Other How long before Demo cars are for sale?

lippy · 31st March 2008, 21:20

I'm thinking of changing my ex demo silver spaceship for another ex demo - like the tango type s's that the stealers currently have....... However on making preliminary enquiries my stealers say they now have to keep demos for 6 months - is this true? I thought it was 3 months?

terry · 31st March 2008, 22:25

Mine was 3 months...in fact I had it for a day free on loan before the 3 months was up as it was the most convenient day to collect.
There may be a difference between a demonstrator and a staff car (the ones the service and sales managers have).
I think the Honda factory staff cars are sold at 6 months which can be a reasonable price if the dealer wants to look for you.

Terry.

lippy · 31st March 2008, 22:33

Thanks Terry, I think they must mean staff cars - I think I will try another dealer to see if they have any demos. I got my current car before the 3months was up but didn't get the V5 until it turned 3 months.

britsbest · 31st March 2008, 22:35

My Mrs got her demo golf when it was 6 weeks old.

It probably depends how short of sales the stealer is to make his target

Dimplyred · 31st March 2008, 22:48

I was under the impression it was 3 months too. If they are saying 6 months then it must be right, they aren't going to miss an opportunity to sell a car if they can.

alanwalne · 1st April 2008, 00:03

As touched upon above by Lippy, you may get the car before 3 months, but if you don't have the V5, then legally (and also for insurance purposes), the car is not yours.
Demos are often bought on special deals from the importer / manufacturer and have defined times before the dealer can transfer ownership, so even if you have the metal on your drive, the V5 may still be in the dealer's or manufacturer's name until that time is up.

NH Dan · 1st April 2008, 10:47

A dealership demonstrator MUST be registered to the dealership for 3 months at least before it can be sold on - no ifs or buts. This is to stop dealerships registering every car they sell as a demonstrator and re-selling it the next day at a discounted price I think - I know for certain that it is a DOT ruling, Certainly applying to any manufacturer with a market share greater than 1%.

However, if, as with my demonstrator, it is running up very low mileage (700 in 3 months) then they may well be kept on the fleet for any amount of time at all.

britsbest · 1st April 2008, 11:42

Things must have changed then?

her in doors' car was 6 weeks old

alanwalne · 1st April 2008, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by britsbest

Things must have changed then?

her in doors' car was 6 weeks old

If it was a demo 'just by chance of course' I bet it took about 6 weeks for the V5 to come through

Sorry, if the car was pre registered by the dealer, but not as a demonstrator, then (please correct me if I am wrong NH Dan) then it can be sold before three months.

Dealers do this to increase their registrations in a fixed period (usually three months) to get extra manufacturers bonuses.

allan40alt · 1st April 2008, 12:57

Do you mean 'ex-demo' or 'pre-registered'?

I've seen posts from people buying 'pre-registered' cars with only the delivery mileage on them.

alanwalne · 1st April 2008, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by allan40alt

Do you mean 'ex-demo' or 'pre-registered'?

I've seen posts from people buying 'pre-registered' cars with only the delivery mileage on them.

Allan

I was trying (not very clearly

) to explain the difference.

NH Dan · 1st April 2008, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by allan40alt

Do you mean 'ex-demo' or 'pre-registered'?

I've seen posts from people buying 'pre-registered' cars with only the delivery mileage on them.

??? you can have a demonstator that isn't used and therefore will have delivery miles on it, you could then have a pre-registered car that has been out on test drives etc with potential customers and can have 200-300 miles on it - makes no difference at all......

alanwalne · 1st April 2008, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by NH Dan

??? you can have a demonstator that isn't used and therefore will have delivery miles on it, you could then have a pre-registered car that has been out on test drives etc with potential customers and can have 200-300 miles on it - makes no difference at all......

Apart from the amount the dealer pays the manufacturer!!

NH Dan · 1st April 2008, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwalne

If it was a demo 'just by chance of course' I bet it took about 6 weeks for the V5 to come through

Sorry, if the car was pre registered by the dealer, but not as a demonstrator, then (please correct me if I am wrong NH Dan) then it can be sold before three months.

Dealers do this to increase their registrations in a fixed period (usually three months) to get extra manufacturers bonuses.

Manufacturers have set standards dependant of dealership size as to what demonstration vehicles are run, how many and how often they are changed. No point having a fleet of 07 MY civics if the 08 MY is considerably different, after all, these are the cars that are meant to be 'selling' the product, hence why they are usually high spec models.

Pre-registered cars again, if registered in the Dealerships name or that of the manufacturer will have the same 3 month rule apply. I know that some dealerships however will retain 'ownership' of the vehicle as in retaining the V5 until that three month period has passed.

alanwalne · 1st April 2008, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by NH Dan

Manufacturers have set standards dependant of dealership size as to what demonstration vehicles are run, how many and how often they are changed. No point having a fleet of 07 MY civics if the 08 MY is considerably different, after all, these are the cars that are meant to be 'selling' the product, hence why they are usually high spec models.

Pre-registered cars again, if registered in the Dealerships name or that of the manufacturer will have the same 3 month rule apply. I know that some dealerships however will retain 'ownership' of the vehicle as in retaining the V5 until that three month period has passed.

That is news to me, I thought that if the car was pre reg, not on demo 'special price', the dealer did not have to hang onto it for 3 months.

lippy · 1st April 2008, 22:39

Thanks for the replies - makes interesting reading!

Have been back in touch with my dealer and they are not selling their 'demo' cars until end august / september as the staff are driving them so not strictly 'demos' is this right NH Dan?

