My mother bought a car last month (08 plate)and got no discount at all. As ever, it depends on the model you are trying to buy and if demand for that model is higher than the number available. Then you'll have 1.6 Zetec Foci/Focuses(!) languishing on forecourts for a fraction of their original listed price. I'm not sure the market average gives any insight into the fortunes an individual model.

People are really keen on the cheap tax disk cars so prices on the group C and under cars are very high. Not sure that fifty quid a year makes a huge difference to the ~£5000 the average motorist spends on motoring p.a., but people sure notice it!

In spite of what they say about falling prices, I think that in tough times second hand prices should be quite buoyant since people who would normally be looking at new cars are forced to either keep their existing car (reduces supply) or look at used cars (increases demand). Prices in autotrader seem pretty stable.

I think Parkers prices are a bit optimistic at the best of times!

Edited by unthrottled on 11/07/2011 at 23:38

Used car prices have rocketed in the last two years, the manufacturers used the scrappage scheme as an excuse to put RRPs up £2+K and they haven't dropped since because of the crash the pound's value. The recession slowed down company car sales so there are fewer 2-3 year old cars coming onto the market firming s/h prices further. You can get good deals on new cars, but the £5K-£8K range buys you much less car than it did two years ago.

yes values are down,wait a bit though as stock in most garages bought at high prices,end of august be good as prices will drop ,as used car dealers are starting to struggle to sell,8 have gone under in south wales in the last month.