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Radio 2 - Chris Evan’s drive-time show

Posted in press on 28 Sep 2009 at 02:38pm

Alistair Jeff, Director of Sales for Carsite on the drive-time show discussing how the government’s scrappage scheme is affecting the availability of cars for young drivers.

Click here to listen to the interview >>

BBC News 24 - Scrappage Scheme

Posted in press on 28 Sep 2009 at 02:37pm

Alistair Jeff, Director of Sales for Carsite being interviewed on the BBC lunchtime news, discussing the unusual circumstances in the car market with average used car prices having risen consistently for the nine months January to September 2009.

Click here to watch the interview >>

Mazda MX5 is Best Used Car of the 'Noughties'

Posted in press on 07 Sep 2009 at 10:22am

Mazda’s MX5 convertible is the number one second-hand car of the new millennium according to research by Carsite.co.uk.

The online retailer analysed the reliability, performance, running costs, depreciation, owner reviews, sales popularity and customer satisfaction of hundreds of models to chart the ultimate roll-call of used cars of the ‘noughties’.

Since the year 2000 more than 68 million used cars have been sold in the UK – compared with just over 23 million private new car sales in the same period.*

The sporty two-seater MX-5, which celebrates its 20^th birthday this year, topped the list of 50 second hand models representing 23 different manufacturers compiled by the award-winning online used car retailer.

Japanese models dominated the top ten spots with Honda’s CR-V sneaking in behind the Mazda at No. 2 and at No. 7 with the Jazz city car. Toyota’s popular and frugal Yaris hatchback made No.5 in the chart with its global best-seller, the now replaced Corolla, charting at No. 9.

Teutonic entries from BMW (3-Series) and Mercedes-Benz (E-Class) were at No. 6 and No. 10 respectively with the Skoda Octavia (No. 3) and Ford’s Fiesta (No. 4) and Focus (No. 8) models completing the top ten.

Other highlights of the poll included the Ferrari 360 at No. 39 (expensive new but used examples now creeping under £40k), the Vauxhall Corsa at No. 21 (one of the biggest selling models of the last decade) and the British-built Caterham 7 (ultimate weekend ride) just making it in to the top 50 at No. 49.

Carsite.co.uk spokesperson, Alistair Jeff, commented; ‘The Mazda MX5 deserves the top position thanks to strong reliability, value for money, residual performance and driveability. Its success in our poll only goes to further support the British love affair with the drop-top.”

Carsite also found that increased demand for used Mazda MX5 models saw the CAP trade value of a 1.8i model increase by more than £1100 between April and July this year.

Top 50 Used Cars of the ‘Noughties’

Make Model

1 Mazda MX-5 (99-05)

2 Honda CR-V (01-06)

3 Skoda Octavia (98-05)

4 Ford Fiesta (02-08)

5 Toyota Yaris (99-05)

6 BMW 3-Series (98-07)

7 Honda Jazz (01-08)

8 Ford Focus (98-04)

9 Toyota Corolla (01-07)

10 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (02-06)

11 Citroen Berlingo Multispace (98-08)

12 Vauxhall Astra (98-06)

13 Nissan X-Trail 4x4 (01-07)

14 BMW 5-series (03-)

15 Subaru Forester (02-08)

16 Audi TT (99-06)

17 Lexus RX (03-09)

18 Honda Civic (00-06)

19 Audi A6 (97-05)

20 Ford Mondeo Saloon (00-07)

21 Vauxhall Corsa (00-06)

22 Audi A4 (00-08)

23 Honda S2000 (99-)

24 Renault Clio (98-08)

25 Vauxhall Vectra (02-09)

26 Porsche Boxster (96-04)

27 Skoda Fabia (00-07)

28 Toyota RAV4 (00-05)

29 Mercedes-Benz CLK (02-)

30 Ford S-Max (06-)

31 Jaguar XK (96-06)

32 BMW X5 (00-06)

33 Ford Galaxy (95-06)

34 Volkswagen Golf (97-06)

35 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (00-07)

