Advice On Spotting A Clocked Car

When buying a car, you really need to make sure that you’re getting exactly what you pay for – and nothing more (e.g. unexpected nasty surprises) or less (a car actually worth far less in real terms due to being clocked for example). Here’s the latest from Netcars.com on what to look out for:

Following HPI’s recent announcement that one in 17 cars have been clocked in the UK, Netcars.com, the UK’s fastest growing car sales website, is offering motorists tips and advice on how to avoid being scammed.

A recent investigation by the BBC put the spotlight back on car clocking, revealing that winding back the odometer on a high mileage car, is one of today’s most common car crimes.

When purchasing a second hand car, drivers should look out for the following warning signs and plan ahead by doing some basic maintenance checks on the vehicle in question, to avoid being cheated by rogue traders:

Common sense should be exercised at all times – worn pedal rubbers, lots of chips on the bonnet, a shiny steering wheel and excessive wear and tear in the car’s interior, all indicate a well-travelled vehicle.

Original copies of the logbook, the car’s service history, MOT details, registration number, vehicle identification number and a valid tax disc, should all completely up to date and accounted for upon inspection of the vehicle. If any of these documents are missing or invalid, walk away from the deal.

Motorists should input the car’s registration number into official mileage-check websites such as the HPI or AutoCheck from Experian. For a small cost, drivers can be safe in the knowledge that they are buying a vehicle that hasn’t been tampered with.

Always remember, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Reg Rix, managing director at Netcars.com, said: “This high figure is a warning sign to customers buying second hand cars. Illegal clocking is a quick and easy way for unscrupulous car sellers to make money and those buying second hand cars need to be very wary.”

“Not only is buying a tampered car a waste of money, a clocked vehicle is dangerous to the driver and other road users, as cars with incorrect mileages have often missed important services and part replacement dates, making them unreliable and potentially un-roadworthy. If motorists are in any doubt as to whether or not a vehicle may have been clocked, they should always seek expert advice before making a purchase.”

Car values \'up £11 in February\'

British Car Auctions' (BCA) latest Pulse report has revealed that average values slightly increased in February, thanks largely due to a richer model mix in the nearly new sector.

According to the report, average values rose £11 from January to reach £5,985, which is the highest level recorded since December 2009.

Fleet and lease values fell on average by £186, or -2.4%, while the part-exchange sector fell by £39, or -1.3%. However, in the more volatile nearly new sector, values improved considerably from January, rising by £2,208, or 12.5%.

Elsewhere, fleet values fell by £186 to £7,553 in February, with CAP performance dropping by just under a percentage point to 97.7%. Year-on-year values, meanwhile, were ahead by £189, equivalent to a 2.5% rise.

Model mix will inevitably have had a part to play in the average value decline, with a lower percentage of higher value premium cars sold in February compared to January.

The nearly new sector saw values rise sharply, with over £2,200 added to the January figure to reach £19,827. The model-mix was largely responsible for the increase with sold volumes of higher-value premium cars increasing by nearly 20%, while the number of volume models sold decreased by around 8%.

VAT Free Car Offers

In light of the shocking VAT rise from 17.5% to 20%, some manufacturers are providing VAT free deals on new cars, in order to get us into new showrooms (it’s only on new cars where the the dealers make any real money).

SEAT is offering 10% VAT rather than the full 20%, as well as 0% finance. This applies only to certain models though. However, pop into your dealership to see what kind of deal you can get.

Similarly, Subaru is freezing prices on some models, with 17.5% being the norm rather than the designated 2.5% increase as expected.

Subaru UK Marketing Director, Kenyon Neads, commented: “For the vast majority of our customers the decision not to pass on the VAT rise is great news, particularly anyone in the market for a Forester, Legacy, Outback or WRX STI Type UK.”

As usual, dealerships are hoping for a strong start to the new year, especially in light of dismal sales before Christmas of anything that wasn’t four wheel drive in nature. My top tip is to search around to see where you can make the most saving. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if it’s VAT or the overall price that the dealership is reducing, so long as in the long run you can save yourself some cash. Be prepared to do a deal and do your homework before you set off – it’ll be worth a few quid!
 

Ten of the best 4x4 cars to buy

Motorists are eying up 4x4s and their snow beating skills after another dose of wintry weather. We round up ten of the best four wheel drive cars, in no particular order.

There's a 4x4 here for all budgets, from the discerning millionaire to the frugal family. (If you think you have a better 4x4 option than those listed, tell us in reader comments below.)

