The lower-medium sector has been one
of the most consistent auction performers in recent years, right
across the board. Motorists like the economic running costs
associated with a smaller vehicle and the fact they have a car that
is equally at home doing the weekly shop, the daily school run or
longer-haul motorway driving.
It is the ideal choice for the
one-car family, but just as likely to be the second family car.
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The sector generally outperforms the
rest of the market in terms of retained value and makes for a very
attractive commodity at remarketing time.
Professional buyers reflect this by
bidding strongly, while non-trade buyers make a beeline for these
desirable cars.
This sector is fiercely competitive
and can be surprisingly badge-sensitive. Because there is plenty of
choice of good quality product in the marketplace, buyers are
always looking for the best spec and colour combinations.
Good metallic colours always sell
well, particularly when paired with a decent set of alloy wheels –
but remember that highly fashionable colours can quickly become
deeply undesirable.
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By GlobalDataWith this in mind, the limited
editions tend to date most rapidly.
Expectations for spec currently seem
to keep rising – aircon and remote locking are vital, with electric
windows all round; twin-airbags preferable, while a decent CD/radio
is a must.
Increasingly buyers are expecting
satnav, parking sensors and Bluetooth for their MP3 players.
Both petrol and diesel versions sell
well, but avoid underpowered examples. Automatics are uncommon and
are highly sought-after, and five doors are always preferred to
three.
Buyers do not like high mileage or
damage, the latter being particularly off-putting. If there is
damage to your de-fleeted lower-medium sector cars, BCA recommends
investing in SMART repairs as it makes the cars that much more
desirable.
Simon Henstock, BCA’s UK
operations director
FLA consumer finance statistics: June
2009
Fleet vehicles: residual
values
|
1 year old (20,000 |
2 year old (40,000 |
3 year old (60,000 |
||||
|
July 09 (£) |
August 09 (£) |
July 09 (£) |
August 09 (£) |
July 09 (£) |
August 09 (£) |
|
|
Ford: New Focus 1.6 Zetec |
7,800 |
8,000 |
5,000 |
5,200 |
3,800 |
4,000 |
|
Mondeo 1.6 Zetec/1.8 LX 5dr A/C |
9,300 |
9,400 |
4,750 |
4,800 |
3,600 |
3,750 |
|
Galaxy 2.0 Zetec |
11,500 |
12,000 |
9,400 |
9,600 |
7,200 |
7,300 |
|
Land |
23,500 |
23,500 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
16,500 |
16,500 |
|
Vauxhall: Corsa 1.2I Design |
6,250 |
6,300 |
4,500 |
4,600 |
3,500 |
3,600 |
|
Astra 1.6 Club 5dr |
6,600 |
6,600 |
4,800 |
4,800 |
3,750 |
3,750 |
|
Vectra 1.8 Design |
6,800 |
6,800 |
5,250 |
5,250 |
4,000 |
4,000 |
|
Citreön: C5 2.0 HDI Estate |
7,200 |
7,000 |
5,800 |
5,750 |
4,500 |
4,400 |
|
Peugeot: 307 1.6 S A/C |
6,000 |
5,800 |
4,750 |
4,700 |
3,700 |
3,600 |
|
407 1.8S Multimedia/407 S 1.8 |
6,000 |
6,000 |
5,000 |
5,000 |
3,600 |
3,600 |
|
BMW: New 325 SE Auto |
16,800 |
16,800 |
12,500 |
12,500 |
10,600 |
10,600 |
|
Mercedes: C200K Elegance |
16,500 |
16,700 |
10,250 |
10,400 |
8,500 |
8,750 |
|
Audi: A4 2.0 SE |
11,800 |
11,600 |
9,750 |
6,900 |
7,700 |
7,600 |
|
Source: BCA |
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