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.

RHA slams Government for not addressing fuel duty issue

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has spoken out against the Government following the news that the UK has entered a double-dip recession period, with the economy shrinking by 0.2 per cent in Q1 2012.

Geoff Dunning, chief executive of the RHA, could not hide his disappointment at the Government for not attempting to tackle the problem of fuel duty, with reduced taxes on petrol and diesel fuels likely to provide savings for motorists that can be fed back into the economy through a number of other channels.

"Of course we are disappointed at the news that the UK has returned to a state of recession. However, what comes as an even greater disappointment is that this news is not unexpected," he said.

"If the Government would heed our advice and address the issue of fuel duty once and for all, this is a situation that could almost certainly have been avoided.

"Users of petrol and diesel fuels are desperate to see a reduction in fuel duty. The price of a tank of fuel would reduce and the subsequent savings would be put back into the economy, giving trade the boost it so desperately needs."

Reducing driving costs is most definitely a pertinent issue for UK motorists, who are battling against increasing fuel, car insurance and road tax costs. Second hand car owners in particular are choosing to keep their existing car on the road for as long as possible with the purchase of used car parts that are recycled from end-of-life vehicles sent to be scrapped for cash.

At ASM Auto Recycling we proudly supply second hand car owners with an excellent range of recycled car parts that are cleaned, tested and protected by our very own 90-day guarantee. If you are looking for peace of mind at the wheel then make the most of our car recycling expertise today.

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.

Classic car auction in Coventry raises £1.75 million

The annual Race Retro and Classic Car Sale saw records topple with £1.75 million raised under the hammer at Stoneleigh Park in Coventry.

With classic cars, modern sports cars, motorcycles and automobilia on offer, enthusiasts flocked to the Silverstone Auctions with the sale of two cars in particular, a 1958 Tojeiro Jaguar and a 1960 Aston Martin DB4 – both of which were sold for £286,000 and £170,000 respectively.

Nick Whale, Silverstone Auction’s managing director, said: "We have worked hard on behalf of our vendors and achieved some excellent prices for both classic and competition vehicles.

"Everyone has been delighted and we are extremely proud of our achievement in our first visit to Race Retro."

Over 75 classic vehicle lots went under the hammer with experts sufficiently pleased with the number of competition cars that were sold despite the cash-strapped nature of the race car market.

Restoring and repairing competition cars can be an expensive business for racing enthusiasts. However, there are ways and means of fitting replacement car parts without breaking the bank.

Purchasing used car parts can be the way forward for many competition cars, with recycled, guaranteed parts that are usually significantly cheaper than parts you would expect to purchase straight from a car manufacturer or dealership.

Invariably most drivers of competition cars will know their way under a car bonnet, so recycled car parts may be an equally efficient way of breathing new life into a vehicle.

For those who require a replacement car part with urgency, at ASM Auto Recycling we can provide our customers with a same day/next day parts delivery service. Our used car parts are distributed locally using our own fleet of delivery vans and nationally via reliable courier service.

'Transport poverty' rife in UK households

80 per cent of UK households are fighting 'transport poverty', according to new figures revealed by the RAC Foundation last week.

As many as four-in-five households are having to spend more than 10 per cent of their disposable income on transport, with the majority of their spending forced on acquiring, running and maintaining their own vehicle.

The survey by the RAC Foundation found that, on average, households spend 14 per cent of weekly expenditure on transport – amounting to £64.90 spent out of a total £473.60. There is growing concern that households are having no choice but to shell out these costs to maintain jobs and social lives.

Professor Stephen Glaister, RAC Foundation director, said: "Rightly, there is much concern about the four million households who need to spend more than 10% of their income to keep warm.

"Yet this figure is dwarfed by the 21 million households which spend over 10% on transport. For the average household, transport is the single biggest outgoing, bar none.

"The situation is even starker when you look only at those home which have a car or van. In these cases, the poorest fifth of households are spending at least 17% of income on a vehicle – leaving aside anything extra that goes on public transport.

"Just like heating our homes, most of us have to spend money on transport. There is no choice. While savings can be made at the margins by making fewer journeys and combining those which are essential, people have no option other than to go to work, visit the supermarket, see the doctor and take the children to school. That means paying for transport."

The increasing cost of running a vehicle means motorists are increasing looking to fuel-efficient cars to make their money go further. The second hand car market is booming at present and is certainly a buyer’s market. Second hand vehicle owners also know that they can repair and restore their cars to roadworthy condition without the expensive cost of brand new parts from dealerships and garages.

Purchasing road-tested used car parts makes perfect economic sense and at ASM Auto Recycling our very own same day/next day parts delivery service means motorists can get back on the road with haste.

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