Used cars

News in brief

News and views from the used car world

Auto Express Car Reviews

19th April 2007

YOU can now access even more used car bargains at British Car Auctions’ Paddock Wood centre in Kent. The firm has added a regular Wednesday sale to the established Tuesday and Friday events.

Sales volumes have doubled at the site, and BCA has also
introduced a new section which is dedicated to prestige vehicles.

THE MARCH registration plate change is now the busiest time of the year for new car sales, which makes the supply of used models even better than ever.

Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association, Sue Robinson, said: “Since the industry moved to a twice yearly plate change, there has been a trend for March sales to grow at the expense of September.”

DESPITE the busy period around March, new car sales are still generally on the wane. And this has caused franchises to put even more emphasis on second-hand vehicles than before.

According to figures from Manheim Auctions, part-exchange volumes at main dealerships were 20 per cent higher this February than at the same time last year.

THE FURORE over the Renault Clio MkII bonnet latch is expected to have an impact on second-hand demand for the French supermini.
Hundreds of owners contacted the BBC’s Watchdog programme after they experienced bonnet latch failures at speed. The car has been a popular used buy, but traders are watching the market closely in the wake of the publicity. Discuss here