup fees and exit fees charged by dealerships, even if my interest rate is 2-3% lower, depending on factors like the number of payments made and the financed amount, I might not always be the cheapest option (considering compounding interest).

Feel free to provide me with a payout figure, the contract signing date, and current payments. I’ll review these details and get back to you to determine if switching would save you money.

If your priority is to lower your repayments, I can also provide you with various scenarios to consider. Let me know how I can assist you further.

As a broker, I can access a “Soft Check” on your credit file:
– This check doesn’t appear on your credit file or affect your credit score.
– It provides comprehensive information, often more than what some lenders can see.
– I’m happy to share this report with you upon request while maintaining confidentiality.

Most lenders will leave a mark on your credit file with a pre-approval:
– A few lenders within a short timeframe won’t significantly damage your credit score.
– I adopt a proactive approach: I contact lenders to discuss potential issues before submitting an application.
– This approach may take longer but can prevent unnecessary hits on your credit file.

Loans under $5,000 from payday lenders like Cash Converters or Wallet Wizard can damage your credit file:
– These loans, known as hardship loans, are regulated differently and can affect your credit within the last 6 months.
– Afterpay and ZipPay generally do not cause issues with credit files or finance applications.

Applying for multiple loans in a short period can lower your credit score:
– This can impact the interest rate you qualify for.
– It’s important to be cautious online; some applications are lodged unintentionally.

I’m committed to guiding you through these considerations to protect your credit health and help you secure the best financial options available.

Sometimes, car dealerships’ finance deals are cheaper than ours. For example, suppose you’re buying a new BMW, Mercedes, Toyota etc. In that case, the manufacturer may use their own money, which is not returning them as much interest in their motherland. In saying that, they are normally only cheaper on brand-new cars to encourage new sales that you might see advertised sometimes. But with me having far more lenders all fighting for your business, most of the time, I beat them, especially on used cars.

Keep an eye out for 0% or 1.99% deals, etc. I remember once a new ute was for sale, priced at $58,888 with a 0% finance offer. The following month, the 0% offer finished, and the same ute was listed for sale at $48,888. The scary thing is that the dealership sold more of the utes in the first month than in the second month. I know this because I was working at the dealership at the time! (On a ute, if it is business use, interest may be a tax deduction).

Manufacturers sometimes offer “Guaranteed future value” deals on new cars. Check out their website to see if there are any current offers. To be fair, this can be a great product if you want the lowest possible payments and no risk at the end because, if the Kms, servicing and condition are as per the agreement, at the end of the term, you hand back the car. And walk away with nothing. This product is just a loan with a residual with the dealership saying they will buy back the car for the agreed price. Some people like the low-risk aspect, while others don’t like the forced residual payment.

Every dealership is different. There are some great operators out there. But unfortunately, there are still some that will say and do anything to get the deal. I recommend Googling the dealership before you do anything else. This will give you feedback from their previous clients and show if their priorities are on profit or clients. Asking the dealership for a quote and depending on how they respond will give you an instant idea of their ethics. How did they calculate the payments if they give you payments but won’t give a rate? The reality is that most dealerships (not all) have a floor plan (a loan for their stock), which means they are likely to use that lender for their finance. So if they know your profile and the car you are looking at, there is no innocent reason I can see why they can’t give an accurate rate within minutes.

As you can see on our quote tool, you can get all the relevant figures across our panel of over 40 lenders in just a few minutes. By the way, Finance Brokers must pass an exam, hold relevant insurance, hold AFCA Membership, prove 20 hours of training per year, have regular Police and Credit Checks, and comply with the NCCP rules. Dealerships are still exempt from this.

You have several options, depending on your credit score and self-discipline.

A personal loan typically has no exit fees. They are quick and easy to arrange as well. I also have secured loan lenders with lower rates, and some don’t have exit fees. With personal loans, the rate goes off how stable you are in your home, job, and, most importantly, your credit score. Note, on personal loans, they will likely need to see your last three months’ banking transactions.

