According to new figures, the number of used cars sold in the UK has reached record levels. Just under 4.2 million used cars changed hands in the first half of 2016, that’s an 8% rise on this time last year, and the first time ever that sales of this type have exceeded four million in a sixth month period.
These figures were released by The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The UK’s favourite used car is the Ford Fiesta, a whopping 60,000 have been sold in 2016 alone. . The second most popular used car is the Ford focus, with the Vauxhall Corsa, Astra and Volkswagen Golf also featuring in the top five.
According to SMMT, the most popular second hand cars were between one and three years old.
Car sales are often seen as a good indication of the UK’s economic activity; they give an idea of how Brits are spending their money. However, according to the BBC, the rise in used car sales is in excess of economic growth and wage increases.
If you’re buying a second hand car…
Watch out for clocking – Clocking is the illegal act of winding back the odometer to make it look like a vehicle has done less miles than it actually has, thus increasing the car’s value significantly.
Watch out for car cloning – A relatively common way for a salesman to illegally increase the value of a vehicle is by replacing the number plates with those of an identical vehicle (the same colour, make and model).
Don’t view a car in the rain, at night or in poor light – If the car has scratches or rust, this could go unnoticed.
Ask about the vehicle’s service history – if the seller can’t provide a car’s service history, ask why. If they can’t give you a reasonable answer, walk away.
Remember: if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.