Mycarcheck.com market guide: February 2018
Unfair damning of new diesel cars. Bikers preparing for Spring
- Used car of the month:Dacia Duster
- Used bike of the month:KTM 1290 Super Adventure
Mycarcheck.com's valuationexpertsrevealsignificant trends in the UK used vehicle market andchoose a car and bike of the month.
Valuation services team manageratmycarcheck.com,Jon Wheeler,said:"If you're in the market for an affordable 2-3 year-old SUV, the Dacia Duster must be a contender. Considered a bargain new, residual values are strong and you get a lot of car for your money. If you opt for the 1.5-litre diesel, expect to see a return of 56mpg and annual road tax of around £110. Insurance should be reasonable too, with most models sitting in groups 6-11 out of 50.As with all newer cars, check before you buy, because a higher than average proportion ofDusters we checked in 2017 were still on finance."
As to market trends,Wheelersaid: "January proved another challenging month for new car registrations with diesel once again taking the hardest hit, down 25.6% against 2017. It is clear the perception of diesel has changed dramatically, we think somewhat unfairly. Modern diesel engines are cleaner and more efficient than ever before, and still make financial sense for some users. Another significant trend is the rise of AFV (alternative fuel vehicle) sales: up 23.9% on the previous year, market confidence is growing and they now account for 5.5% of all current registrations. Dealers' focus on the new 18 registration plate should soon shift back to the more profitable used stock as part exchange and de-fleet vehicles flood into the market throughout March."
On the motorbike, scooter and moped sector,mycarcheck.com's Mark Fieldsaid:"If you're looking for a high tech alternative to the ever popular BMW R1200 GS, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure is well worth considering. For starters, this bike comes fully loaded with the latest traction and stability control systems, allowing you to select from four different engine modes and also adjust the damping settings on the suspension. It also comes equipped with C-ABS (which helps to stop the front end from folding if you brake deep into a corner), as well as cruise control, LED lights, and heated grips and seat. A 300-mile tank and powerful 160bhp engine complete the package to make this a very competitive bike. Expect to pay £11,000 for a clean 2015 example with average mileage and, as always, check the history before you buy."
As to market trends,Fieldsaid:"Winter is always the quietest season in the bike world, so there's not too much to report.Traders are busy trying to source good quality used stock to fill showrooms ready for Spring, but many dealers have their hopes pinned on bikes returning at the end of 3-year PCP contracts. Some sunny weather, or at least a few days without rain, would certainly be very welcome."
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)
(Words = 520)