A credit card might be your cheaper option if you control your spending. They can be set up in 3-4 days, they have no exit fees, and you only pay interest on the balance. Typically, there are no or minimal set-up costs, and if you do get a cash advance, it works out at $200 per $10,000 that you withdraw. It can be a great alternative if you search for credit card deals online. Once you have the money, shred the card or give it to someone to look after it to remove temptation.

If the credit card rate is 18%, the interest will be close to $150 monthly for every $10,000. The sooner and more you pay off the card, the less the interest will be. You might be able to switch the card to a better deal later.

If someone calls me asking for a loan of under $10,000 on a car older than 12 years, I ask them to get a quote from their bank for a personal loan and then call me back with it. Even though the rates are slightly higher at that age of car for a personal loan, because it is a smaller amount of money, and I charge a small fee as well as the finance company to set up the loan. It can sometimes work out cheaper on a personal loan from their bank than going through me.

I am trained to talk you into clearing all your debts into one, so clear your credit cards and other loans and just get one loan. This gives you one payment and a light at the end of the tunnel and for some people, this is good advice.

What few people talk about is compounding interest and how it works. For example, for a consumer loan for $50,000 over seven years with payments of $900 per month (interest rate 12.65%), the first payment would be $526.92 interest and $373.08 of the amount owing (Principal). The last payment totals $9.39 in interest and $890.62 in principal.

When you reach the halfway point, 42 months, the payout figure would be $30,416 (not $25, as some think). If you took this loan out again at the same rate with the same payments, it would end at the same time, so you are protected as a consumer in Australia. However, most secured loans have exit fees and set-up costs, so bear that in mind. If the loan was set up for business use, that would probably cost you more to change *see Business loan vs. Consumer loan.”

Yes, it will. That is what I am trained to say and to be fair, it is true. Getting a secured car loan will build your credit score, and proven previous credit can help you get a bigger loan at a lower rate in the future with specific lenders.

However, suppose you have the cash saved already and are only getting finance to increase your credit score and have no other plans for your cash (Like a deposit on a house). In that case, I think you should consider paying cash for the car and getting a credit card. The credit card also has positive reporting, which will build your credit score (providing you pay the payments on time) and save you interest. See the answer about “credit file” for further information.

*Note: If you can’t trust yourself with a large credit card limit, just get one with a low limit.

In my mind, it is a myth that you need to change your cars often to keep value in the cars. Cars typically drop in value. But the longer you keep your car, the more equity you will build. If you plan to finance a car over seven years, I suggest keeping it for at least four years or, ideally, until the loan ends. Every time you buy a new car, you usually start a new loan, you pay stamp duty, and due to compounding interest, you will be paying mainly interest on the first half of the loan. Look under Compounding Interest for an example.

If it has a serial number, then I can probably finance it. I can even finance things like software and shop fit-outs. I also offer unsecured personal loans, business loans and overdrafts, so if the numbers stack up, I can get most purchases approved for the right profile. Just call me, and I will tell you over the phone in 5 minutes what options you have.

A residual is also known as a balloon payment. It is an option to reduce your payments. It is an interest-only part of the loan due at the last payment. A quick example: a $50,000 loan over five years would be $ 1,000 per month with no residual, and if you add $15,000 (30%) to the last payment, it will leave the payments of $790 per month. Another way to look at it would be that $35,000 is on repayments, and the $15,000 is interest only that needs to be paid back at the end of the loan. When the residual is due, you will get the option to pay the residual and keep the car or trade it and start again.

I am trained to say, “Get a residual”. It gives me another chance for your business in 5 years, and it allows the finance company to charge you more interest on their money.

If you take the loan over seven years, the payout figure will be close to what the residual would be at the 5-year mark. Using the same numbers above, the monthly payments over seven years would be $762. The advantage of the 7-year term is that if you still like the car, just keep it for longer. The longer you keep it, the more equity you will have, the less you will pay in stamp duty, and the profit the dealerships make from each transaction.

Notes:

*Some lenders charge more interest on loans over five years.