36 Ford Ka (96-09)

37 MINI One (2001-)

38 Citroen C1 (05 - )

39 Ferrari 360 (99-05)

40 Toyota Verso (06-)

41 Fiat Punto (99-07)

42 Vauxhall Zafira (99-05)

43 Nissan Micra (02-)

44 SEAT Leon (00-05)

45 Audi A3 (03-)

46 Fiat Multipla (99-09)

47 Volvo V70 (00-07)

48 Caterham Caterham 7 (1973 - )

49 Honda Accord (02-08)

50 Toyota MR2 (00-07)

AS USED-CAR PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE, HOLDING OFF FOR A BETTER DEAL MIGHT COST YOU MORE IN TODAY’S APPRECIATING MARKET

Posted in press on 10 Aug 2009 at 10:18am

As the supply of nearly-new cars continues to be suffocated by the collapse of the market earlier in the year, the choice of three-year-old models remains extensive with certain models appreciating fast says online retailer, Carsite.co.uk.

More than 220,000* 56 plate registered cars will hit the market this September as fleet and leasing companies begin to refresh their customers with new cars.

Buyers looking for bargains in the three-year-old used car bracket have benefitted from the restricted choice in the nearly-new (one year or less) market with values either appreciating or stabilising.

Indeed, analysis by award-winning Carsite.co.uk, shows that some popular three-year-old models have risen in value by as much as £1,100 – or 10 percent - since the Spring alone.

On a basket of 700 cars, more than half had either held or nominally increased their value with around one in five cars experiencing appreciation of more than £250 (an average 7% increase in value) between April and July. Given the trend to downsize, one of the best value-gainers was, ironically, Chrysler’s executive people carrier, the Grand Voyager with a 2.8 CRD 5dr Auto increasing £1,075 between April and July or 10% of its value.

Trade pricing bible, CAP, says 81 of the 83 manufacturers it monitors, have seen average model values rise between January and July.

Alistair Jeff, spokesman for Carsite.co.uk, said: “It’s basic economics – demand is outstripping supply which is pushing prices of certain models upwards. At present there are few signs of a slowdown in this trend, so the more time buyers spend trying to find that cheaper deal, the more it might end up costing.”

Carsite’s innovative ‘Early Bird’ platform enables buyers to take advantage of those appreciating examples in the used car market. With fleet models available to reserve up to 45 days before the end of their contracts, buyers pay today’s prices and then receive the vehicle when it has potentially increased even further in value.

Example Good Appreciators
Model (2006/06 plate / 25k miles)	CAP Change (Apr-Jul 09)
Mazda MX5 1.8i 2dr	+£1,175
Chrysler Grand Voyager 2.8 CRD Limited 5dr Auto	+£1,075
Toyota RAV4 2.0 VVT-i XT3 5dr Auto	+£1,000
Peugeot 307 Coupe Cabriolet 2.0 S 2dr Auto	+£975
Ford Galaxy 1.9 TD Zetec 5dr	+£650
Renault Clio 1.6 VVT Initiale 5dr Auto	+£275

CONVERTIBLE BARGAINS THIS SUMMER AT CARSITE

Posted in press on 10 Aug 2009 at 10:02am

In the warmer summer months you can’t beat the ‘wind in your hair’ al-fresco driving experience that comes from owning a convertible. Despite the typically tempestuous British summer weather, the UK maintains its reputation as one of the biggest buyers of convertibles on the continent.

With a variety of convertibles viewable on its “Early Bird” pre-order service, discounts include a £2,603 saving on a stylish Audi A4 Cabriolet compared to the average dealer forecourt price. Drop-top examples of Renault’s Megane Coupe can also be picked up at £1,374 below prices available through the traditional franchised or independent network.

Make & Model*	Lowest Available Price On Carsite	Cheapest similar at franchised dealer	Potential Saving
Audi A4 Cabriolet 1.8T 2dr 2007 /07 plate	£15,387	£17,990	£2,603
Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet 1.6 VVT Dynamique 2dr 2006 / 06 plate	£8,421	£9,795	£1,374
Peugeot 307 Coupe Cabriolet 2.0 S 2dr Auto 2006 / 56 plate	£9,290	£10,499	£1,209
Saab 9-3 Convertible 1.8t Vector 2dr 2006 / 06 plate	£11,181	£12,060	£879

*Vehicles were listed for sale on 30/07/09.

Carsite’s ‘no salesmen’ buying experience provides you with a comprehensive RAC inspection, including over 21 photos and a video road test, plus the added peace of mind of an HPI check before you commit to buy.

