Nearly New Cars Deals

Browse high-quality pre-registered cars from a huge range of brands

For all deals, please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. All prices include VAT.

What are nearly new cars?

Nearly new car are mainly pre-registered cars. These cars are registered with the DVLA by the dealer, usually to hit sales targets, but that no customer has ever owned or driven.

Because the car has already been registered, the dealer has absorbed the first drop in value, so you can buy it for less than the list price. These cars are usually less than 12 months old, with little more than delivery mileage, and come with the rest of the manufacturer warranty. It’s already in stock, so you can usually drive it away in days rather than waiting months for a factory order.

The trade-off is that you choose from cars already built, so you can’t pick every option yourself, and you’ll be listed as the second owner on the logbook (V5C).

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Why buy a nearly new car with Carwow

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All cars come mechanically checked and with a manufacturer-backed warranty

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New cars

Discounts shown upfront – no need to negotiate
Pay monthly with flexible finance options
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Browse cars from 5,500+ dealers nationwide
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Pay a set amount each month over a period of 2, 3 or 4 years
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Nearly new car FAQs

What is a pre-registered car?

A pre-registered car is a new car that, while never owned by an individual, has been registered to a dealership or leasing company. These cars are technically considered used, despite having low or delivery mileage. They offer immediate availability and good value for money, as they are sold at a discount compared to brand-new models.

Where to buy nearly new cars?

A wide range of dealerships have nearly new, pre-registered cars in stock. You can check the latest offers available right here on Carwow.

Do you pay VAT on nearly new cars?

When buying a nearly new car from a dealership, you will have to pay VAT. However, most dealers take advantage of the second-hand margin scheme, where VAT is applied to the dealer’s profit rather than the car’s selling price. The rate is calculated as a sixth of the profit and will not be noted on the receipt. The other rarely used option is to charge the VAT at 20% of the car’s selling price.

Your dealer is not legally required to tell you which method they have applied, so if you’re concerned about any hidden costs, ask which VAT scheme they use.

Is it worth buying a pre-registered car?

Pre-registered cars have the advantage of being immediately available with low or delivery mileage. They also represent great value for money as they’re sold at a discount compared to brand-new models.

However, unlike a brand-new car, where you can choose your exact spec, with a pre-registered car, you get the spec you’re given. You’ll also be listed as the vehicle’s second owner rather than its first, which could lower your car’s resale value in the long term.

Is it better to buy a new or nearly new car?

Deciding whether to buy new or newly new depends on your personal priorities. Check out our list of pros and cons to help you choose.

Pros of buying a pre-registered car:

- While a pre-registered car is technically a used car with minimal mileage, the immediate depreciation is absorbed by the dealer, meaning significant savings for you

- Dealers are often keen to sell these cars quickly to free up cash, meaning they’re more open to negotiating on price.

- Yes, you may be the second owner, but a pre-registered car is very similar to one fresh off the factory line, so while you’re not the first registered owner, you’re still the first public buyer.

- Pre-registered cars will either be parked on a dealership forecourt or in storage ready to go, so you can drive away with your new car within days once you’ve signed on the dotted line.

Cons of buying a pre-registered car:

- The manufacturer’s warranty starts from the car’s original registration date, not when you buy it. This means your warranty period will be a bit shorter, so always double-check the car’s registration date.

- Though technically you’re the first real owner of the car, you’ll be registered as the second, which could result in further depreciation when the time comes to sell your car.

- If you’re ordering a brand-new car, you’ll have full freedom over how you spec it. That’s not the case with a pre-registered car so it may be hard to find a model specified exactly the way you want.