*Most lenders don’t offer residuals on assets over five years old. (not always the case, especially for business purchases). 5-year terms are typically 30% max, but some lenders may increase to 40% depending on a few things.

*Residuals for businesses can be good for growing businesses. It helps with cash flow and lowers commitments.

*When comparing residual payments, ensure you get the exact number to avoid confusion. The residual can be set according to the car’s purchase price, the price the valuation book says or the price paid after the deposit.

*Sometimes, it can be worth getting a residual if servicing is tight or if you want to have the option of lower payments on a contract. For example, if you want a mortgage in the future or like the option to pay less if required.

The above figures show that the loan can be set up with a residual. However, if you choose to pay the standard payment of the 5-year term with no residual, your loan will end in 5 years with no final residual payment. This trick will not work on Business loans.

*with most lenders on a consumer product, if you take the loan with a residual, then increase every payment to what it would have been without a residual due to compounding interest, the loan should finish with no residual. *I am only sharing my opinions and not giving advice

Some clients prefer private sales because they meet the previous owner to get a feel for how it has been cared for, and as a rule, if someone sells something privately, they will have more confidence in its reliability. If the seller has had intermittent problems with their car, they normally just trade it.

Be aware that if the car is outside the manufacturer’s warranty, there will be no warranty. I recommend getting an independent inspection to be safe. (search for inspections)If we set up a secured loan, the lender must put the car on the PPRS Register. So, the lender needs to make sure they are funding an actual vehicle (and not a holiday) and are paying the seller directly. So, to protect everybody involved in the sale, they ask the seller to upload some pictures of the car, the seller’s ID, the Rego papers and proof they own the bank account that the funds will go to. The inspection typically takes the seller 10-15 minutes and can be done with a mobile phone. I need to enter the seller’s name, phone number and email address, and then the system will send a link for the images and documents to be uploaded.

We usually use a company called Verimoto for this.

Novated leases can be great for some people. They are ideal for someone who has been in their job for a long time, is in the higher tax brackets and has no plans to move jobs before the end of the lease. In this case, getting a $60,000 car can save up to $5,000 per year in tax, subject to the Km’s travelled and the car. The package normally includes all the fuel and servicing etc, So this can help with your budgeting. They work alongside your employer and you pay for it out of your pre-tax income to reduce the tax you pay.

The negatives.

*If you change jobs, the new provider might not take on your lease, so nobody can claim the GST back, leaving you to pay it.

*The lease is structured under a Commercial agreement, so the exit fees will probably be crazy (see Business vs Consumer).

*You have to finance the total amount of the car, so you cannot pay a deposit to lower the interest or payments.
*You have to have a residual as per the ATO Guidelines.
*Most cars attract Fringe Benefit taxes. Electric and some Utes may be exempt.
*Some clients might get better tax benefits if they use their car to mostly generate income than they would with a Novated Lease.

*Government workers like Nurses and Police can usually finance the car how they like and then claim the repayments via a salary sacrifice to reduce their tax

*The interest rate is often not disclosed. In the majority of cases I have seen, the rate is higher than a conventional loan.

*On a maintained package, every month, you will be paying into an account that is hard for you to access

*Some providers charge up to $1,000 per year in maintenance fees.

If you have kids that do not live with you and you pay child maintenance, then so long as we declare the child maintenance, we will be okay showing you as Zero dependants. (In this case, we would go with the higher payment amount you are making or the agreed outgoing on the child support documents.)

If you have a child who is at home but is not financially dependent on you because they are working and supporting themselves, then they do not need to be declared.

Suppose you have a mortgage or are renting, and your partner contributes to the payments. In that case, we can generally allow half of that payment. Some lenders need proof of your partner’s income, and some don’t. Supplying both payslips upfront may give us more options, but this is not always a deal breaker.

Please declare all income and expenses. The income can be Payslips, Centrelink, pension or an investment home. When lenders see your credit file, they will see your open loans and credit cards, showing them the current balance and payment history. I also see your credit file before the lenders do, so we can discuss that before applying to the lender if required.

