Increased volume of used cars easing pressure on dealers

The number of second-hand cars entering the used car market has taken away some of the strain for dealerships that have recently found it difficult to source used cars at fair prices.

The influx of part-exchange cars is partly responsible for "taking the edge off prices", according to used car pricing experts CAP.

CAP has reported that the dip in prices is not likely to threaten the medium-to-long term stability of the marketplace.

Mike Hind of CAP, said: "A year ago the increase in volume was much more of a cause for concern because it was largely driven by dealer self-registrations. This was due to severe weakness in the new car market and it meant a sudden and large influx of late plate cars into the market.

"This time more of the March new car sales represented genuine business and the fact that there are around 15,000 fewer 0-12 month old cars advertised for sale at present than a year ago is evidence for that.

"The dynamic in the trade market has clearly shifted from that of a few weeks ago when franchise and independent dealers were competing hard for every quality used car and consequently finding it difficult to maintain satisfactory profit per unit. Now the heat is off we are hearing reports that margins are improving for many."

Quality used cars can be maintained to roadworthy standard without having to pay for brand new car parts from dealerships. At ASM Auto Recycling our used car parts department contains over 250,000 guaranteed and tested parts. Purchasing parts processed through our car recycling workshop makes economic sense and is ideal for those who know their way under a car bonnet.

The used car market is certainly buoyant at present, particularly with the fuel price war on British motorists still rife. More drivers are considering visiting an online salvage auction as a means of picking up a bargain. These cars have been sourced direct from insurance companies that can be repaired and restored to roadworthy condition at bargain basement prices.

Nissan offers 'vote of confidence' to UK motor industry

Japanese car giant Nissan has provided the UK motor industry with a significant vote of confidence as it aims to build its new hatchback at its UK plant in Sunderland.

Over 1,000 jobs are likely to be created with the manufacturing of the new medium-sized model to begin in 2014.

Kevin Fitzpatrick, vice-president for UK manufacturing at Nissan, said: "It’s too early for the new car to be named or to give any technical details. But it will be a C-segment hatchback so it will be in direct competition with the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra.

"It’s a big vote for the car industry. We’re not the only one to have a lot of positive announcements lately

"The car industry in the UK is pretty buoyant at the moment, particularly the companies which have strong products and strong export markets."

The announcement of the production of Nissan’s new mid-range vehicle in the UK marks the manufacturer’s return to the mainstream market in the UK but it remains to be seen whether this model will encourage motorists to purchase brand new models in favour of economical second hand vehicles.

With the war on fuel prices showing no sign of abating, an increasing number of UK motorists are beginning to look toward used cars with smaller engines to get from A to B as cheaply as possible. The cost of repairing a second hand car is also significantly smaller than the outlay of a brand new model, particularly with used car parts so readily accessible.

The salvage car market is also picking up in pace with vehicles sourced direct from insurance companies available to purchase at greatly reduced rates.

Although an online salvage auction is best suited to those who know their way around a vehicle to carry out repairs and restore it to roadworthy condition, it is also possible to get the work carried out by a trusted garage and still save valuable cash.

Petrol sales to slump further in 2012, according to AA survey

The amount of petrol sold in the UK is set to slump even further this year after a difficult financial year in 2011, following a recent AA survey.

Many drivers have no option than to cut back on their mileage due to the rising cost of fuel, say the Automobile Association. Their survey revealed nearly 40 per cent of AA members would be taking it upon themselves to drive more economically or less often in 2012.

The AA also predicts petrol sales at the pumps will be lower in the first nine months of this year than the 13.9 billion litres sold in the same period last year.

These figures are considerably lower than the 16.3 billion litres sold at fuelling stations in the UK prior to the recession in 2008.

Paul Watters, head of public affairs at AA, said: "Drivers are clearly being forced into cutting their motoring by the high price of fuel and, for many, this will impose difficult constraints on their lives.

