have you had the same surprise as this guy and not a confirmed price?
https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/13/man-gets-brexit-surprise-on-invoice-for-new-mercedes-benz-12038546

Worse still what if there where a situation where they would not clear the car to enter the country, he could be waiting a very long time and still not know how much it’s gonna cost him.

The answer dont buy german, they sell 20% of all new cars to the uk. Hang on for a few weeks make them sweat. Watch those prices crash as the offers come. Never happen people will just want it now and sign up.
I would have asked for my deposit back until they can confirm a fixed price, im sure that would speed up a fixed price offer.

All things Brexit come with a huge spin. It's either armageddon (which never arrives) or its no problem. The Metro has always been anti Brexit so we can guess which way they'll spin the story.

The way to see if there's really a car buying problem is to get a quote on something like a Tesla. If imports to UK are difficult they'll have the same issues as anyone else.

As for buying a new German car - do we really want to take the risk? Their economy is struggling their big car companies operate on low margins and high leverage AND they have done nothing to counter the effects of Tesla taking their high value (read profitable) market share. The permanent loss of even a small percentage of that lucrative market will cause genuine damage to the old car makers.

The longer term issue will be depreciation.

If you think electric cars will still be nowhere in three years time then buy any car and don't worry about it. If you think electric cars will be taking significant market share in three years time, you can expect your petrol car residual value to have crashed. If it's on a PCP and you've checked the residuals small print and its not your problem then fill your boots.

DaveMcT said:

It's either armageddon (which never arrives) or its no problem.

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Could that be because we haven't had Brexit yet? Either in the for of leaving in a couple of weeks or after transition?

Maybemaybenot said:

Could that be because we haven't had Brexit yet? Either in the for of leaving in a couple of weeks or after transition?

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Of course it could. But the people who constantly shove the bad side of Brexit are the same ones who wanted UK to join the Euro saying all the same problems would manifest if we stayed outside. They were wrong then and to date they've been wrong about the bad things Brexit is supposed to bring.

It's more likely their pronouncements over Brexit will also be wrong, but one way or the other we will find out this year who was right.

DaveMcT said:

Of course it could. But the people who constantly shove the bad side of Brexit are the same ones who wanted UK to join the Euro saying all the same problems would manifest if we stayed outside. They were wrong then and to date they've been wrong about the bad things Brexit is supposed to bring.

It's more likely their pronouncements over Brexit will also be wrong, but one way or the other we will find out this year who was right.

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how was not joining the euro wrong when the 3 has fallen loads against it now.

do you know how much leaving has already cost?
https://www.businessinsider.com/brexit-will-cost-uk-more-than-total-payments-to-eu-2020-1

In the 1990s UK joined the ERM the fore-runner of the Euro. Sterling joined at the required exchange rate which was clearly too high. Consequently it was thrown out when the markets decided £s were not worth what UK and EU governments said it was worth.

A few years later the Euro came along with many countries being allowed (if not encouraged) to fiddle the figures. UK Treasury said no and was proved 100% right by subsequent events (reads Germany hoovering up the South and the Greek mess). UK has always been on the opposite economic curve to the Euro so the time really has never been right.

Brexit came along and the value of Sterling fell. But it had been to high for too long and exporters were struggling. Despite project doom, the economy took off. It's only faded during 2019 because of the uncertainty caused by Theresa May's woeful leadership and hung parliament.

Nobody knows where 2020 will go but the markets don't seem too worried as the numbers came up immediately that Boris won his 80 seat majority. Time will tell, but the way its going, Singapore on Thames is looking more likely than Athens on Tyne.

DaveMcT said:

Despite project doom, the economy took off. It's only faded during 2019 because of the uncertainty caused by Theresa May's woeful leadership and hung parliament.

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Took off?

Without wanting to come down on one side of the debate or t'other that looks like Merc' trying to cash in on Brexit and trying to stiff the fella out of a few quid.

OR

Maybe they're being honest and trying not to stiff him by being upfront and just limiting their liability.


The closet socialist in me thinks he can probably afford it anyway as he can afford a Merc!

Ordered a new 4x4 Cross on Friday. Made sure to buy a car in stock in the UK

Paddynabs said:

Without wanting to come down on one side of the debate or t'other that looks like Merc' trying to cash in on Brexit and trying to stiff the fella out of a few quid.

OR

Maybe they're being honest and trying not to stiff him by being upfront and just limiting their liability.

The closet socialist in me thinks he can probably afford it anyway as he can afford a Merc!

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Anyone with 1/2 a brain would have told Merc to do one and ask for his money back.

Maybemaybenot said:

Ordered a new 4x4 Cross on Friday. Made sure to buy a car in stock in the UK

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I’d be interested to see what tyres you get on it - configurator shows 185/65 mud and snow - mine bought in Nov has 175/65 summer tyres. I’ve been waiting for Fiat Customer Care to resolve now for 3 weels

Price list lists summer tyres for all now unfortunately