2016 saw record used car sales of 7.7 million and this translated into a very busy year for auctions, as dealers bought cars to fill forecourts to meet consumer demands. “Following what could be described as an uncertain political and economic climate, 2016 marked a strong performance from the UK motor auction sector”, commented Louise Wallis, head of The National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA).
New figures from My Car Check show that the risk of buying a previously written-off vehicle is much higher in some UK cities than others. Around 1 in 4 cars checked in London and Birmingham over the last year were found to have been written-off, compared to around 1 in 7 in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bristol.
Analysing the car market following the introduction of the 66 plate, head of valuation services at My Car Check, Gavin Amos says that the used car market has improved, while 4×4 sales remains strong. “The used market picked up throughout September with many dealers and traders reporting strong enquiry levels. For main agents, attention has […]
The E46 BMW M3 is Glass’s Used Car Hero for September, providing a driving experience to rival almost any supercar in a family-friendly package. Andy Cutler, forecast values editor, said: “This generation of M3 was recognised as very special from the moment it went on sale in 2000 and is fast becoming recognised as a classic.
Citroen’s popular Berlingo, a mainstay of many fleets that has been around since 1996, is Glass’s Used Van Hero for September. Each month, Glass’s commercial vehicle editors hold a meeting to name the current Used Van Hero in the UK market – the model they believe offers outstanding value, quality and ability.
Analysis of My Car Check data for the first half of 2016 has revealed the UK used cars most likely to have been written-off. Nearly a quarter (23.67 per cent) of all searches returned a write-off warning, with the riskiest models being the Peugeot 208 Active and the Ford Fiesta Edge 60.
My Car Check’s valuation experts have spoken about the significant trends in the UK used vehicle market for August, adding its car of the month. Head of valuation services at My Car Check, Gavin Amos, said: “Used car sales have slowed over the last month, which is only to be expected at this time of year.”
Retrofit add-ons like big bore exhausts, aftermarket alloys and tinted glass can put off potential used car buyers and destroy values, says Glass’s. Andy Cutler, forecast values editor, explained that these non-manufacturer options suggested that the previous owner was a boy racer and the car would have been driven hard.
Following the publication of the SMMT’s UK monthly automotive manufacturing figures for June, Chris Bosworth, director of strategy at Close Brothers Motor Finance, suggests that the current growth spurt may be coming to a close. The extent to which this will be affected by Brexit remains to be seen, Bosworth adds, though it coincides with what he calls an “inflection point” for the UK car market.
My Car Check’s valuation experts reveal significant trends in the UK used vehicle market and choose a car and bike of the month. Head of valuation services Gavin Amos said: “The launch of the new Mercedes C Class has made the previous generation models a great value route into this prestige brand. All 2007 onward derivatives are well built, drive beautifully and can stand the miles, with the economical yet powerful diesel variants particularly desirable. There are plenty out there to choose from and full main dealer service history is always a good start.”
Valuations experts Glass’s have named the top five optional extras that add value when it comes to selling your car. Rupert Pontin, director of valuations, said that few options increased the value of a vehicle or made it easier to move on when it resold but that there were some exceptions.
A new report into the UK’s car buying habits has revealed the impact that technological and generational changes are having on the country’s motorists – and the people they buy their cars from. The 2016 Car Buyers’ Census, compiled from an online YouGov poll by the search engine Carsnip, revealed a growing ‘generation gap’ among drivers, with many younger people embracing new technologies and peer-reviews to make the task of purchasing a car easier than ever. According to the survey, so-called ‘Millennial and ‘Generation Z’ drivers were twice as likely to use online car search when buying a car compared to over-55s.
Analysis of My Car Check data for the year to end of April 2016 has revealed the UK used vehicles most likely to have two serious warnings against them. The riskiest model in this regard was the Vauxhall Corsa SXI AC, with 6.25 per cent of those checked having both write-off and finance warnings, despite a reasonably high average value of £7,348.
The used car market is starting to reach the long-predicted tipping point into oversupply – with values coming under pressure as a result, reports Glass’s. Rupert Pontin, head of valuations, said that the volume of vehicles at auction had already increased by 3.7 per cent in 2016 and that a wide range of models were starting to fall in value as a result.
Some late-plate Defenders are selling in excess of list price as the end of production leaves Land Rover aficionados to seek out the best used examples available, according to Glass’s. Demand is highest for the XS Station Wagon, fitted with half-leather and air conditioning, with prices in line with Glass’s top condition values and often beating them in closed sales.
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