What Car? Q&A - Is paint protection worth it?

Q: I'm buying a new car, and the dealer is offering a 'Supaguard' paint-protection treatment for the exterior for £350. Is this a good deal?
Harry Dhillon

A: Supaguard is a coating applied to the car's paintwork. You can't see it, but it helps protect against UV light, which can dull the paint colour over time, and organic matter (such as bird droppings and tree sap).

The dealer will be making a healthy profit by charging you £350 - we reckon the actual cost of the treatment is more like £100 - but if you have to park under a lot of trees, it might be worth considering.

If you do decide to go ahead with it, don't be afraid to haggle. The large profit margin means the salesman will almost certainly be willing to negotiate on the price.

Also make sure that the dealer supplies you with a certificate, confirming the Supaguard treatment has been applied. This might help when you come to sell the car.