The innovative new “Early Bird” service was the first of its kind on the market, allowing the public to browse thousands of sought after ex-fleet and lease models coming to the end of their contracts – before they’ve even reached the dealerships. A £75 reservation fee – which is fully refundable if you decide to cancel the transaction – removes your car from the marketplace at the exclusion of other buyers or motor traders allowing you to buy it before its even gone on sale.

NEW CARS LOSE OWNERS £23 PER DAY

Posted in press on 21 Jul 2009 at 11:41am

Depreciation hits motorists for £7bn in first six months

A brand new car could lose an average of £23 per day, or about 24% of its total value, during the first six months of ownership according to research by award-winning online car retailer, Carsite.co.uk.

The biggest losers are luxury models which record a painful £77 fall in value on a daily basis.

With industry forecasters estimating around 1.7 million new cars will be sold in 2009, the potential loss in value in just the first six months of ownership could be as high as £7.1bn.

Sector	% Value retained (0-6 months)	Average loss per day (0-6months)

Luxury	70%	£77
Executive	73%	£37
Upper Medium	78%	£22
4X4	81%	£22
MPV	62%	£35
Small Family	73%	£17
Supermini	88%	£5

Carsite.co.uk analysed the purchase price - after applying widely available dealer discounts - and the trade value on a basket of popular models from each segment between January to July.

If everyone paid the manufacturer’s recommended retail “list price”, depreciation would actually cost the British motorist £33 per day on average or £1 per mile for the first 6,000 miles. However, Alistair Jeff, spokesman for Carsite.co.uk, warned: “No one should be buying a new car without a discount. Make sure you’re not stung twice.”

Even with the big discounts available, depreciation accounts for an average of 70p per mile over the first 6,000 miles.

Expensive luxury models, like the Audi A8* and Volkswagen Phaeton**, will lose as much as £96 per day during the first six months on the road. Some larger MPVs, like the Peugeot 807***, can depreciate by as much as 55% in the same period.

But it’s not all bad news.

With their high fuel economy and low running costs, new superminis experienced the slowest depreciation, retaining an average 88% of their value in the first six months, amounting to just £5 lost per day.

One of the best performers on the market is the Mini One Hatchback with a basic 1.4 petrol model expected to retain 96% of its value in the first six months – a depreciation rate of just £2 per day.

Used MPV bargains in time for summer holidaying

Posted in press on 21 Jul 2009 at 11:36am

With summer upon us, and a growing number of families planning to holiday in the UK this year, the versatility of the people carrier will come into its own.

So popular is the Multi Purpose Vehicle - or MPV - today, that no fewer than 20 manufacturers now offer a mind boggling 41 different models. From the compact to the large, from the budget to the executive, the choice is sometimes bewildering, especially when it comes to looking for a used car bargain.

Offering savings of up to 20 percent on dealer forecourt prices, Carsite.co.uk has cherry-picked five examples of its most popular RAC inspected models on the market this week.

Make & Model*	Lowest Available Price On Carsite	Cheapest similar at franchised dealer	Potential Saving
Vauxhall Zafira 1.8i Club 5dr 2006 / 06 plate	£4893	£6895	-£2002
Renault Grand Scenic 1.6 VVT Dynamique 5dr 2006 / 06 plate	£4783	£6488	-£1705
Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 TDCi Zetec 5dr 2005 / 05 plate	£4750	£5995	-£1245
Citroën Xsara Picasso 1.6i 16V Desire 5dr 2006 / 06 plate	£3843	£4988	-£1145
Hyundai Matrix Estate 1.6 GSi 5dr 2006 / 55 plate	£3456	£4495	-£1039

*Vehicles were listed for sale on 29/06/09.

The new innovative “Early Bird” service provides the public with the ability to browse thousands of sought after ex-fleet and lease models coming to the end of their contracts – before they’ve even reached the dealerships. A fully refundable £75 reservation fee removes your car from the market at the exclusion of other buyers or motor traders allowing you to buy it before its even gone on sale.

NEW CARS LOSE OWNERS £23 PER DAY

Posted in press on 21 Jul 2009 at 11:27am

Depreciation hits motorists for £7bn in first six months

The biggest losers are luxury models which record a painful £77 fall in value on a daily basis.