Range Rover
New: £68,945 to £85,695
Used 2008 58*: 3.6 TDV8 HSE £37,870

Range Rover

The classic luxury 4x4, the Range Rover is stylish, good to drive and capable of conquering anything thrown at it. What Car? gives it four out of five stars and says: 'No off-roader has a more prestigious image. Limousine comforts in a car that can go anywhere.' The only downside is they cost a small fortune and you may need a second mortgage to cover the running costs. The £68,945 TDV8 will do 0 to 60mph in 7.5 seconds and does an average 30mpg. A cheaper option is the Range Rover Sport, which has less off-road cache, but is still capable of handling the tough stuff, a 3.0 litre TDV6 will cost you £47,995.

Volvo XC60
New: £27,620 to £40,120
Used 2008 58: 2.4D SE - £21,740
Volvo XC60

The Volvo XC60 is a soft roader – it looks like a 4x4 but half the range only actually has two wheel drive. But don't let this put you off, the XC60 is a handsome car that drives well and even drew praise from Jeremy Clarkson, who said it was better than an X-Trail or a Ford Kuga and that 'the interior is Bang & Olufsen cool.' What Car? gives it four stars. Four wheel drive versions are available across the range and Parker's says the 'the ride quality is excellent, making it a superb long distance machine'. The 2.4 litre D5 diesel version will do 0 to 60mph in 7.9 seconds and an average 42.8mpg. A very smart car.

Nissan X-Trail
New: £23,995 to £28,820
Used 2008 58: 2.0DCi Sport - £14,975

Nissan X Trail

Britain loves the X-Trail. It is What Car?'s current most searched used car and that's thanks to it being good to drive, comfortable and well built. What Car? says: 'It's more capable off-road than many of its rivals.' Unlike the growing band of soft roaders that match it in price, the X-Trail looks the 4x4 part and all versions come with four wheel drive. It is only now available new with 2.0 litre diesel engines, but used models also have petrol options. Buy one of these if you want to look more rugged than your Qashqai driving neighbour.

Skoda Yeti
New (4WD): £17,585 to £22,640
Used 2009 59(10k miles): 1.8TSi 4x4 - £15,125

Skoda Yeti 4x4 car

The Skoda Yeti bagged the coveted top spot in Auto Express magazine's car of the year awards. That was thanks to the fact that it blends the appearance of an off-roader with the versatility of a compact MPV, but doesn't cost the earth. The engine line-up was said to be top notch and if you want four wheel drive the cheapest possibility is the £17,585 2.0 litre TDI. What Car? Gives the Yeti a four out of five star rating and it also won Total Off Roader's 4x4 of the year award - put that in your £70,000 Range Rover pipe and smoke it.

Skoda Octavia Estate
New: £14,225 to £22,730
Used 2008 58: 1.9TDCi 4x4 - £11,605

Skoda Octavia Estate

What's this, an estate car? In among the 4x4s? The Octavia may not sit high like a big four wheel drive, but that doesn't mean it won't get you out of a tight spot. The 4x4 versions start at just over £19,000 and the Octavia comes in 11th in the JD Power most popular cars to own survey and was named one of Auto Express' best used cars to buy. What Car? says 'Skoda 4x4 is a great-value alternative to bulky SUVs…Just don't expect hardcore off-road ability.' But then that's not a problem if you only want to get out and about in the snow.

Ford Kuga
New: £20,495 to £25,545
Used 2008 58: 2.0TDCi Zetec - £14,960

Ford Kuga

Ford has scored a hit with its Kuga crossover and buyers love its sharp looks and good handling. Like the rest of the soft road crew, Kugas start life in two-wheel guise, however, there is also a 4x4 option, starting at £21,995 for the 2.0 litre TDCi Zetec. The Kuga bags a four star rating from Parker's, which says: 'It's based on the Focus, one of the best small family cars around, so it's no surprise that the Kuga is good to drive with impressive performance and neat handling.' Just don't expect the full on 4x4 experience.

Land Rover Discovery
New: £36,745 to £50,745
Used 2008 58: 2.7TDV6 SE - £26,050

Land Rover Discovery

The Land Rover Discovery is not cheap but like its Range Rover brother it does have a certain cache. There's no soft roading here, buy one of these and you can stand tall and say I bought a real 4x4 (and prepare for the flak that inevitably draws as this is not an environmentally friendly or subtle car). The Discovery scores a full five stars from What Car? and got the 2010 4x4 of the year award. It is described as 'brilliant on and off-road.' A 3.0 litre SDV6 GS will do 30.4mpg and 0 to 60mph in 9 seconds, useful for outrunning the green brigade.

