How to buy nearly new cars online?

Many car dealers have nearly new cars on their forecourts ready to go if you want to buy a nearly new car. You can find all nearly new cars available on Auto Trader here.

What does pre-reg mean?

Pre-reg cars are short for pre-registered cars , and another name for nearly new cars. The term ‘pre-reg’ is more commonly used in the auto industry. Nearly new cars are also called pre-reg as they’re pre-registered under the dealership’s name, but these cars are as good as new with fewer than 100 miles on the clock and up to one year old.

Why do dealers pre-register cars?

Dealerships pre-register cars so that they can meet the sales target set by the manufacturers. By hitting their sales target, dealerships receive a bonus which allows them to sell the pre-registered nearly new cars at a bigger discount.

What’s the difference between nearly new and used cars?

The main difference between nearly new and used cars is the mileage, number of previous owners and the age of the cars. Nearly new cars are usually a couple of months old, have one previous owner and have hardly any miles on the clock. Used cars, on the other hand, can be a couple of years old, have more than one previous owner and the mileage can be much higher comparatively. Though technically speaking, nearly new cars are used as they have a previous owner but nearly new cars tend to be in a condition as good as new as they’ve not been driven.

Nearly new cars

New car feeling, without the price tag

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What are nearly new cars?

Nearly new cars or ‘Pre-registered’ cars are less than 12 months old and have done under 100 miles.

Often, these cars are registered with the DVLA by the dealer so they can get a number plate. Nearly new cars have very low mileage because they're owned by the dealership and not an individual.

Nearly new cars are different to Ex-demonstrator cars which have been used by the dealership for test drives, demonstrations or as company cars for the dealership staff. Ex-demo cars may have done a few thousand miles compared to nearly new which have done less than 100.

Why choose a nearly new car?

They cost less

Because a nearly new car has been registered, dealerships can’t sell them as brand new even though they haven’t been used.

They’re low mileage

At under 100 miles, compared to used or ex-demo cars, they’re extremely low mileage.

You get that new car feeling

A nearly new car will look and feel brand new as the only owner will be the dealership and the car will be less than 12 months old.

Things to consider when buying a nearly new car

The manufacturer warranty

Manufacturer warranties start when the car is first registered by the dealer/ Check with the dealer to see how long the car has been registered with them.

The resale value

As you’ll be the second registered keeper of the car, the car’s resale value might be lower than it would be if you had bought the car brand-new and were the only previous registered keeper.

The MOT date

MOT’s are due 3 years from the car’s registration date, depending on when the car was registered you may need to MOT it up-to a year sooner than you would if the car was brand-new.

Find a nearly new car

Search thousands of nearly new cars with Autotrader and get the new car feeling without the price tag.

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Your questions answered

The main difference between nearly new and used cars is the mileage, number of previous owners and the age of the cars.

Nearly new cars are usually a couple of months old, have one previous owner and have hardly any miles on the clock. Used cars, on the other hand, can be a couple of years old, have more than one previous owner and the mileage can be much higher comparatively.

Though technically speaking, nearly new cars are used as they have a previous owner but nearly new cars tend to be in a condition as good as new as they’ve not been driven.

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