Get big discounts off the UK's 10 best-selling cars

These popular vehicles sell in the millions, but you must never pay full price for them!

Saturday, 1 September saw the introduction of the '62' plate -- the latest registration for new cars sold in the UK.

What's more, new-car sales beat forecasts, according to trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Sales surge in September

According to the SMMT, 359,612 new cars were registered last month, up 8.2% on the figure for September 2011. Also, sales in September were only just short of the 372,835 new cars sold in March, when the '12' plate was released.

These were the UK's 10 best-selling cars last month:

Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

In September, Ford and Vauxhall were by far the most popular makes of new car sold. Ford took first and third places with its Fiesta and Focus, while Vauxhall took second and fourth with the Corsa and Astra. Volkswagen also took two slots in the top 10, grabbing fifth and ninth places with the Golf and Polo, its popular small cars.

If you’re tempted to buy one of these bestsellers, or any other new car, check out these tips on how to drive a hard bargain in the car showroom:

1. Haggling

As with all major purchases, the trick to buying a new car is to shop around. In fact, don't even step onto a forecourt until you've logged several hours online researching makes, models, list prices and discounts. By all means, take a few test drives, but don't be tempted to sign on the spot.

Your goal is to haggle, perhaps by playing off several dealerships against each other in an effort to drive down your purchase price. I find a simple question such as, "What's the lowest price that you'll sell this car for today?" usually gets the 'tug of war' going.

Of course, top salesmen (and women) are intensely competitive and hate to lose a sale to a local rival. Therefore, hinting that a competitor has offered you a lower price could reduce the price tag even further.

2. Broker websites

If you'd prefer not to haggle yourself, then pay someone else with muscle to do it for you. Dozens of online brokers exist to find you deep discounts off new cars. Of these buying agents and car supermarkets, probably the best known are Drivethedeal, Broadspeed and Motorpoint, all three of which you should visit.

Then again, if you are short of time and want to cut to the chase, then try the What Car Target Price (0845 867 8311). This promises to find you a fair discount on any list price and, in practice, delivers price cuts of £1,200+ on most makes and models.

3. Ask for free extras

Your job as a car buyer is to get the best car for the lowest price. That's why you should always ask for optional extras to be thrown in for free. For example, trying bartering for free add-ons such as metallic paint, car alarm/immobiliser, extended warranty and a year’s Vehicle Excise Duty ('road tax'). Also, with fuel costing close to £1.50 a litre, a free tank of petrol or diesel could be worth upwards of £100.

4. Avoid dealer finance

As someone who worked in motor F&I (finance and insurance) for over a decade, I'll let you into a dirty little secret. Dealers sometimes make more from selling you finance and insurance than they do from 'shifting metal'. Thus, when you visit a showroom to buy a new car, the salesman will devote considerable times and effort to selling you finance.

Research from The AA shows that buying a car using a low-rate personal loan could be up to £2,000 cheaper than plumping for dealer finance. When buying your next car, don't be lured into a loan in the showroom. Instead, use your savings or get a Best Buy personal loan.

There are currently two personal loans on the market that only charge 5.6% interest!

5. Avoid insurance rip-offs

As well as costly finance, dealers are mad keen to sell you a whole host of over-priced insurance policies.

These include the dreaded PPI, extended warranties (almost always very poor value for money), car insurance and breakdown cover. Again, the golden rule of crafty car-buying is never to buy insurance cover in the dealership. Instead, search online for Best Buy policies.

In summary, to drive a hard bargain on a new car, you'll need to so your homework upfront and keep your wits about you. Otherwise, wily salesmen are waiting to trap you into paying top dollar for your next set of wheels!

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