Finance companies must stay within responsible lending guidelines. They seem more scared of being fined by ASIC for lending money irresponsibly than the risk of a deal going bad. All lenders have a credit policy in place, and they are all different. Some won’t go below a certain credit score, some won’t allow any defaults, and some won’t accept a loan if they had a recent payday loan enquiry. But they must prove you have more money to cover your living expenses and all financial commitments.

Many lenders use HEM (Household Expenditure Measure) to calculate living expenses. Some use Scaled HEM, increasing your living expenses as the applicant’s income rises. Even though all lenders use the same guidelines, they come out with different calculations. For example, a single person would be $1250 per month with one lender and $1,500, per month with another. A couple would be from $2300 per month, and each child would be at least $350 per head.

They look at the higher number from the one provided by the client or their internal HEM figures. The HEM covers shopping, travel and general bills. Rent/Mortgage is extra, and so are other financial commitments. Credit cards are calculated at 3.5-4% of the card’s limit. So, a Credit card with a limit of $10,000 and a balance of $0 is up to $400 per month as an expense.

E.g.:
$1,250 – for a single-person HEM

$350 – for their child.
$1,750 – for their rent.

$ 400 – for their credit card.

Totalling – $3,750 per month for outgoings.

If the income is $5,000 monthly, there should be enough left over for $1,250 to repay the new loan.

*The figures are examples. Each lender is different, and there is no movement on this with any prime lender, even for FIFO workers who are rarely home.

Subprime lenders have a more relaxed way of looking at living expenses, but their rates and fees are much higher.

So long as we are transparent to the lender, they are okay with what we tell them.

Filling out the application on my website will put your data in my system, allowing me to view your profile, and then I can give you more accurate feedback on your situation

Having the answers ready for the expected questions from the lender can speed up the approval. I see your credit file before lenders, so we can discuss more if required before applying if your credit file differs from your application. Closed accounts can take a while to be removed from credit files, and people sometimes forget about open credit cards with a $0 balance.

Look where the car has been parked for oil leaks. Or pop your head under the car and have a look. Oil leaks are not always covered and can be a pain to fix. Try to watch the car start from cold, listen for strange rattles and look for a large puff of smoke.

Ask about service history and when the last service was done. Some clients take a picture of the last service stamp and then call the place that serviced it to see if any major repairs had been advised and not completed. Servicing cars can be expensive, so make sure there is no expensive timing belt that is due to be replaced. Google will let you know the intervals, costs and other things to consider.

Have a look under the bonnet of the car. You will see bolts on the hinges that hold the bonnet in place. They should not have any damage to the paint. If the paint is cracked, the panel has been removed at some point. It is the same principle on each panel. Overspray is a clear sign the car has had paintwork as well. Overspray or a new panel alone would not stop me from buying a car, but it would make me investigate it more.

If you want to buy privately or from a dealership, consider getting a professional inspection. Independents like Todd charge $200-$250, and the bigger companies like Redbook charge up to $350. (Todd does a better job from what I have seen). Alternatively, you can ask to take the car to your mechanic or ask your mechanic to go and inspect the vehicle for you. Supercheap Auto offers a service for $30 ($24 for members) where they can plug into the car’s computer and read the stored faults. It is not uncommon for heaps of historical fault codes to show on the report, and they can be as innocent as a low voltage that happened years ago or show you a genuine current fault.

This is my most significant piece of advice. Try to keep emotions out of the purchase. Emotions get us into a lot of trouble. So, when you are about to put a small fortune into some new wheels, please slow things down. If you are buying with your partner, chat beforehand about a realistic time frame to collect your new car and if you really need one. It will help you to discuss whether it fits your and the family’s needs over other things you might need.

Treating salespeople with a cold shoulder will not help anybody. I say this because I have seen it so many times. When a customer isn’t sure how to negotiate, or they have been burnt before, they can sometimes come across as cold or rude. Don’t be that person. It will get their back up and stop them from wanting to help you negotiate. I am not trying to patronise here. I see it as a shame when a genuinely friendly salesperson gets snubbed for no reason. Unfortunately, this happens a lot more than you would expect. I also know that they are usually the most profitable deals.

