RETURN of the 4×4!
February 11th, 2009 by Richard Aucock
DEMAND for 4x4s and SUVs is on the up, says BCA – with average sales prices rising for SIX months in a row.
The auction house has revealed that used 4×4 values are now at the same level they were a year ago, meaning they have escaped the worst effects of the recession!
It’s taken everyone by surprise. ‘With increased fuel prices and the threat of government taxes to deter motorists from choosing bigger vehicles, there was a real expectation that there would be a significant downturn in sales and values for 4x4s,’ said BCA’s Tim Naylor.
We all know that was initially true. Average values fell by over £2000 in a few dramatic weeks. Some dealers would only buy SUVs to order. Others point-blank refused to take them in part exchange.
But then, fuel prices started to fall – as buyers started to realise what bargains 4x4s had become. That’s when prices started to rise again, said Naylor.
‘In January, the average value for a 4 year old SUV at 50,000 miles was £8566 – showing a small increase over December’s figure, and just behind the peak values recorded last year.’
What’s more, even the weather’s helped! ‘If the snowy weather of the past few days has taught us anything, it’s that it’s hard to beat the pulling power or sure-footedness of a proper off-roader when the going gets tough.
‘With that in mind it will be interesting to see if values improve yet again in February…’
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