Six out of 10 car dealers believe the second half of 2024 should improve on the first six months, suggest new findings as the new 74-plate is about to appear in September. July’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows that 35% believe consumer confidence is improving, 31% that interest rates should fall, 31% that stock supply is improving and 11% that the completion of the general election should … [Read more...]
Financiers must support EV sales
Almost all dealers (97%) surveyed in June’s Startline Used Car Tracker say that more support is needed from motor finance providers for electric vehicle (EV) funding. In the research, 52% say their lenders are less keen to finance EVs, 45% charge higher finance rates and 21% want higher deposits. Also, 14% say their lenders won’t finance EVs at all. The same question was asked in the … [Read more...]
Safety ratings take a back seat with motorists
Fewer than one in five or 18% of motorists check official safety ratings such as Euro-NCAP when buying a new car, new findings show. June’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows that 73% expect all cars to meet high safety standards – although only 36% believe that legislation can be trusted to ensure that cars have effective safety features. Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said, “There … [Read more...]
Newslines 28 May
Just one in four drivers (26%) say that it is safe to make a hands-free call while driving, new findings show. May’s Startline Used Car Tracker also shows that 36% don’t make hands-free calls because they believe them to be risky and the research also shows that 16% make hands-free calls but acknowledge their concentration on driving is worse, and 22% say the same happens to other drivers while … [Read more...]
No charger, no sale, dealers told
Not having a home charger is the biggest objection dealers hear from used car buyers considering an electric vehicle. Dealers report that more than half of people (52%) mention this problem, according to May’s new Startline Used Car Tracker. Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said, “In a way, it is encouraging that this is the biggest objection facing dealers selling EVs because it is … [Read more...]
Used cars ‘haggle margin’ eases sales
Almost half of dealers (47%) build a small “haggle margin” into the price of their used cars, new research shows. April’s Startline Used Car Tracker also shows that 22% agree customers feel better about their deal if they achieve a small discount – although 33% believe fewer customers walk away because they don’t get the discount they want. Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said, … [Read more...]
Bigger vehicles should pay more to park, pollsters told
Six out of 10 people believe that drivers of 4x4s and other large cars should pay more to park in city centres, according to research. April’s Startline Used Car Tracker also shows that 37% say such vehicles are too big for city streets and the same percentage that they are too polluting. And just over a fifth (22%) think that charging more money will help to dissuade drivers from bringing these … [Read more...]
Insurance costs major worry to motorists & EV cover soars
Almost three out of four motorists (73%) are worried about car insurance costs rising in 2024, reveals latest research. The January Startline Used Car Tracker also shows that 67% are concerned about rising petrol and diesel prices and 34% about the cost of servicing. Additionally, there is apprehension about not just the cost of running an existing car but buying a new one, with 46% … [Read more...]
Used EV prices expected to fall in short term
Nearly half of dealers (46%) think the values and prices of electric vehicles (EVs) will fall following the government’s move to push-back the electrification deadline to 2035, as consumers take more time to make the switch. November’s new Startline Used Car Tracker also shows that 44% believe a corresponding rise in petrol and diesel prices and values will occur as customers stick with petrol … [Read more...]
Agency selling model worries more dealers
Dealer worries over the growth of agency agreements have doubled in the last month, according to October’s Startline Used Car Tracker. The factor was named as a future challenge to their business by just 22% of used car retailers in September but has jumped to 42% this month. Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said, “For most of this year, around 20% of dealers have mentioned … [Read more...]