What Car? Q&A - Why are used TT prices so high?

Q. I've been looking to buy an 06-plate Audi TT TFSI, and am astonished that I can't find one for less than £27,000.

I've contacted most Audi dealers in my area, and some of them have them for sale for £29,500 - with around 8000 miles on the clock!

How can this be when the list price is £24,625 new? I expected to pay around £22,000 for a year-old one. Are they trying to rip us off?
Aaron Keane

A: Audi TTs are in high demand - you'd have to wait several months if you wanted a new one.

That means buyers are prepared to pay over the odds for second-hand cars.

Assuming you're interested in the coupe, the list price is £24,900. We've seen used current-generation TTs from about £23,000 at independent garages, but Audi dealers are charging considerably more than that.

Are Audi dealers 'ripping off' buyers? Well, they're certainly making a hefty profit on each car, but buyers are prepared to pay inflated prices to beat the waiting lists.

Waiting lists are shortening, though, so if you can stretch to nearly £25,000, we'd suggest putting your name down for a new one. If you can afford a bit more and can't bear waiting any longer, make sure you haggle hard on the price of a used one.

There will be a big profit in overpriced used cars, but the dealer could be willing to slash the price in order to get a quick sale.