For a considerable time now Autotrader.co.uk have had it virtually all their own way with regard to being the top dog for on-line used car advertising in this country. With eBay’s recent acquisition of trade2trade however … [Read more...]
Could Volvo be heading east?
February 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Chinese carmaker Chery Automobile has contacted several European auto brands, including Ford Motor's Volvo, and is interested in an acquisition, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said today. … [Read more...]
Bargain of the Week – Maserati Gran Turismo
January 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Refreshed and ready for 2009, MTI’s Bargain of The Week series kicks off again with gusto. Just before the whistle blows, big news to all those who followed last year’s BOTW. The Alfa 166 has finally found a new home. … [Read more...]
Rise of the auctions – should dealers be concerned?
January 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment
As auctions around the country report a strong start to 2009, we ask the question; are more people now buying from auctions rather than dealers? If so where does this leave the future of many independent and franchised … [Read more...]
Inside the car auction – let the bidding commence
January 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The car auction is one of the few ‘open cry’ markets that are left, gone are the days of the city bear pits where stocks were traded by young men screaming orders across an already noisy and seemingly disordered forum. … [Read more...]
Regional variations in car prices – a traders tale
November 27, 2008 By Leave a Comment
Many many years ago when Mrs Thatcher ruled the world and consumers got excited if their new car came with cloth trim, I would regularly get the overnight train (dubbed the "Red eye" because it was almost impossible to sleep … [Read more...]
Inside the auction – beware of the dark side
November 5, 2008 By 2 Comments
It’s getting closer towards what historically has been the best time of year to buy a used car and never more so than this Winter. The spectacularly chaotic mess that our fiscal brethren are dealing with is really having a weird affect on the used car market. … [Read more...]
Inside the car auction – dealer part-exchanges
October 19, 2008 By Leave a Comment
In the last article in this series we talked about the lease/company car section of the auction halls, to continue on our trade tour inside the car auction we’re going to explore what’s going on in other areas. We’ll be leaving the rows of clean and prepared lease cars and heading towards the main dealer part exchanges. … [Read more...]
Prius get’s the thumbs up from eBay
October 3, 2008 By Leave a Comment
I have just come off the telephone with an old friend of mine who retails a lot of his cars on ebay motors. He recently told me about a Toyota Prius he's taken on board and I was intrigued as to what his thoughts were of this mainstream Hybrid and how much interest he was getting. … [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...]
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...]
Inside the car auction
September 12, 2008 By 3 Comments
A common question we regularly receive is; “Is it a good idea to buy a car from a public auction and what advice can you give on the best way to go about it?” From a professional motor traders point it’s not an easy one to answer and it’s a question I have, in the past asked myself. … [Read more...]
Ebay the place for classics
September 1, 2008 By Leave a Comment
I spoke to the ebay boys today, and they have had a record month with sales, they have even managed to get 4th place on the ebay pulse with an old Morris Minor convertible for which they had 6000 watchers! … [Read more...]
Demand is still there for used cars, says Manheim
September 1, 2008 By Leave a Comment
A survey of 100 franchised dealers by Manheim Retail Services has found that demand for used cars is holding up despite the UK's economic downturn. Dealers reported that showroom walk-ins were still relatively strong, representing around two-thirds of enquiries. … [Read more...]
A happy ending…
July 24, 2008 By Leave a Comment
The story of my friend who recently divorced and had to go into the dangerous world of used car sales has come to a happy conclusion I am pleased to report, however before I tell the tale let me just recap some of the events leading up to the purchase. … [Read more...]
Entering the unknown
July 3, 2008 By Leave a Comment
I took a friend to the auction today; she has recently gone through a messy divorce to her soul mate, who ran off with a younger model. The company smoke went back and she found herself in the position of venturing into the unknown, i.e. buying a car with a limited budget and making it sexy, practical, reliable, and well specified with low … [Read more...]
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