"We have reached the stage where motoring is once again only easily affordable for the better off and, with the car still the mainstay means of travel for the majority, that is depressing news at the start of 2012."

Escalating fuel prices are also encouraging motorists to downsize to a vehicle with a smaller engine in order to save money. Damage-repairable cars and stolen-recovered vehicle are growing increasingly popular. This is because they can be more than 50 per cent cheaper than a model purchased from a car showroom or dealership, once repaired. You may even be wondering "is it possible to scrap my car for cash to put towards a damage-repairable car at auction?" and the answer is most definitely yes.

At ASM Auto Recycling we work with some of the country’s biggest independent motor salvage dealers to provide an extensive online salvage auction to customers every week. All salvage cars have been passed as suitable for repair by qualified engineers, in accordance with ABI guidelines.

Cost of petrol to reach £100 per tank by 2015

UK motorists are being told to brace themselves for further dramatic increases in the cost of fuel in the coming years. The cost of filling up a tank of petrol could reach as high as £100, according to leading economists.

Families could be forced to pay up to £1.54 a litre for their unleaded petrol within the next four years. Experts predict that the cost of filling up a Ford Mondeo, which has a 70-litre tank, will increase from £93 to almost £108.

Forecasters at the Ernst & Young ITEM Club believe fuel costs will soar amid rapid demand for oil from booming Asia economies, which will do nothing to help UK households at a time when average pay rises are below inflation.

Neil Blake, a senior economic adviser to the ITEM Club, said: "By 2013 prices at the pumps will be eating into household finances once again.

"Demand from the emerging markets will maintain the pressure on inflation, as will the increase in fuel duty on the home front."

With the cost of fuel per litre on an upward curve, the importance of a fuel-efficient vehicle has never been greater for UK households.

Second-hand vehicles with greatly reduced engine sizes not only do more miles to the gallon, but they can also be considerably cheaper to insure.

There is an emerging trend for motorists purchasing salvage vehicles in the UK, with a number of these repairable vehicles proving cheaper and more efficient than purchasing an expensive, fuel-thirsty form of transport.

Online salvage auctions give motorists the ability to acquire a damage-repairable or stolen-recovered vehicle at a greatly reduced cost – sometimes more than 50 per cent cheaper than if the same model was bought from a car showroom!

At ASM Auto Recycling we bring together some of the UK’s largest independent motor salvage dealers for an extensive online salvage auction. All re-sale cars included have been inspected by qualified engineers and are suitable for repair in accordance with ABI guidelines.

Seat demonstrates the benefits of winter tyres to motorists

With the wintry weather set to wreck its havoc on the nation in the coming weeks Spanish car manufacturer Seat has moved to throw its weight behind the benefits of winter tyres to UK motorists.

TyreSafe, a non-profit organisation, has encouraged drivers to consider purchasing winter tyres to fit to their vehicles ready for the cold snap as part of October’s Tyre Safety Month.

Winter tyres offer drivers increased grip and safety when driving on wintry roads with the potential for ice and snow naturally rife.

As a result Seat has launched a campaign to place even greater emphasis on the merits of using winter tyres.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, said: "For any driver concerned about their safety on the road during the winter, our advice is simple: winter weather tyres are the safest option.

"Take a look at the Seat demonstration movie and then you can make an informed choice about whether to fit them or not, but I’m sure most will agree that the results are very convincing – and the potential outcome is frightening."

Some drivers continue to drive without winter tyres and underestimate the perils of driving in the winter weather. As a result motor salvage dealers have a busy time recovering damage-repairable vehicles each and every week.

At ASM Auto Recycling we bring together some of the nation’s biggest independent motor salvage dealers and consequently we offer a host of damage-repairable vehicles at cut prices in our online salvage auction each week.

Our salvage car auction includes a variety of cars, vans and motorbikes that can be up to 50 per cent cheaper than the same model bought straight from a car dealership.