2nd hand car showrooms

[Pugwash]

Can anyone recommend a good 2nd hand car showroom?  I do not think my car will pass its MOT next month so am on the look out for another car. Family have used Lancers in Beckenham for their last 3 cars, but they only have 1 automatic drive (Nissan Duke) which is too big for me. Would like Ford/Vauxhall etc or similar size. Must be automatic, petrol and ULZ compatible. At this stage just want to get an idea of what is out there and prices. Hopefully my car which is 20 years old, passes MOT this time which will give me longer time to look around.

[Sue]

On 05/02/2025 at 15:37, Pugwash said:

Can anyone recommend a good 2nd hand car showroom?  I do not think my car will pass its MOT next month so am on the look out for another car. Family have used Lancers in Beckenham for their last 3 cars, but they only have 1 automatic drive (Nissan Duke) which is too big for me. Would like Ford/Vauxhall etc or similar size. Must be automatic, petrol and ULZ compatible. At this stage just want to get an idea of what is out there and prices. Hopefully my car which is 20 years old, passes MOT this time which will give me longer time to look around.

Doesn't it depend on how much it would cost to get your existing car through its MOT, if it fails?

[firth]

Use ebay as a price guide.

 

[vladi]

I'd recommend CarGiant - big selection. Bought 3 cars from them for family members. The first I still have after 22 years.

[Pugwash]

Need to see and try the car physically - need to transport at times, a fold up mobility scooter in the boot. Also several relatives/friends with disabilities.

[Pugwash]

Noticed that  Car Giant is listed as being in White City.  Prefer somewhere in South London/Bromley area as have difficulty accessing some public transport due to mobility issues.  The body work of my car is not brilliant and this could cause it to fail MOT

[vladi]

To get the best price whether new or used car, a buyer is well advised to study the tactics to be used to counter the tactics used by the car seller. 
It's not just a matter of what to look for in terms of conducting a mechanical/visual inspection but also a matter of how to negotiate on price and extras.

You may well be experienced and confident in these circumstances however many are not so I would highly recommend doing some preparation in advance. There are many  Youtube videos that are most helpful in this regard. A quick search on you tube for, say, "How to buy a used car", "how to check over a used car" and "negotiate a car purchase" will provide many worthwhile tips.

Also check out reviews on honestJohn.co.uk and better still, check for common problems with a particular model on user forums. Here's just a few to avoid:-
Range Rover with  2 litre Ingenium engine( 2.2 is OK)
Citroen C4 Cactus with 1.2 Puretech engine
Ford Eco-Boost engine ( between 2013 -2017)
Mini with petrol engine
Kia 1.6 Mhev engine
Anything with a wet timing belt
Golf Mk5  with CCTA engine
Honda Jazz can be prone to rust

There's more that could be mentioned but these stick in my mind. If need any help just send me a PM

Based on your requirement to load a mobility scooter, I'd suggest something like a Vauxhall Zafira 1.6. VW Turan.

Edited February 11 by vladi
date range changed

[Kipper_1972]

I'd recommend CarGiant in White City. Last time I was there 25yrs ago you could sit in all the cars (they were unlocked). An Uber will get you there.... Unlike yrs ago, Forecourt space is now expensive and scarce. You can go on AutoTrader and find stuff like this nearby, but like many others they're not selling from a Forecourt

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502068806724?sort=relevance&searchId=fdfc8dae-7d57-4ba6-9202-d421254546a6&advertising-location=at_cars&maximum-mileage=45000&minimum-mileage=500&page=6&postcode=SE22 0HZ&price-from=1500&price-to=11000&radius=5&seller-type=trade&transmission=Automatic&fromsra

[vladi]

Yes, Uber to CarGiant is easy and you can drive your "new" car back within 1 hour having paid by debit card and provided you have sorted  out insurance prior.

[malumbu]

Try Autotrader and a private purchase.  Unless I am mistaken you cannot do a test drive at Car Giant, and the ones you buy on line and they deliver.

Never done an auction, others may advise

An ex Motorbility car can be a bargain, these have been returned at the end of the lease and I expect hould have been driven sensibly and properly maintained - again others may have views but an ex-colleague swore by them

https://www.cmwcars.co.uk/ex-motability/

[beansprout]

Use AA website - even tells you how far car of your choice is….

[vladi]

5 hours ago, malumbu said:

Try Autotrader and a private purchase.  Unless I am mistaken you cannot do a test drive at Car Giant, and the ones you buy on line and they deliver.

Never done an auction, others may advise

An ex Motorbility car can be a bargain, these have been returned at the end of the lease and I expect hould have been driven sensibly and properly maintained - again others may have views but an ex-colleague swore by them

https://www.cmwcars.co.uk/ex-motability/

Avoid a private purchase on Autotrader or wherever UNLESS you know the tricks and scams of the used car market and are a competent vehicle scrutiniser. Believe me, the "private" seller market is a jungle for the unwary and inexperienced. There's lots of devious practices for the unaware and uninitiated. Trust me, I've been in the new/used vehicle  market for 30 years. If you really want to buy private, the n tell the seller you will buy it subject to a thorough inspection by an AA or RAC engineer. If they don't agree then walk away, fast. 

As for auctions, that's even worse - especially with Copart where you never get to inspect the car "in the flesh". You have to work off their photos and descriptions which are rarely accurate. BCA and Mannheim auctions are the big auction houses and are better . It's  where the used-car trade buy  a lot of their stock. The trade buyers will spot a private buyer a mile off and will bid you up and dump you with an over-priced lemon so that you don't come back.

Ex-Motability cars have a history of regular services and are well sought after. Consequently, they command a good price. CarGiant and some other outlets have a good percentage of ex-Mobility stock. Plus they check each car and so you have assurance.

PS. I checked your link and could not find any ex-Motability cars there. There's quite a few high performance units such as Porsche Panamera and Jaguar I Pace.

Edited February 12 by vladi