Motorists expect the cost of running their car to continue to rise across all major areas of spending in 2024, new research shows. October’s new Startline Used Car Tracker shows that 70% think congestion zone charges will rise and the same percentage expect service and maintenance to increase. Other costs expected to go up include motor insurance (67%), tyres (65%) and petrol (55%). Paul … [Read more...]
Used market uplift expected in 2024
More than half of dealers (55%) expect 2024’s used car market to be better than this year’s, suggests new research. September’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows that 45% also believe there will be better stock supply and 43% that demand for electric vehicles (EVs) will increase. However, just 25% expect there to be an improvement in consumer confidence. Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor … [Read more...]
Dealers fears for future of motor trade spelled out
The arrival of the agency model and availability of motor finance are emerging as growing worries for used car dealers, shows August’s Startline Used Car Tracker. When asked about the biggest challenges facing them for the future, the agency model was mentioned by 27% of respondents, the highest monthly figure recorded since this factor was added to the research in January, while the … [Read more...]
Brimming your tank is past it
Almost one in five motorist, around 18%, are no longer “brimming” their tank when they fill up with fuel due to rising mortgage and rent costs. The impact of high housing expenditure on personal finances also means 12% have stopped using their car altogether while 10% want to swap their current model for one that costs less to run - and 5% may have to sell their car. August’s Startline Used Car … [Read more...]
EV toll-tax opposed to encourage greener motoring
More than half of motorists are against a new proposal to make electric vehicle drivers pay six pence per mile to counter a tax shortfall compared to petrol and diesel cars. July’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows 55% believe such a move would not be fair while 40% say that EV tax should be kept low by the government in order to encourage take-up. Also, 22% don’t like the idea of road pricing for … [Read more...]
Tiredness tests backed by majority of drivers
Around 84% of UK motorists would back the introduction of new “tiredness tests”, similar to existing roadside drink and drug checks. June’s Startline Used Car Tracker research shows 35% agree that fatigue is an important road safety issue with 10% admitting to having almost fallen asleep at the wheel and 63% saying that they have driven following little sleep. A team of researchers led by Clare … [Read more...]
Warnings on motoring costs and insurance pitfalls
IAM RoadSmart, the UK’s leading road safety charity, has launched the eighth edition of its annual Driving Safety Culture report, with its key objective to reveal the biggest issues impacting motorists on the roads. The annual report, which has studied UK motorists’ driving safety attitudes and behaviours since 2015, has highlighted the biggest worries for motorists, with 86 per cent of drivers … [Read more...]
Banks must finance more EV deals
Almost six out of 10 dealers (58%) believe that more support is needed from their motor finance providers to retail electric vehicles, shows new research. May’s Startline Used Car Tracker reports that 41% say their lenders are less keen to finance EVs, 10% want higher deposits from buyers and 5% charge higher interest rates. A further 5% say their lenders simply won’t touch EVs at all. Just … [Read more...]
Motorists returning to dealerships away from online
The cost of living crisis is driving car buyers away from online purchases and into dealerships – with many expecting to bag a better deal by meeting the retailer in person, new research shows. April’s Startline Used Car Tracker reports that 55% of people have become less likely to buy a car online because of pressure on personal finances with 31% preferring to view the vehicle in person and 17% … [Read more...]
Government is failing drive towards EVs
More than seven out of 10 car dealers (71%) say that not enough is being done to support the UK motor industry’s transition to electric vehicle manufacturing. March’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows that 50% believe that the blame lies with the government and 7% with motor manufacturers. Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said, “Electrification is the single biggest change to motor … [Read more...]