June 20, 2013

Caution pays

caution-pays

When there is a recession in town, buyers look for bargains and cost savings across the board and especially so when buying cars. Unfortunately in their quest to find a cheap car people often overlook quality issues and the car can turn out to be not quite the cost saving it promised to be. For example with more private buyers visiting car … [Read more...]

Car dealers get the jitters

Unfortunately the austerity measures currently being proposed will without doubt have a de-stabilising effect on the car market. We are hearing of large volumes of cars unsold at auctions, and prices in the region of 'cap below average'. Although most commentators predict this is a temporary measure given the long term fact that there will be a … [Read more...]

Dealers still upbeat

Although the trade is not quite in the excited state it was at this time last year, as we commence the second quarter there is cautious optimism about the year ahead. The fact that our darling chancellor mostly played it safe - now there’s a surprise - meant that for the motorist and the people responsible for looking after them the news at least … [Read more...]

Taking the temperature of the trade and fearing the budget

Prices at auction seem to be showing no sign of slowing as good quality low mileage cars remain scarce, and dealers are already feeling the effects of the end of scrappage and wondering how they will fill the gap. Buyers need to look carefully over the coming weeks and months for manufacturers offering their dealers incentives to shift more … [Read more...]

Look out for offers as dealers chase servicing profits

It is widely accepted that in many car showrooms used car sales have provided the vast majority of the profit opportunities in 2009. From almost the first week of January this car dealers quickly learned to expect the unexpected and when the cash for bangers scheme was announced new car sales joined the profit party. This made dealers and … [Read more...]

Bargain of the Week – Peugeot 306 convertible

Having been off with tonsillitis for the last two weeks my DB7 hasn’t seen much action. What my recuperation has given me is time to re-jig our Bargain of The Week series and consider selling the Aston. … [Read more...]

Why are private buyers flocking to the auction?

After writing several articles about the rise of the private auction buyer and why they are turning up to bid in their droves, curiosity finally got the better of me this week. In the course of my work in the trade … [Read more...]

Bargain of the Week- Aston Martin DB7

It must be a record. One week of British sunshine without a downpour. Other than a good BBQ having a decent car to appreciate the weather is essential, well, for us blokes anyway. As you may know, … [Read more...]

Bargain of the Week- Maserati Spyder

I’ve been in a slight dilemma this week. Having seen two potential cars for our Summer BOTW my heart won over my head and I’ve parted with my own cash again and come home with another car. Good … [Read more...]

Easter break has not diminished sales volumes

Although the market for used cars is certainly receding from the giddy heights reached in January and February, supply is still a big factor and potential buyers are still visiting showrooms in numbers. Dealers are … [Read more...]

Bargain of the Week- Renault Megane CC

Summers on the way and if the amount of friends asking me which is the best convertible to buy is anything to go by, I’m a very popular person at the moment. Instead of dashing across the country in search of our featured car, this … [Read more...]

Car makers offer peace of mind to potential customers

More car manufacturers are coming out with schemes to offer peace of mind to potential purchasers worried about losing their jobs in the recession. … [Read more...]

Motor Trade Apprentice

Welcome to “The Motor Trade Apprentice”. Sir Alan sets a task for our young apprentices; they are given £100,000 to spend on 10 used cars across the whole range of subtypes and the challenge is they have … [Read more...]

Bargain of the Week- Renault Sport Spider

This week’s BOTW is quite a rare find. The Renault Sport Spider could still be put into a hall of classic Ferrari’s and Porsches and draw in a curious crowd. It was such a milestone not only for Renault but the … [Read more...]

Buy new? The gap’s not nearly close enough

www.uk-car-discount.co.uk has a brand new Mazda6 listed on their site at a reduction of £3,389 off list, making an on the road price of £13,626. Docklands Mazda has an 08 example with the exact … [Read more...]

Bargain of the Week – Vauxhall Astra 2.2 16V Convertible

Did you know that the UK consumes more convertibles than any other country in Europe? Nope, nor did I. Strange when the unique selling point of an old fashioned convertible can only be fully utilised … [Read more...]

15 reasons people buy the wrong car

Mr Smith visits his local Mercedes dealer. He knows he wants a new car and other than the fact that he’s pretty sure he wants a Mercedes he hasn’t done any other research. So he enters the Mercedes showroom and the following happens: Mr Smith is immediately approached by a salesman (let’s call him “Andy”). He’s offered a coffee and … [Read more...]

Bargain of the Week – Subaru Impreza WRX (Revisited)

Over the last six weeks I must have seen over thirty different cars all lined up for the possible title of our Bargain of The Week. A friend of mine the other day said it must be an easy task especially as all you need … [Read more...]

Bargain of the Week – Cosworth Mercedes 190E

Good grief! where have the last seven days gone? Here I am again reporting on having been on the lookout for another weekly bargain. To be honest, there’s been so many offers that this week in particular, I’ve found it … [Read more...]

Saying goodbye to the company car

These are tough times we are going through and lots of hard working people have lost their jobs. Unfortunately so will many more before we’re done with this recession business. It’s hard enough when you lose your job with … [Read more...]

Bargain of the Week – Subaru Impreza WRX

I’ll be honest; contributing to the BOTW can be a hard job sometimes. Searching, sourcing and even doing the deal is extremely satisfying. But watching my hard work drive down the road when preferably it should be sitting … [Read more...]

Bargain of the Week – New Ford Fiesta

This week I’m throwing in a new car deal for our BOTW. It’s a rare occasion I know, but with so many deals on the table I couldn’t resist. After trawling the dealers last Saturday I picked my way through a pile of brochures … [Read more...]

Bargain of the Week – Maserati Gran Turismo

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...]

The comeback may have started for 4WD’s

Reports from some of our sources this week have reported a sudden surge in sales of used 4wd prestige products such as Audi Q7, VW Touareg and BMW X5 to name a few. This just confirms that even during a downturn in the market … [Read more...]

Bargain of the Week – Citroen C2 VTR

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