· Knowing the money is waiting with fewer potential speed bumps ahead gives you peace of mind.

· Knowing what your repayments are

· When you tell a seller you have a pre-approval, it shows you are serious.

· From a salesperson’s view, it is good because they can lose several deals per month on deals they can’t get set.

· It also means you get the car quicker.

Google the car brand and look up common problems before you look at it. Some cars are famous lemons, and they stand out as cheap in comparison to other brands.

When you go visit the dealerships, always have another “car to view” lined up after the one you have considered buying. This removes the pressure into a sale on the visit and helps if you don’t have time or energy for the hard sell at the end of a test drive. Tell the salesperson you have another car to look at after his one. It works best if it is true. But if you are using it just as an excuse to walk away, at least have a made-up car ready in your mind because any good salesperson will ask about their potential competition. It also gives you an excuse not to make an emotional decision and rush into signing a contract after a test drive. I am bringing this up because I speak to many people who sign contracts without thinking and want to end their loans early now that hindsight is 20/20.

Regarding the contract at the dealership, once that is signed, it is a legally binding document in WA. If you sign it and change your mind, the dealership can take you to court for up to 15% of the car’s purchase price. I know some states have cooling-off periods. However, in WA, if you put a deposit down on a car and cannot get the finance, you should get that deposit back because the contract is no longer valid.

Salespeople usually get 20% of the profit in the car as a commission on top of their basic wage and then bonuses if they hit targets. They usually also get a kickback if you finance with the dealership’s finance as well. It’s no secret they are there to make money out of selling cars, and to be fair to them, I’d say 80% of them are typically lovely, warm and wanting to please people. If they are not, they will not last long in the industry, so please give them the benefit of the doubt. Statistically speaking, you will get a good one. However, there are some terrible dealerships out there, and they stand out when you look at experiences on Google Maps. One dealer once replied to a negative Google review, saying, “See you in court.” That place falls into the 20%.

Suppose you have an older Euro car or a car that can be expensive to fix. In that case, there will likely be a higher difference in the wholesale price and average selling price, but regardless, let the dealership know that you might sell your car yourself. Then, if you don’t have time or patience for a private sale, a few local dealers advertise to buy cars, and if they offer you more than the dealership, you can just get that dealership to pay directly to the dealership you are collecting your car from. I have seen this simple trick save my clients thousands.

Another way to attract a wholesale buyer is to list it on Gumtree – typically, this will attract dealers that are short on stock and will make you an offer. Alternatively, you can sell it privately, and the best place for that is Facebook Marketplace. If you can put up with the PayID Scams and the no-shows, this way will leave you thousands better off.

If you have a trade car, spend a few bucks to get it detailed first. The fresh look will increase its value, and your return on investment can be massive. If you have no kids to help or are short on time, there are places at shopping centres or even better mobile detailers that will be happy to help for $150. If you are short on time, drive it through a car wash.

Call in a few other dealerships on your way to the car you have seen. Ask them to make an offer to purchase the car directly from you. You then know what the car is worth in the trade. Think about it. The dealership advertising to buy cars will pay more for a car they have physically seen over one described to them over the phone. If you strike a deal with a dealership for your trade, they should be able to pay the following dealership directly and maybe even drop you off or shout you an Uber to go and collect your new car. I would finance the difference unless you have just read about a cheaper payment method. By the way, when looking at your next car, if a trade car is brought into the conversation, then the focus will be on the price of the trade car and not the price of the car you are looking to buy. You will probably find they start low with the offer on your trade car to give them room to negotiate.

Dealerships can make a lot of money on trade cars that they “UV” (Under Value). My advice is to look online first and see what other cars like yours are selling in your area, and depending on what car it is, you should be $2-3,000 less than the cheapest equivalent advertised car as a trade price minus any genuine spending that needs doing on the car like tyres etc. Doing this will give you a more realistic valuation. Don’t confuse yourself with Redbook valuation. When valuing your car, search from price Low to High (this is how the dealerships do it). We are in a declining market, and there are still some unrealistic asking prices with both dealerships and private sellers.

