NEWS

CAR dealers are freeing up more time to spend chasing sales opportunities thanks to online sourcing services. Being able to secure fresh car stock without leaving the office is proving a big advantage during tough trading conditions, says ecommerce specialist epyx. The firm’s business development head Ken Trinder says even those who insist on seeing [...]

MANHEIM has reported average used car values fell by almost 5% in June 2010, with fleet cars leading the decline. Fleet sector prices fell by 7 percent, with dealer part-exchanges only just behind on 6.5 percent. Manufacturer stock helped stemmed the decline, with a lesser fall of 1.9 percent. Despite this, though, used car values [...]

PRIVATE buyers who don’t get an inspection done can face pricey repairs within weeks warns one car dealer. Carsite.co.uk’s independent RAC inspector says that those buying privately are not protected legally – and many are finding the risk to be a costly one. Government MOT stats show a large number of models are being sold [...]

AUCTION4CARS says CAP has not gone far enough in reducing used car values following its latest move. Group disposal manager says used car values have fallen for the second month in succession – and is frustrated the Black Book is lagging. Stats from Auctio4Cars auctions show values have fallen 8 percent since January. However, the [...]

FORD has scooped two CAP used car of the decade prizes with the Focus and Ka both triumphing. The Ford Ka has been voted small car of the decade by CAP, while the Ford Focus has claimed the overall used car of the decade prize. It was a unanimous vote for the Focus too, says [...]

TOYOTA cars have suffered no discernible drop in secondhand values following the recent big recalls. Glass’s says there are no signs of any change as the maker begins to recover after the past few months’ drama. ‘Many Toyota models still boast some of the strongest residuals in the UK used car market,’ said Glass’s car [...]

FERRARI says it now boasts the most reassuring official used car warranty support package on the market. The firm reports it is seeing a big upturn in interest for used stock following its extended used car warranty announcement. This sees Ferraris aged up to 8 years covered by a full 2 year used car warranty [...]

CAP Black Book reports another month of used car price stability for April as supply and demand continue in balance. This is because the new car sector remains fragile, which is ensuring there is no risk of used market oversupply. Short-cycle business in particular is ‘dramatically’ down say the used car experts. This stability is [...]

VAUXHALL once again claimed top slot in the used car honours for 2009 with the Corsa supermini. It beat its arch-rival, Ford’s Fiesta, and also knocked the 2008 champion – the Vauxhall Astra – off its leading position. Car Dealer Magazine lists the full top 10 below – along with the top 10 used car [...]

USED car sales in 2009 plunged to their lowest level in almost a decade reports data expert Experian. A drop of 5.7 percent saw 6,798,864 used cars sold in 2009. This is comparable to 2000, says Experian, when 6,713,269 used cars were sold – and is a culmination of sales that fell every singe quarter [...]

MANHEIM has predicted 2010 will be a positive year for used car retailers as the recovery continues. However, it has also warned car dealers to start preparing now for future challenges in the used car market. Weak registrations in 2008 and 2009, it explained, will limit the use car pool in 3 to 4 years’ [...]

HPI is updating its unique used car CO2 Certificate in line with the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership. The label is given as part of the HPI Check for free – and now incorporates new recommendations from the LowCVP. This includes displaying an estimated fuel cost over 12,000 miles, plus VED banding relating to CO2 emissions [...]

CAR dealers are being forced to use all sources possible in order to continue a supply of used cars and trucks. Ecommerce specialist epyx says car dealers are having to be more creative than ever in order to solve their used stock sourcing dramas. Naturally, it reckons, these avenues include the firm’s 1link Disposal Network, [...]

USED car dealers have been slated by buyers in a series of reports recently published by the OFT. OFT investigations into second hand car sales have produced 4 reports into the state of the market. Consumers have taken the opportunity to express their disappointment with used car dealers in them, with the surveys finding that: [...]

CAP has ranked the UK’s top used market stars of the past 10 years – with Ford topping the overall list. The Ford Focus is CAP’s official Used Car of the Decade. Judges included many used market experts. They voted unanimously to give the overall prize to the Ford Focus, thanks to it setting ‘new [...]

USED cars will now display a customer-friendly fuel economy mpg label, with the launch of a new initiative. Minister for transport Sadiq Khan MP unveiled the scheme, to which 1500 car dealers have already signed up. Mirroring the official new car eco label used by over 9 in 10 dealers, it brings colour-coded used car [...]

50 percent of used buyers seeking £20k-plus cars will be looking for better mpg when they next buy, says BCA. The stark findings headline the firm’s latest Used Car Market report. Indeed, green issues and saving money dominate the report, says BCA. It’s not before seen such a marked shift towards saving money, as rising [...]

BCA says used car values have now risen for three full quarters – and reached a record price level. Never before has the average used car value topped the £6000 barrier. Yet, in July, it stood at £6028 – a 3 percent rise on June values alone. This represents a massive 21.8 percent increase on [...]

UNPRECEDENTED demand for used cars is shattering CAP predictions that prices would stabilise in the summer. The latest edition of the price guide shows further increases in used car prices. This is creating big headaches for car dealers, reckons CAP, who remain desperate for stock – despite a slight decline in retail demand. As there [...]

CREDIT crunched motorists are buying ever-more 3 year old cars, as they cut back on spending. A new survey reveals a DOUBLING of the market for older cars. More than 41 percent of buyers plan to buy an older car. That’s up from 22 percent a year ago, says American Express Insurance Services. In contrast, [...]