With industry forecasters estimating around 1.7 million new cars will be sold in 2009, the potential loss in value in just the first six months of ownership could be as high as £7.1bn.

Sector	% Value retained (0-6 months)	Average loss per day (0-6months)

Luxury	70%	£77
Executive	73%	£37
Upper Medium	78%	£22
4X4	81%	£22
MPV	62%	£35
Small Family	73%	£17
Supermini	88%	£5

Carsite.co.uk analysed the purchase price - after applying widely available dealer discounts - and the trade value on a basket of popular models from each segment between January to July.

Even with the big discounts available, depreciation accounts for an average of 70p per mile over the first 6,000 miles.

But it’s not all bad news.

BEAT THE CREDIT CRUNCH WITH CITY CAR

Posted in press on 21 Jul 2009 at 11:21am

BARGAINS FROM CARSITE.CO.UK

The Government’s Scrappage scheme has given the small car market a real boost in sales, but for those keen to spend even less on their next vehicle purchase, Carsite.co.uk has a raft of three-year old city cars, about to come off fleet and leasing contracts, with savings of up to 20% on dealer forecourt prices.

Inexpensive to tax, cheap to run and now even less to buy, Carsite is currently offering a Ford Ka 1.3 Luxury with £1,820 off dealer forecourt prices, or a stylish and frugal Peugeot 107 1.0 Urban 5dr model currently £978 below franchised dealer prices.

Carsite.co.uk has cherry-picked five examples of its most popular RAC-inspected city car models on the market this week:

Make & Model*	Lowest Available Price On Carsite	Cheapest similar at franchised dealer	Potential Saving
Nissan Micra 1.2 S 3dr 2006 / 06 plate	£4,672	£4,999	*£327*
Citroen C2 1.6i VTS 2006 / 06 plate	£6,553	£6,999	*£446*
Peugeot 107 1.0 Urban 5dr 2-Tronic 2006 / 06 plate	£4811	£5789	*£978*
Fiat Panda 1.2 4x4 5dr 2006 / 06 plate	£5,005	£6,495	*£1,490*
Ford Ka 1.3 Luxury Ka 3dr 2006 / 06 plate	£4,479	£6,299	*£1,820*

*Vehicles were listed for sale on 09/07/09.

The innovative new “Early Bird” service was the first of its kind on the market, allowing the public to browse thousands of sought after ex-fleet and lease models coming to the end of their contracts – before they’ve even reached the dealerships. A fully refundable £75 reservation fee removes your car from the marketplace at the exclusion of other buyers or motor traders allowing you to buy it before its even gone on sale.

Save ££ and buy your next car before it’s even gone on sale

Posted in press on 21 Jul 2009 at 11:16am

Wouldn’t it be great to source your next used car before it actually goes on sale and save up to 20% in the process?

And before you decide to buy, your chosen vehicle will receive a full independent RAC Inspection, a unique video test drive for you to review, and a comprehensive history check.

If your chosen car then fails to live up to expectations when you see it in the metal, you can walk away without it costing you anything.

Sound good?

That’s the innovative new online service being rolled out by Carsite.co.uk – the award winning used car retailer.

“Early Bird” provides the public with the ability to browse thousands of cars coming to the end of their contracts with fleet and leasing companies nationwide. If you find your ideal match, you pay a £75 reservation fee to remove it from the market at the exclusion of other buyers or motor traders.

Trust is at the core of the Carsite buying journey which is why they organise for a full independent mechanical and bodywork inspection from the RAC on your behalf. The report, which includes a unique video test drive by the RAC, allows you to make an informed purchasing decision.

Not only that, prospective purchasers will also receive 21 detailed photos, plus a copy of the HPI Check in Carsite’s secure ‘Buyer’s Buddy’ login.

If you don’t like what you see or read, you can walk away and Carsite will refund your £75 reservation fee – no questions asked.

You only pay for the car once it’s either been delivered to your home/work, or you’ve gone to one of the handover centres to collect it – either way, you get to compare the metal against the full description before paying.

“Early Bird” from Carsite.co.uk has been designed to give the public unbridled access to highly sought after fleet and leased vehicles before they get sold onto dealers.

It cuts out the middleman to save money, puts the consumer in total control, and presents a no risk alternative to the traditional sales pressure environment of the forecourt.