My brother is always looking for stock at his car dealership in Rockingham (where my office is located). He has helped many of my clients by giving them a fair market price for their trade. View www.burnettcars.com.au for his contact details. The last time I looked, he was the highest-rated dealership in WA on Google reviews, so he is clearly doing the right thing by his clients as well. If you send him pictures and a description, he can get you a valuation via email. He is the one I used to work with back in England. There are not many places I will recommend, but I can recommend buying a car from my brother with my hand on my heart.

If you do trade your car at the dealership, ask before you sign the contract if you can sell it yourself and just bring in the cash at collection. Most dealerships will be okay with this, especially if it is mentioned before the contract is signed. If you buy the car on a Saturday and then pick up your new car the following Saturday, that will give you enough time to advertise your car and end up with a few extra grand in your pocket.

By the way, having a buyer ready for your trade can open the door to an easier private sale as well. Some clients get their new car and then sell their old one when they have more time. They then use the cash from their old car to pay off old loans and credit cards or put it towards a holiday or home improvements.

Not all dealerships offer discounts. Some are fixed prices. Dealerships do a lot of research on their stock prices and how they compare against other cars for sale. They have advanced tools showing how long the average selling time is and the previous sales prices, etc. However, they are human. Just asking for a discount is always a good idea. However, if you can provide the dealership with other options available to you in the market and it shows that their car is now above the average price, then showing them cheaper local alternative cars that are like for like and cheaper will help your case for a discount. If you can’t find a cheaper car in the same city, they will know it is the most reasonable and less likely to discount.

It can help to ask how long the car has been in stock. They will know it has been advertised online since they got it in stock, so they know it could be a trick question. If you look closely, some adverts have dates the pictures have been taken on the dashboard, or you can tell by the seasons in the background how long ago the images were taken. If the car’s heater is set to max heat and we are in the middle of summer, that could be another clue.

If you are buying from a franchised dealership funded by a floorplan, then as soon as that car hits 90 days in stock, they have to move it on. The finance company that provides the floor plan charges extra interest after 90 days, making that stock a burden. The Car Sales app can be helpful if you want to keep an eye on the market. It tells you when price changes happen and stores the date you saved the car. I genuinely sympathise with the dealers because Car Sales charge dealerships up to $80 per inquiry made. If you press contact the dealership, then the dealership is out of pocket. The opening line to the dealership can be, “I just worked out how to get your number without making an enquiry via car sales”, which will show you care about them and hopefully get a good start to the conversation. Just scroll down to the bottom of the advert, and you will see their name in the small print. Then, Google Maps the dealership to see by their reviews if it is a dealership you want to deal with. Look on AutoTrader and Facebook Marketplace. Autotrader has a dealer-friendly advertising system that attracts dealers who don’t want to be involved with the media giant CarSales. There are fake adverts on Marketplace, so don’t give any deposits until you have seen the car.

You don’t have to be on the premises when signing the contract. You could call them back in just ten minutes. The technology usually is there for them to e-sign a contract. Doing it this way will let you get back to your day quicker, but if you like the part where they introduce you to the aftercare and their finance person, sign on the premises. Verbally agreeing to the car over the phone can sometimes help with negotiations. If you are in the dealership, they still have some emotional strings to pull on, but when you walk away, you make it an even playing field. When they know you are home and have other choices.

It is sometimes worth looking interstate. This is more relevant currently to people in WA. There are more car buyers than sellers in WA right now, which differs from the East, so the prices are down over East. Shipping will be $1,600 – $2,500, and it will take up to three weeks, then it will need a pit inspection (About $90). So, if the car is a bargain, it might be worth looking into. It is where many WA dealerships are currently getting their stock from anyway.

