Mycarcheck.com market guide: September 2018

Mycarcheck.com’s valuation experts reveal significant trends in the UK used vehicle market and choose a car and bike of the month.

Valuation services team manager at mycarcheck.com, Jon Wheeler, said: “The Alfa Romeo 4C is a stunning looking two-seater sports car with an epic, fun edge. Focused and fast, it delivers stripped back, raw driving thrills. The 4C completes the sprint from 0-62mph in 4.5seconds and continues rapidly to over 150mph. Thanks to the full carbon tub, the 4C is light, very light. Combine this with a 1.8litre mid-mounted, turbocharged engine and you have a power to weight ratio of 259bhp per tonne – that’s Ferrari California territory. Don’t expect to find a quiet cabin full of luxury equipment though, more of a functional cockpit with exposed carbon fibre and aluminium. Early, higher mileage examples go for around £30k, but you’ll have to pay considerably more for the rare and most desirable Spider model. Remember, performance cars are prone to being written-off, so be sure to check the history.”

As to market trends, Wheeler said: “As we move into autumn, the used car market continues to flourish. Over five million used cars have already changed hands this year, with millions more sales expected by the end of 2018. Used values remain strong across the board and, encouragingly, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles have seen higher percentage value increases as demand slowly shifts towards greener vehicles. The SUV segment continues to go from strength-to-strength as an array of desirable newer models filter through to the used market at the end of three-year PCP deals.”

On the motorbike, scooter and moped sector, mycarcheck.com’s Mark Field said: “Bags of fun, extremely versatile and an affordable way into a prestigious brand, the Ducati Scrambler is popular with both newer riders and commuters. A relatively low seat height and wide bars make for easy handling, it comes with ABS as standard, and many owners add custom wheels, chunky tyres and wider yolks. Buying brand new and adding new extras could easily run to £20,000, whereas finding a 15-plate for around £4,000 at auction, or going to a dealer and paying around £5,500, then fitting used upgrades, can give you a fantastic customised Italian motorcycle for a reasonable amount of money. Check before you buy though, especially if buying in the private marketplace.”

As to market trends, Field said: “Dealers report that the used sector remains strong, in contrast to the new market. However, with ready-to-retail used stock in short supply, they’re having to do more servicing work to keep up standards and meet demand. While the long hot summer has provided a welcome boost, the start of autumn and the return of wetter weather will undoubtedly take its toll.”

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.