buying used cars

Imagine the clubcard points on a Ford Focus!

February 9, 2011 By In51der Leave a Comment

If the current rumours circulating the car world that Tesco are about to enter the world of selling used cars, (Tesco to sell used cars?) well let’s just say we wish them luck. Clearly they have an enviable record and no doubt they are kings of their particular jungle; however as anyone who has been in the business for any length of time will … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: buying used cars, tesco, Used car buying

Bargain of the Week – TVR Griffith

November 17, 2010 By Steve Bell 1 Comment

TVR. Just three letters arouse the motoring senses of us petrol heads. Front-engined, British sports car with a rumbling V8. No need for fancy electronics like traction control and ABS. Just you, one tactful right foot and good judgement. The only reason it features on our forecourt is because it still remains as one of the very few, good-old … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bargain of the Week, Blog, Consumer Tagged With: Bargain of the Week, buying used cars, research used cars, used car bargains, used car prices

Bargain of the Week – BMW 325i Convertible

November 6, 2010 By Steve Bell Leave a Comment

Once in a while something special comes along. Not all of you might agree, but certain BMW E30's are regarded as classics. Take the M3. Even twenty years on, they demand good money and are still hailed as great “drivers' cars”. I've been lucky enough to own some fabulous cars over the years and even now I still mention my old E30 325i with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bargain of the Week, Blog Tagged With: Bargain of the Week, buying used cars, research used cars, used car bargains, used car prices

Bad part-exchange appraisal is no recommendation

January 29, 2010 By Iain Ronayne Leave a Comment

The following is a cautionary tale which probably ends up telling us as much about human nature as it does about car retailing but it contains a message that anyone in the business would do well to take notice of. It’s a cut throat world, this car business and many people, when presented with an opportunity to make a good profit will, of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: buying used cars, Car Dealers, customer service, Featured, part exchange valuation, profit, Used car, used car prices

Window of opportunity for car buyers

November 4, 2009 By In51der Leave a Comment

You know what? There is a distinct feeling in the trade that the current slowdown is but a mere blip. Now this may come as some surprise given the fact that misery loves company and a bit of a downturn can spiral into doom, gloom and catastrophe before you’ve finished your first cup of tea. But the truth is If dealers have not taken advantage of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Environmental Tagged With: buying used cars, Car Dealers, Featured, research used cars, Used car buying

Where have all the prvivate buyers gone?

November 3, 2009 By In51der Leave a Comment

The car auctions these days are starting to resemble once more the dark depressing venues they became at this time last year. Not only have the nights drawn in and the skies turned greyer but the mood among buyers has taken a distinct turn for the worse. Conversion rates are at the lowest they have been all year and, where once there was a mad … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Auctions, Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: 20% vat, buying used cars, car auctions, Car Dealers, car sales, Featured, profit, prvivate, showroom tax, used car prices

2010 will bring a totally different landscape to car sales

October 27, 2009 By In51der Leave a Comment

Before we reach the end of 2009 there may be a few last minute opportunities to bag a bargain for those thinking of buying a new or used car before next year. There will almost certainly be changes introduced from January 2010 onwards that will make buying a car a lot more expensive. Some of these changes will be introduced by the government and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: buying a new car, buying used cars, Car Dealers, car makers, car sales, Featured, graph, kia, new car buying, new car sales, showroom tax, Used car

As used car prices begin to stabilise keep an eye out for bargains

October 13, 2009 By In51der Leave a Comment

Well I guess it had to happen. There are suddenly more cars for sale and a far greater choice and cars which were the subject of frenzied bidding only a matter of weeks ago are now making up to 20% less. This is not the disaster it may at first seem however, it just means that the market has stabilised and that values are now moving more in line … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: buying used cars, Car Dealers, Featured, Used car, used car prices

Wake up car dealers – the bubble is about to burst

October 7, 2009 By Mark Antony 4 Comments

As a motor dealer of hopefully some intelligence and part time contributor/ writer here at MTI, it’s clearly in everyone’s interest to give the best and most up to date motoring advice we can, but this week I simply ask any of you wanting to purchase a car and needing that "up to date advice" to bear with me for just a moment. Thank … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: buying used cars, car auctions, Car Dealers, Featured, Used car, used car auction

Something has to give for the professional retail car buyer

September 30, 2009 By In51der 1 Comment

For a professional buyer in the motor trade the last year has been challenging to say the least. Once the feelings of wanting to kick ourselves for not being bolder or more forceful when the 'job' was on its knees … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Auctions, Blog, Car Dealers Tagged With: buying used cars, car auctions, Car Dealers, profit, Scrappage, Used car, Used car buying, used car prices

Beware the dodgy dealer when times are tough

November 3, 2008 By In51der 4 Comments

When you buy a car from an independent dealer or privately, or even through an auction, if the car is sold to you with a full service history, that should, of course mean exactly what it says. The vehicle has a full service record from a main franchised dealer … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Dealers, Consumer Tagged With: BMW, buying used cars, Car Dealers, car service stamp, car service stamps, consumer law cars "full service history", dealership service history check, duplicate service record not proof of warranty, ford duplicate sevice book, full service history, how to authenticate car mileage, mercedes benz, mercedes service stamp, Porsche, profit, recession, reporting dodgy car dealers, service cars stamp, spot dodgy car dealer, will garage stamp service book

Cheap used cars all the rage

September 29, 2008 By In51der 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...]

Filed Under: Blog, Car Repairs, Consumer Tagged With: automotive, buying used cars, cars, cheap used cars, Used car