Buying from an auction is risky. Be very careful and do your research. Places like Grays give you a “turn-key” warranty because the warranty expires as soon as you turn the key. The dealers know this and can dispose of cars by auction if they have significant problems. There are Facebook groups and news articles all the time about the lemons sold there. In their defence, I have clients who have been lucky and picked up a healthy bargain. But personally, knowing what I know, I do not think it is worth the risk. Other auctions like Pickles or Manheim are safer. My experience tells me that the prices at auctions can be the same as buying a well-priced private car, especially considering the crazy fees they charge. You won’t get to drive the car or organise an independent mechanical inspection from an auction. Sometimes, they come with a warranty, a mechanical inspection and a transparent buy-it-now price. But you will have to move your trade yourself if applicable. It can be worth a search on their websites.

The second option is going to an independent window tinter or detailer and chatting with them about a protection kit. They can generally get trade-only stuff and usually care about their reputation. There are many I recommend, including the team at AAA_windscreens. Feel free to mention that Eric Burnett sent you. I don’t ask for anything from them so that you get a better price.

The third option is the dealership can install it. At the dealerships, it usually comes with some guarantee that if the paint is damaged, then they will repair it for free. They usually charge more but chuck in “free” tints. By the way, if you get tints, go with the newer Ceramic tint. It will be more expensive for whoever does it, but it is worth it. It is excellent at keeping the heat out and won’t affect your mobile signal as much as the older carbon/metal-based products. If it is supplied by a dealership, then you will likely need to pay extra stamp duty on the extra cost.

You will get a 3-month statutory warranty if you buy from a dealership. To be honest, this does not cover much. They just have to make the car road-worthy. Even batteries are not covered by law, but the right dealership might help you depending on many things.

If you are to buy a warranty, there are two categories, each with different types. One is insurance backed and underwritten by a 3rd party insurance, which typically has better cover. APRA regulates it, and because of that, the commission to the provider is capped at 20% of the total RRP. Typically, this is a better product with less chance of a dispute over a claim. This is what I offer, even on private sales.

The other paid-for warranty is classed as a mechanical breakdown product. APRA does not back this, and the provider has more discretion regarding claims. Technically, this is not a warranty, which is how they get past the commission cap/APRA regulations. Dealerships can use both products, so it is worth asking questions and researching.

With both paid-for options, you should get offered different levels of cover based on the age and kms of the car. They might limit the cost per claim and what you can claim for.

Whether you need a warranty or not is up to you. Cars are more reliable now. However, there is a lot more on them to go wrong. Have a look at when the manufacturer’s warranty expires. If there is a long time left, is there any point in getting one today?

I know of clients who have claimed over $30,000 on the warranty, and I know others who have never made a claim.

All warranties I know of require you to get the car serviced at their recommended intervals, so look out for short service intervals because if you miss a service, the warranty could be void.

Finally, look out for the “Free” warranty that some still give. This was probably more important to mention 15 years ago, but some still offer this, so worth noting. Some dealerships offer you a free warranty for 3 years. You might still see this advertised online. Just make sure you read the small print. With the ones I have seen, you must service the car with them and the cover is limited to $500 per claim on just internal parts of the engine and transmission. I cannot think of any examples where the dealership would not come out in front in the event of a claim.

Roadside assistance is available cheaply if you shop around for it. You can get three years for less than one year with the famous companies. I do offer this as an addition to the warranty. The cover is great because they subcontract the recoveries to the same contractors.

If the car is recorded on the damaged register, this will restrict the lenders available. Sometimes, there are innocent stories regarding why they are on the register, like if the parts take six months to arrive. They have to pay for storage and a rental car, and then the insurance company can just write it off. But regardless of the reason, the car should be a lot cheaper if you consider buying one because when you come to sell it, it could be worth up to 30% less than the same car without a mark on its report. Ask for pictures of the car before the damage. They will also help when you want to sell it. Flood-damaged cars are not allowed back on the road due to potential electrical and safety issues. Cars that have been damaged beyond repair are also only fit for scrap.
There are more expensive car history searches you can do, and they offer a more detailed history of the previously recorded Km’s. Carify is one of many options. They charge $10 for their more comprehensive report.