Also I've been quoted a 20 week wait for any spec 5 door in Tangerine orange, but the end of May for the 3 door - ie type s's. Also only 2 weeks wait for any other colour!!

Have decided that I don't want to lose HID lights or magic seats (will be very useful later this year (I'm a grandma in waiting!!! - baby seats etc)) so I'm looking for a new EX or Sport (as current car) in Tangerine orange, would be very interested to know if you've got any deals NH Dan?????

NH Dan · 2nd April 2008, 00:23

The dealership may well have just made a decision not to replace the demo's until aug/sept so they have a new fleet on 58 plates. Alot of dealership staff have demo's as their company car so yes, the staff could well be driving them until then.

i'm currently running a Type S GT and have been since Jan and have done only 620 ish miles, so will no doubt run it for a good few months more before we think of selling it on....

31st March 2008, 21:20	#1 (permalink)
lippy Bournemouth Belle Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 10th January 2007 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 394 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	How long before Demo cars are for sale? I'm thinking of changing my ex demo silver spaceship for another ex demo - like the tango type s's that the stealers currently have....... However on making preliminary enquiries my stealers say they now have to keep demos for 6 months - is this true? I thought it was 3 months?

1st April 2008, 00:03	#6 (permalink)
alanwalne Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 11th June 2007 Location: Kent Posts: 754 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	As touched upon above by Lippy, you may get the car before 3 months, but if you don't have the V5, then legally (and also for insurance purposes), the car is not yours. Demos are often bought on special deals from the importer / manufacturer and have defined times before the dealer can transfer ownership, so even if you have the metal on your drive, the V5 may still be in the dealer's or manufacturer's name until that time is up. Last edited by alanwalne; 1st April 2008 at 00:06.

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This thread is about: How long before Demo cars are for sale?, it's in Buying, Dealers and Servicing at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; I'm thinking of changing my ex demo silver spaceship for another ex demo - like the tango type s's that the stealers currently have....... However ...

31st March 2008, 22:25	#2 (permalink)
terry Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 24th September 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 321 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mine was 3 months...in fact I had it for a day free on loan before the 3 months was up as it was the most convenient day to collect. There may be a difference between a demonstrator and a staff car (the ones the service and sales managers have). I think the Honda factory staff cars are sold at 6 months which can be a reasonable price if the dealer wants to look for you. Terry.

31st March 2008, 22:33	#3 (permalink)
lippy Bournemouth Belle Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 10th January 2007 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 394 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Thanks Terry, I think they must mean staff cars - I think I will try another dealer to see if they have any demos. I got my current car before the 3months was up but didn't get the V5 until it turned 3 months.

31st March 2008, 22:35	#4 (permalink)
britsbest Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 9th September 2006 Location: Cheadle Hulme Posts: 228 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My Mrs got her demo golf when it was 6 weeks old. It probably depends how short of sales the stealer is to make his target

31st March 2008, 22:48	#5 (permalink)
Dimplyred Type R GT 09570 Civinfo guru Join Date: 24th August 2007 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 3,253 Thanks: 16 Thanked 41 Times in 41 Posts	I was under the impression it was 3 months too. If they are saying 6 months then it must be right, they aren't going to miss an opportunity to sell a car if they can.

1st April 2008, 10:47	#7 (permalink)
NH Dan Newton Honda Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 31st January 2008 Location: South London,Uk Posts: 715 Thanks: 9 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	A dealership demonstrator MUST be registered to the dealership for 3 months at least before it can be sold on - no ifs or buts. This is to stop dealerships registering every car they sell as a demonstrator and re-selling it the next day at a discounted price I think - I know for certain that it is a DOT ruling, Certainly applying to any manufacturer with a market share greater than 1%. However, if, as with my demonstrator, it is running up very low mileage (700 in 3 months) then they may well be kept on the fleet for any amount of time at all.

1st April 2008, 11:42	#8 (permalink)
britsbest Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 9th September 2006 Location: Cheadle Hulme Posts: 228 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Things must have changed then? her in doors' car was 6 weeks old

1st April 2008, 12:57	#10 (permalink)
allan40alt Supporter Civinfo guru Join Date: 6th August 2006 Location: Rugby, Warwickshire. Posts: 2,142 Thanks: 6 Thanked 27 Times in 26 Posts	Do you mean 'ex-demo' or 'pre-registered'? I've seen posts from people buying 'pre-registered' cars with only the delivery mileage on them.

1st April 2008, 22:39	#16 (permalink)
lippy Bournemouth Belle Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 10th January 2007 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 394 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Thanks for the replies - makes interesting reading! Have been back in touch with my dealer and they are not selling their 'demo' cars until end august / september as the staff are driving them so not strictly 'demos' is this right NH Dan? Also I've been quoted a 20 week wait for any spec 5 door in Tangerine orange, but the end of May for the 3 door - ie type s's. Also only 2 weeks wait for any other colour!! Have decided that I don't want to lose HID lights or magic seats (will be very useful later this year (I'm a grandma in waiting!!! - baby seats etc)) so I'm looking for a new EX or Sport (as current car) in Tangerine orange, would be very interested to know if you've got any deals NH Dan?????

2nd April 2008, 00:23	#17 (permalink)
NH Dan Newton Honda Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 31st January 2008 Location: South London,Uk Posts: 715 Thanks: 9 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	The dealership may well have just made a decision not to replace the demo's until aug/sept so they have a new fleet on 58 plates. Alot of dealership staff have demo's as their company car so yes, the staff could well be driving them until then. i'm currently running a Type S GT and have been since Jan and have done only 620 ish miles, so will no doubt run it for a good few months more before we think of selling it on....