Mycarcheck.com market guide: July 2017

Diesel new car sales plummet and sunshine boosts used bike sales

• Used car of the month:Porsche Boxster (2005-12)

• Used bike of the month:KTM RC8 (2011)

Mycarcheck.com's valuation experts reveal significant trends in the UK used vehicle market and choose a car and bike of the month.

Vehicle valuation manager at mycarcheck.com, Jon Wheeler, said:"Owning a Porsche Boxster has never been more affordable. Decent early versions of the 987, the second generation made between 2005 and 2012, are available from around £7.5k, giving you a huge amount of car for your money. It has excellent handling, great power and the unique appeal of the Porsche badge. You'll probably have to pay a bit more for service and repair, but day-to-day running costs aren't as high as you might think. If your budget will stretch, go for the S model and enjoy the benefits of the bigger capacity engine. Of all the Boxster models we checked last year, 17.61% (almost bang on the all-manufacturer average) were written-off, but they were much more likely than average to be on finance or stolen. As always, full service history is a real plus and do a full provenance check prior to purchase."

As to market trends,Wheelersaid: "With the big summer holiday approaching fast, a new car isn't a priority for most. This is reflected in the latest new vehicle sales figures, down 4.8% in June compared to last year, with diesel car sales down by a massive 14.7%. At this time of year, whether you're buying new or used, it is always worth asking for a healthy price reduction."

On the motorbike, scooter and moped sector, mycarcheck.com's Mark Fieldsaid:"The styling of the2011 KTM RC8 divides opinion, but its fans say it is one of the best-looking bikes around, fantastic to ride and a real alternative to a Ducati or Aprilia. With 175bhp, 94 ft-lb of torque and a top speed of 186mph, it isn't the fastest 1000+cc sports bike, and it doesn't have traction control either, yet it more than makes up for this in sheer character. The R model comes with top end components like Brembo brakes, Marchesini wheels and WP suspension, the dashboard is immense, and its fully adjustable footrests, seat height and handlebars mean it can be tailored for any type of rider. Expect to pay £8,500-£11,000 for a good one and check before you buy because, of all the KTM RC8 models we checked last year, a higher than average percentage were previously written-off."

As to market trends,Fieldsaid: "Dealers tell us the used bike market has had a relatively successful time recently, especially compared to the struggling new bike sector, which has seen a disappointing decline in sales. June's Ride To Work initiative was a big success, with many insurers adding free commuter cover to their leisure policies to encourage people to get on their bikes. Sunnier weather also helps, of course, and bikes entering the used market at the end of their PCP deals are boosting the availability of good quality stock."

With information from the police, DVLA, insurers and finance houses, My Car Check holds comprehensive data on every vehicle on UK roads - things that buyers should be aware of before making an offer.

CDL Vehicle Information Services, which owns My Car Check, performs over a million look-ups a day for companies including AutoExpress, CompareTheMarket, Go-Compare, Moneysupermarket, Swiftcover and Tesco.