News
Best-selling used cars in January 2024
With consumer confidence expected to continue to rise throughout 2024 (according to a report from Deloitte), January witnessed a flurry of activity among dealers looking to fill their forecourts. Unsurprisingly, this resulted in some familiar bestsellers dominating the used cars sales charts.
Vauxhall Corsa
Our most popular used car of 2023, the Vauxhall Corsa continues its reign as a favourite among independent dealers and car supermarkets alike throughout the UK, taking the top spot in January’s best-selling used cars list. Its compact size and reliability make it a popular car for first-time buyers and one that’s sure to earn dealers a quick sale.
Ford Fiesta
There seems to be a theme among dealers and compact cars so far this year, with the Ford Fiesta coming in second place among January’s best sellers. Its affordability and durability continue to make the Ford Fiesta a hot commodity among budget-conscious buyers – not to mention its strong resale value and attractive profit margins which keep dealers coming back for more.
Ford Focus
A reliable brand, Ford continues to stand out among manufacturers in 2024 so far. For those looking to stock up on profitable and versatile used cars that can appeal to a range of buyers, look no further than the Ford Focus. Combining ample space, in both hatchback and estate models, with its competitive pricing and reliability, the Ford Focus appeals to a wide range of buyers and makes a great choice for used car retailers who are aiming to move stock quickly.
Volkswagen Golf
Given the current climate, it’s clear that retailers across the UK are looking for two main things when purchasing used cars: stock that will move quickly and stock that will hold its value in case it doesn’t – so it’s clear why the Volkswagen Golf featured in among our best-selling used cars of 2024 so far! With its premium look and reputation for quality, it’s a must-have for trade customers aiming to attract a wider range of buyers. Plus, thanks to its strong resale value, adding a used Volkswagen Golf to your forecourt could provide retailers with promising returns.
Don’t miss out on these best sellers in 2024
If you’re interested in adding some of these best sellers to your forecourt this year, you can set vehicle alerts on your account so you won’t miss out on the chance to bid on these popular used cars. To see if we have any of these models in upcoming sales, you can view the vehicle list here.
You also have the option to view the vehicles you’re interested in person before the sale, so you can inspect it yourself and start the engine. However, if you can’t make it to one of our sites ahead of time, you’ll have added peace of mind knowing that all our vehicles are NAMA graded, so you can buy with confidence.
If you don’t yet have an account with CCA, you can follow our simple process to apply for a trade account today.
We’re expanding!
As our customer base continues to grow, we’re expanding with them! Following the successful launch of our Newcastle site last August, we’ve decided to expand even further in England in 2024. We’re delighted to announce the opening of our Stafford and Lingfield branches this coming March.
So, what does this mean for you?
We’re making it even easier for you to fill your forecourt with good-quality, NAMA-graded, pre-owned car stock. You can continue to view, bid and buy online, but it’ll now be even easier for you to visit us in person and view the stock you’re interested in before you place your bid – meaning you can bid and buy online with even more confidence. Plus, we’ll be adding extra auction times, so you’ll have more opportunities to bid on the stock you want.
We’ll continue to provide UK-wide transportation services, but if you’re closer to our new sites, you’ll have the added benefit of paying lower transport fees when you purchase or sell stock. Less miles to travel means smaller transport fees!
Our new Stafford and Lingfield teams will continue to provide dedicated support and high levels of customer service five days a week. Plus, they’ll be on hand to answer any queries you may have.
Interested in purchasing stock from one of our new sites? Register for a trade account today!
Buyers will ‘switch’ to new brands if price is right
Are you a car retailer looking to diversify your stock? Recent surveys have revealed some interesting information that may affect your decision-making when it’s time to fill your forecourt.
According to JudgeService’s Car Buyer Barometer, consumers will consider switching to a new car brand if prices are significantly lower than those of established marques. Figures have shown that three quarters of 1,000 consumers polled would be tempted by cheaper prices.
It’s big news for those retailers across the UK who purchase their stock from used car auctions – like Central Car Auctions. At a time when cost and value for money is a top priority for both consumers and retailers, now could be the perfect time for car retailers to diversify their offering and turn to new prestige brands.
Interestingly, the survey revealed that brand loyalty isn’t quite as strong as it used to be. Nearly half (48%) of mainstream brand owners said they would consider buying from a new entrant if prices were up to £3,000 cheaper, while a further 27% said they would switch if they were more than £3,000 lower. New entrants to the UK include the likes of BYD, Aiways, Fisker, Geely, GWM ORA and Xpeng.
This included the owners of prestige brands, who also showed a willingness to change. Over a third (34%) said they would switch if prices were at least £3,000 cheaper, while 41% would consider if savings were over £3,000.
With many new brands also offering generous standard equipment levels, a quarter of all respondents said they would switch if the specification was right for them, regardless of the cars being cheaper.
It suggests that car retailers and traders should have an open mind when it comes to filling their forecourt and consider purchasing more prestige used car stock to satisfy the needs of consumers. And while there is less awareness surrounding these brands, they will inevitably become more popular in the coming years – especially with the increasing presence of electric vehicles of the road.
At Central Car Auctions, we have thousands of vehicles available through our six live online auctions help every week – on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday – across our facilities in Glasgow and Newcastle. We work closely with the UK’s leading dealer groups and all vehicles are NAMA graded, so every customer can buy with confidence, knowing they are getting great value, quality, and choice.
Customers can also enjoy a wide range of benefits, such as a UK-wide transportation service, a dedicated account manager and more.
Looking to fill your forecourt? Get in touch, and our team will be happy to assist.
Join us at AM Live on Thursday 9th November
We’ll be attending Automotive Management Live at the NEC in Birmingham on Thursday 9th November.
AM Live welcomes motor retail professionals from across the UK for a series of discussions, showcases and networking opportunities - all with an aim of helping to shape the future of the industry.
You’ll find us at stand C56, where you can meet members of the team and find out more about the benefits of buying and selling with Central Car Auctions, including information on our online bidding platform, low auction fees and nationwide delivery services. Plus, you’ll get all the exciting news about what we have planned for 2024.
If you haven’t registered for the event yet, there’s still time! Register now
Our brand-new branch in Newcastle is open!
Portobello Road, Birtley, Chester-le-Street DH3 2SN
We're excited to expand the business south of the border, with the new site giving us the opportunity to take on more stock and help our customers access even more vehicles to fill their forecourts.
As of Tuesday 20th June, we will be hosting an additional auction every Tuesday from 1pm to sell the vehicles located at our Newcastle site and surrounding area. Customers can expect approximately 100+ cars to be available at these additional Tuesday sales, which will be available for viewing on the Friday and Monday before the auction.
When you're looking at a vehicle listing on our website, look for this 'new' tab next to the vehicle's location. This will let you know what branch the specific vehicle is located at. Keep this in mind for transportation to your forecourt!