Fiat Panda 4x4
New: £11,005 to £13,190
Used 2008 58: 1.3 Multijet 4x4 Cross - £6,990

Fiat Panda

The new Fiat Panda 4x4 has managed to pull off that rare trick, it's a new version of a once cherished little car that is also much loved. The original Panda 4x4 was the classic doors hanging off, dented, ski instructor car, that shot effortlessly up snow covered Alpine roads. The new Panda is substantially more comfortable and highly economical but not designed for anyone needing to get somewhere fast. The 1.2 litre version does 0 to 60mph in 20 seconds and the 1.3 litre diesel manages to shave 2 seconds off this and does 54.3mpg. One for those who like quirky cars, owners tend to love them and you can buy three for the cost of a Discovery and still have £3,000 left.

Kia Sportage
New: £17,015 5o £26,740
Used 2008 58: 2.0 XE - £10,490

Kia Sportage

It's unlikely any small boys have ever turned to their dad and said, 'when I grow up I want to drive a Kia.' But many of those dads might seriously be considering buying one thanks to the seven-year warranties the firm offers. What Car? says: 'The Sportage isn't the best car of its type to drive, but it looks brilliant, has a stylish, practical cabin and a long warranty, and is good value for money.' The cheapest 4x4 version costs £21,255.

BMW X3
New: £30,605 to £40,635
Used 2008 58 (old X3 version): 2.0d xDrive SE - £19,740

BMW X3

The BMW X3 never drew the same praise as its big brother the X5, but that didn't stop buyers snapping them up. A new version of the car is about to hit the roads and reviews are better, with a four star rating from Auto Express, What Car? and Parker's. The latter says: 'Compare the X3 with its rivals, including the Land Rover Freelander and the Audi Q5, and you will find that the X3 is more fun to drive.' It is only available with a diesel engine and in Parker's test it did well in snowy conditions, unlike all the BMW saloons you've seen struggling to get over an icy speed bump.

• *Used car prices are based on 2008 58 plate vehicle, average 20k miles, from Parker's Guide. Skoda Yeti not available in 2008.

Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/bargains-and-rip-offs/motoring/article.html?in_article_id=520317&in_page_id=53949#ixzz18xE1MhZV

Car Articles Electric Car Of The Year 2010

This year’s electric car title can only go to one model in particular from a single manufacturer. This year’s winner of the Electric Car of the Year 2010 award goes to the Citroen Survolt. Granted, it’s a racing car, so you aren’t going to have one sitting on your driving just waiting to blast near-silently into the countryside. But that’s besides the point. Look at it!

Only a concept really, it’s a wonderful one and it works too. 62 is reached in less than 5 seconds and a top speed of 161 miles per hour is possible. Why is has it got the award? It’s this kind of outlandish design that helps developers understand the boundaries of what can be done and under what kind of budget. Citroen are forging forward and their C-Zero all electric vehicle is bound to take us forward in terms of zero emissions vehicles.
 

Three Car Types To Buy In Winter

Winter is a funny time to buy certain cars – but better for others. Bearing this in mind, here are three cars that are good to buy in winter:

* Most convertibles – you’ll find you can grab a bargain, especially on a soft top due to the inclement weather coming in
* Rear wheel drive sports cars – in winter, these tend to be much less frequently purchased. They don’t like ice after all. This can mean lower prices
* Older body shaped four wheel drive motors like a Subaru Forester will see off any inclement weather that you throw at it and you can pick them up extremely cheaply

Ultimately, one way in which to drive a bargain on the forecourts whether you’re after a new or an old motor is just to show up at a time when salespeople are probably struggling that particular day or week.

Choose a reasonably late on time when it’s darker (after having seen the choice motor in the light of course), maybe raining. If the sales haven’t been coming in that day, the manager will be much more likely to meet you part way in a deal.
 

Used car prices fall

The average value of used cars fell last month, according to vehicle remarketing firm British Car Auctions (BCA). It found that average used car values were down by 2.5 per cent in October, in line with the typical annual price movements.

BCA's most recent Pulse report also showed that volumes reduced by about 5 per cent compared with September, and the fact that demand is currently greater than supply is maintaining values at a relatively positive level. Although recession and economic cutbacks have affected the industry, the auction group argue that supply issues are also still having an impact on the market.

The report revealed that values in the fleet and lease sector took the brunt of the downturn, falling by 3.8 per cent, and that part-exchange values remained stable.

Tony Gannon, communications director at BCA, commented "October has heralded the typical slowing in demand that the market usually experiences in the run-up to the Christmas period. However, the effect has been tempered this year by the continuing shortage of retail quality stock - the competitive pressure for the best examples in the wholesale arena has meant average values are probably stronger than expected.

He added "Used cars continue to be the battleground for dealer profitability and this will remain the case while new car retail sales continue to be slow."