Mike Brewer's column

The motor industry has woken up to the importance of our Used Car Honours awards

3rd May 2007

Is it me? Or is 2007 flying by? It only seems like yesterday that I was putting the Christmas baubles up in the loft, and today I'm chasing the fast-growing grass round the garden on the lawnmower as summer arrives. I've got so many things to do this year that I hope it slows down so I can catch my breath. So far in 2007 I've signed up for another series of Pulling Power for ITV1, which starts in August. I'll also be presenting the TT races on the Isle of Man in late May, and it's now my sixth year as host of the British Rally Championship for Sky Sports. But my big job of the year has just taken place. It's one I enjoy and always look forward to. Auto Express readers will now have read the results that get car showroom bosses and manufacturers trembling like a turkey being shown the Cranberry sauce.


	The Auto Express used car honours are vitally important. many car superstores hold off buying stock until the results are in!

The Auto Express Used Car Honours are quickly becoming one of the most important awards ceremonies of the year. Being asked to be a judge on this most prestigious panel for the last five years has been an honour. As we've told you before, the best used car minds in the country sit and toil over every model and, with the help of Glass's Guide - the second-hand trade's industry price bible - we argue for hours over what should win each category, and which should get a commendation.

And believe me, this is not simply an excuse to get together over an awards lunch. The results of the Used Car Honours are vitally important. I know of several motor superstores that hold off buying stock until the results are in, because they know that only the best vehicles make it to the final. This year we had some obvious victors, such as the Honda Accord Touring, which took best estate again. Volvo held this crown for many years, but now it needs something special to take on the load-lugging Japanese offering. This year it launches a new V70 (the antique dealers' best friend), which may just be good enough when it comes to the used market in a couple of years' time!

Other old-time favourites, such as the Audi TT and the brilliant little Mazda MX-5, also feature in the honours lists. However, it's the executive sector that has now got the car supermarkets excited, and I know for a fact that they have their buyers out at the auctions, and trawling the small ads for the BMW 5-series (our best executive) and the Jaguar XJ (best large executive). These two motors are at the pinnacle of their value in terms of money and kit - the pair represent all that I love about second-hand cars.

For instance, a BMW 525 SE diesel in 2005 would have cost a shade over £30,000. Today, with only 20,000 miles on the clock, I've sourced a decent one for £16,000 - nearly half its original value, and I bet it still feels like a new motor. What makes it exciting for the pile-'em-high boys is the sheer value for money - priced up in the showroom, they should retail for £20,000-plus, but dealers can mark these beauties up for under £18,000, which is great for everyone.

And the Jaguar? Well, just because a car loses money in depreciation, it doesn't make it a bad motor. It simply makes it a great buy. Here's one I found for sale at a Jag main dealer: if bought new, an XJ Sport Premium in 2005 was about £50,000, but this one, with only 21,000 chauffeured miles, and oodles of extras, including an extended main-dealer warranty, costs a mind-blowing £21,000.

Hold on a minute! Now I'm wishing away the year. I want to get the Christmas tree back up, the stockings out and pray that I get either of those two cars as my pressie!

Mike Brewer presents ITV's Pulling Power, the Discovery Channel's Wheeler Dealers and the British Rally Championship on Sky Sports

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Mike Brewer's column

The motor industry has woken up to the importance of our Used Car Honours awards

3rd May 2007

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Mike Brewer's column

The motor industry has woken up to the importance of our Used Car Honours awards

3rd May 2007

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