how to negotiate buying a car at the end of lease

[petemurphy]

Hi,

Our car lease is up shortly and we would be interested in buying the car if the price is right.

Any tips on how to approach the negotiations - its with vw car finance - will they negotiate?

we have full maintenance package on it so intend to get it serviced etc before we buy it but they are asking what condition it is in.

there is a v small dent and the tyres are about ready to be replaced - do we be really honest. ie is it best to make out its knackered and so worth less or do we says its fine as if we dont buy it then need to return it in good order.

will they want to see it as it was from a dealer a long way away but leased through a third party?

any tips appreciated thanks

[spookly]

Have you tried asking them?

They may or may not offer to sell it at all. In my experience they don't seem to offer to sell at a very competitive price, even if they do so at all.

I doubt they'd want to inspect it, as long as you pay what they ask why would they care about the state of the car?

It'll mostly depend on the current value they expect to be able to sell it for (auction, dealer etc depending on condition) minus admin/logistics costs and minus rectification costs if it is going to the dealer network. But I doubt you'd be getting it much cheaper than dealer forecourt stock.