What is New Car Buying?

At What Car? our aim is to make car buying as straightforward as possible, so our New Car Buying service puts you in touch with approved franchised dealers who are guaranteed to match or beat our Target Price. This is set by a team of mystery shoppers who are constantly checking what discounts are available, so you don’t have to go through the hassle of haggling.

Simply click the ‘Get best price’ button by the car you’re interested in, and we’ll alert dealers in your area so they can send you their latest offers. It’s all done through our website, so they can’t see your personal details until you decide you’re ready to buy. Find out more

How do I compare offers?

You can request quotes on as many different cars as you like, and your personalised ‘My deals’ page makes it easy to compare them all in one place. To message dealers, just click the ‘Deals’ icon, which can be found in the top right hand corner of the navigation bar on

Can I get personalised finance quotes and part exchange offers?

In addition to our Target Price, we provide a Target PCP monthly finance price. Where possible, this is based upon 48 months, a 15% deposit and a 8,000-mile annual mileage limit, so you can directly compare different models. However, every offer you receive also allows you to request a personalised finance offer or part exchange value, at the click of a button.

When is the best time to buy a new car?

New number plates are introduced every March and September, which is usually when car sales peak, so savvy shoppers should avoid these times. It’s also better to buy in the second half of the month or quarter, when dealerships may be worried about hitting a specific sales target. Find out more

What is Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)?

This form of finance is the most popular way of buying a new car. Unlike hire purchase agreements, which divide the total amount borrowed into equal payments, PCP deals involve smaller monthly bills, followed by a larger final payment if you want to keep the car. However, most people never pay this; instead they hand the car back and start a new PCP deal. Find out more