For a family outgrowing the old one, a first car of your own or a long commute. New car prices across Australia over ten years, and the questions worth putting to every dealer.
The price, ten years on
Motor vehicles, across Australia, from the ABS Consumer Price Index. The ABS prices new cars for this class, including long term hire and lease, and does not price used ones.
June 2016$100
June 2026$118
$136Everything a household buys, over the same years
Up over ten years, by less than everything a household buys.
$90$100$110$120$130$140$118$136
20162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Motor vehiclesAll groups CPI, everything a household buys
Buying a new car. The first half is what to look for yourself. Put the second half to each place you try.
Look for
How you will use itSeats, boot space, towing, city driving or long trips.
The drive away price as quotedAsk for it in writing for the exact model, colour and options you want.
A test drive on your own roadsHills, the school run, your driveway and your parking spot.
What comes with the modelMats, a spare wheel, a tow bar, a charging cable, and what is an option.
Running costs you can checkFuel or charging, tyres and servicing for that model.
Ask
01What is the drive away price for this exact car?Ask for it written down, with the colour and options listed.
02What is included, and what costs extra?Paint protection, tinting, mats, accessories, delivery to you.
03When would the car be delivered?Ask whether the date is firm.
04Can I take it for a longer drive, or overnight?Ask whether a day at home with it is possible.
05What would you offer for my current car as a trade in?Ask for that amount on its own, apart from the price of the new car.
From motorvehicle.com.au, a concept page.
Choosing a model
Begin with the trips you make every week, not the one big holiday. A car that fits the daily run comfortably, with room for who and what you carry, will serve you better than one bought for a rare drive.
Drive two or three models back to back, on the same day if you can, so the differences in seat, view and handling are still fresh.
Asking every dealer the same questions
Put the same questions to each dealer and ask for each answer in writing. With the drive away price, what is included and the delivery date side by side, the offers are far easier to weigh.
Keep the trade in apart from the new car. Two separate answers show you more clearly what each part of the deal is worth.
Shows whether a business's ABN is active or cancelled, its business type and its GST status, and the Register says the public can use it to check a business before buying.