Almost a third of male drivers and a fifth of female motorists now resent their cars, according to a Nationwide Autocentre survey. Rising fuel costs (74%) and road tax (53%) were sited as the main reasons for this new-found attitude. Road rage was also highlighted as a turn-off, with 38% of women and 29% of men finding it a problem. … [Read more...]
Cheap used cars all the rage
September 29, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Although we are all being squeezed from every angle at present and a large a-la carte menu of doom and disaster is served to us on a daily basis, we will still need to carry on as normal as possible. If we have earmarked right now as a time to buy a used car, and we haven’t got a car to trade in, it could be just the time to do so. … [Read more...]
Dealers concern at the August figures media storm
September 29, 2008 By Leave a Comment
When the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders announced the figures, it said the 63,225 total was the lowest August result since 1966. That prompted front page headlines nationally. … [Read more...]
Ex-company cars can be pre-loved…
September 28, 2008 By Leave a Comment
We left you last week sampling the delights of the auction cafe. Things are now hotting up, the constant garble of the auctioneer is still blaring and to make things slightly more intimidating there are two halls active both with cars going through at the same time. … [Read more...]
Qualification equals satisfaction
September 26, 2008 By Leave a Comment
As an insider of many years standing I have been a student, a senior salesman, a sales controller, a manager, a coach, a disciplinarian, a friend, a brand manager, a sage, a brother, an entrepreneur and a fountain of knowledge and one message that I consistently convey … [Read more...]
Car dealers warned over part-exchange pitfalls
September 25, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Car dealers have been warned to pay closer attention when appraising part-exchange vehicles in order to maximise profits during this turbulent period of economic instability. Vehicle condition is more important than ever, according to Manheim Auctions, as trade buyers are significantly reducing trade values for damaged or missing items. … [Read more...]
Used or new, a changing picture
September 24, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Price is now (if it wasn’t already) the most important factor when choosing a used car according to a recent survey and with over 10% of prospective buyers choosing to defer a purchase due to economic concerns it’s a sensitive subject. … [Read more...]
Ex-Rental cars, a good purchase?
September 24, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Over the past 10 years rental cars have been more or less the mainstay of any main dealers used car forecourt as they are readily available from manufacturers who sell them direct to the rental companies in varying degrees of volume. … [Read more...]
But a Jag?
September 24, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Some of my sources in the trade are reporting that the Jaguar product is now such good value for money that it may just be time to buy a classic badge steeped in history. … [Read more...]
Supercar success!
September 23, 2008 By Leave a Comment
I've just handed back an Audi R8 press car after a very enjoyable months' motoring. Funny thing is, as a non supercar owner I haven't seen one for Adam, then all of a sudden I've counted over ten. Why is it that as soon as you're driving one they all seem to come out of the wood work? … [Read more...]
eBay points to changing buying habits
September 22, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Motorists are showing the current strain on their wallets on online car buying sites, according to eBayMotors.com. eBay data has shown car buyers becoming more savvy, increasingly researching resale values online before purchasing second-hand vehicles. … [Read more...]
Confidence in used cars
September 22, 2008 By 3 Comments
I would like to share some stats with you about the reality of buying used cars in Britain today and maybe it could instill more confidence when making that next choice. Although used car sales fell to 7.1 million in 2007 UK drivers still spent a staggering £33.3 billion on used cars making it the 2nd highest figure ever recorded! … [Read more...]
Average car insurance tops £500
September 22, 2008 By 1 Comment
The average price of car insurance has topped £500 for the first time since it launched a cost survey in June 2005, according to Sainsbury’s Finance. In the year from July 2007 to June 2008 an average premium was 5.8% higher – £514.36 compared with £486.13. … [Read more...]
Untrustworthy liars and con-men
September 20, 2008 By 3 Comments
I recently came across some less than favourable comments regarding car salesman (and the motor trade in general to be fair) and the fact that they are “untrustworthy”, “liars” and “con men”. Well this perception is widespread and, perhaps in many cases, totally justifiable. I felt compelled to respond to this, not by way of … [Read more...]
Top 10 cloned vehicles
September 20, 2008 By Leave a Comment
A new survey has revealed that cloning cars is on the increase with Mercedes C Class and Ford Transit topping an HPI list of most cloned vehicles. Criminals create a clone of a car by stealing the id of another vehicle, replacing the number plates and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on their car with the stolen id from an identical car … [Read more...]
Should I buy my next car from a public auction?
September 19, 2008 By Leave a Comment
In the quest to answer the question ‘Should I buy my next car from a public auction?’ The best starting place should be to establish what these mildly mysterious places are all about. Whether it is lack of access, interest or underlying fear, many of us have heard all about them but haven’t actually been to one. … [Read more...]
Increase in extended warranties – are they worth the paper they are written on?
September 19, 2008 By Leave a Comment
What cuts are you making to reduce your outgoings during the so-called 'credit crunch?' Getting rid of the family taxi doesn't seem to be one of them according to a recent report. Although at MTI we never complain of new punters strolling onto our forecourts or the continuous flow of customers swarming into the service departments, extending the … [Read more...]
An alternative way to buy your next car
September 17, 2008 By 2 Comments
Modern day car buying is now all about choice. The consumer has so many options when buying a car these days that it can be a little daunting venturing out into the market. One alternative way of getting that new car, which is increasing in popularity is to utilize the services of a broker or “sourcing specialist” as they are sometimes … [Read more...]
How to keep used cars green
September 16, 2008 By Leave a Comment
You don’t necessarily have to own a green car to be a green driver. There are many adjustments you can make to your driving style to become more economical and efficient behind the wheel. Indeed there are also steps you can take to improve the performance of your vehicle. … [Read more...]
Court fines Pendragon dealership for misleading adverts
September 16, 2008 By Leave a Comment
A Pendragon dealership has been found guilty of misleading customers with its finance offers. The Vauxhall outlet, at St James Square, Gateshead, was convicted of two offences under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. … [Read more...]
Motor Trade language is dying out
September 15, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Here are a few examples of phrases which have been used in the trade for years, although it’s unlikely that a customer would get to hear many of them, like knowing a foreign language if you do hear these phrases at anytime it’s nice to know isn’t it? … [Read more...]
Missed targets and massive discounts
September 14, 2008 By Leave a Comment
It’s nearly mid-September and you can be sure that most manufacturers are under pressure from the factories to achieve pre-agreed new car sales targets. The only problem is that this year most dealers are probably not going to manage even 70% of those targets. … [Read more...]
Internet enhancing used car sales
September 13, 2008 By Leave a Comment
The process of finding a used car is now becoming much more sophisticated. In many franchised dealer showrooms today a customer may enquire after a particular car with a certain specification age and colour and so on, and a salesman may say we don’t have one in that colour or spec but we do have something near to your requirements. … [Read more...]
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