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23.
November
2017.
Car and LCV sales dip but motorbike sales plummet

 

Mycarcheck.com market guide: November 2017

Car and LCV sales dip but motorbike sales plummet

 

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  • Used car of the month:Volkswagen Tiguan

  • Used bike of the month:Kawasaki ER6F

 

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:"Launched in 2007, the VW Tiguan is a roomy high tech family car considered slightly pricey as new, which makes it an ideal used choice. There's a diverse range of engines, four-wheel drive options, and you can find good early examples for around £4.5k. If your budget will stretch, the facelifted 2011-16 model looks very modern, particularly the R-line version with its sports suspension and larger wheels. Check before you buy though because, of all the Tiguan models we've checked so far in 2017, a higher than average percentage were still on finance."

 

As to market trends,Wheelersaid: "Official sales figures for October show the new car market declined for the seventh consecutive month. Diesels took the hardest hit, down almost 30%, with dealers blaming government rhetoric and a lack of clarity about what this might mean in terms of policy. On the up side, alternative fuel vehicles continue to steadily gain momentum. The used car market also slowed slightly, as expected at this time of year, but most values remain strong as we head into the winter months."

 

On the motorbike, scooter and moped sector, mycarcheck.com's Mark Field said:"The Kawasaki ER6F is a fantastic all-rounder: light and relatively cheap to insure, but with enough power for most. You can pick up a decent condition 2008 model for around £2,400 from a dealer, which includes a warranty - perfect for those looking for an older bike to continue commuting through the winter. As always, check before you buy, because, of all the ER6F models we've checked in 2017, around 1 in 6 were previously written-off."

 

As to market trends,Fieldsaid: "As thoughts turn to Christmas and New Year, there is no disguising the fact that 2017 has been a poor year for the UK motorcycle industry. New registrations in October were down by 13%, and the year to date figures show a 15.5% decline on last year. The large number of bikes which had to be pre-registered before the new Euro 4 engines came out goes some way to explaining it, particularly in the 51-125cc sector, but many in the trade are worried. The decline in car and LCV registrations points to a slowdown in the economy, but why it should affect two-wheel sales so dramatically is a matter of heated debate. Speaking of which, it is that time of year when we head to the NEC in Birmingham for the annual Motorcycle Live show. It is expected to be as busy as ever, which begs the all-important question: why is this interest not being transferred into sales?"

 

 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.

 

(Ends)

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Notes To Editors

 

Hi res images are available on request.

 

My Car Check, MyCarCheck Trade, My Text Check and the My Car Check apps are brands of CDL Vehicle Information Services, owned by CDL Group Holdings Ltd of Stockport, Cheshire.

 

CDL Vehicle Information Services is a member of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), the Consumer Credit Trade Association (CCTA), the Finance and Leasing Association (FLA), the Motor Asset Registration Service (MARS), the National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA) and the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA).

 

For customer service please contact our UK-based call centre on 0330 331 0030. Lines are open 9am-7pmMonday to Friday and 10am-4pm on Saturday.

 

For media enquiries contact Neil Kennett on 07986 921 742 orneil@featurebank.co.uk