Motoring News » Car Dealers

Ford Galaxy: The Family Car

admin — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 08:03:09 +0000

Many people aspire to having a brood of children to fill their home with laughter and fun and begin on their merry way to achieve this. There’s no doubt that children bring untold joy to their parents’ lives but with the responsibility of having a child (or five) comes the added stress of worrying about their welfare and safety.

As the UK roads increase in traffic on a seemingly daily basis and cars go faster with more aggression having a car that is safe and reliable provides great peace of mind for many young families. Like any young family will know, the ability to just jump in the car and drive off quickly disappears with the arrival of your first child and the amount of luggage that is needed only increases with the number of children you have.

As a result a new type of vehicle was designed and manufactured and one of the leading MPV (Multi purpose vehicle) is the Ford Galaxy Taunton. Now available in three different generations depending on what age of car you go for, it is one of the most successful MPV’s on the market.

Safe, reliable and spacious, the Ford Galaxy offers today’s family a flexible solution to en mass travelling. Able to seat seven people it provides 32 different seating variations with five seats being able to fold flat. There is lots of stowage space in the doors, under the seats and even overhead so it always maintains an airiness that is much needed for a family.

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Things to consider when buying a used van

admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:06:47 +0000

Buying a van can be a mine field especially when it’s a second hand one that you are looking for. Whilst everyone looks at certain things when they buy a new van, this all becomes increasingly more important when looking at a used van. There can be many pitfalls to buying second hand and whilst there are also some major bonuses, you need to make sure you pick up a gem. The only way you can do that is to do research, plan, be clear on what you want and have a set budget in mind. Used Commercial Vans will have had various different owners, wear and tear and a history that is often hard to see.

Whether it’s a Ford Transit Connect or any other van, it is important to invest the time looking carefully to make sure it’s what you want and what you expect for the money you are spending. If you are not that confident at looking thoroughly at a van yourself, try and find someone you know that will have a better idea of what should be looked at.

One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make is whether you buy privately or through the trade. Buying your van from a dealership, especially a well known one will generally give you much more peace of mind than buying off a stranger. You’ll also find that the van will come with a warranty, even a second hand one, so you can take it in if there are any problems once you’ve driven off the forecourt.

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Buying a second hand car

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:41:26 +0000

Looking for a second car for the family? Just want it for quick shopping trips or the school run? Reluctant to lash out on an expensive new car? Why not try the used car market where following a few dos and don’ts can take the worry out of finding a great bargain that could be even better than buying new.

DO look at the sums – can you afford a car? In the used car market depreciation is less of a problem than in new cars, but service and running costs may mount up. Work out what you can afford in purchase price and for any work that may be needed, and what you can afford to spend in annual costs for fuel, servicing, MOT, car tax and insurance.

DON’T assume the used car market is a jungle where you’ll get lost and ripped off. It’s a place where thousands of satisfied families shop every day to buy their car.

DO think of the used car market as a chance to do even better than you could by buying new. You could trade up a class in the car you’re looking for. The reduced cost of buying it second-hand could add a host of desirable features and extra engine power with the savings against a new car price.

DO check out websites for comparative market prices for private sales, but remember that you have to take responsibility for all the homework if you don’t go to a car dealer.

DO consider going to a reputable used car dealer or dealer group that offers a range of models and years. If they specialise in certain makes, they’ll have knowledge about key features and owner-satisfaction, and they’ll help you maximise what you can buy for your money. Cars under three years old often still have warranties, and most approved-used schemes will provide 12 months of cover.

DO check out the dealer. Make sure they are registered traders, and are members of an industry body like SMMT or RMI.

DO take extra care if you look privately. Inspect it at the owner’s home in daylight. Be sure that the seller is the owner of the car – ask them about the car’s history and get them to show you around its controls. Check out ownership documents, the current MOT and tax certificates, and any warranties. If the car is older than three years, make sure the mileage is consistent with service records and past MOT certificates. Inspect the car carefully from all angles – take someone with you to help – and look for signs of damage, such as dimples in paintwork, or excessive wear on seats and accelerator pedal, that might not square with the mileage.

DO look for the best finance deal you can get to spread the cost of buying your car. An approved car dealer will offer low-interest or even no-interest deals.

DO draw up a checklist of requirements from the suggestions below – it will make it easier to get that bargain that’s right for you and your needs.

WHAT do you want to use the car for? Commuting? Driving kids to school and shopping? Weekend driving and holidays? Carrying loads? Towing a caravan? How many people will it normally carry? Remember: if you’re carrying children, you may need to check pushchair space or child-seat anchor points.

WHERE will you mainly drive? Motorways? In town? Country roads? Off-road? Where will you be parking?

DO consider the fuel. Diesel is great for longer runs but not so good for short trips, and petrol is much cleaner now. But there are green options now even in the used car market.

DO check out insurance costs for the model you have your eye on. There are big differences between comprehensive and third-party policies, and remember some insurers do deals for a second car on one policy.

DON’T buy without taking a test-drive. It’s the only way to assess how it meets your needs, and whether it’s in decent mechanical condition.

DON’T be pressurised into buying. There are more cars out there. If the bargain seems too good to be true, it probably is.

You don’t have to buy new nowadays to get a great car at a great price. Sometimes it’s the clever decision to go second-hand.

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UK’s largest online used car dealer to absorb January VAT increase

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:41:55 +0000

Car buyers can beat the VAT increase with a used car from Autoquake.com, as January’s new tax rate pushes up the price of new cars.

Autoquake.com, the UK’s largest online used car retailer, has pledged to absorb the cost of the VAT increase. However, the move from 15% to a 17.5% VAT rate will put £250 on the price of a new car with a £10,000 pre-tax price, so Autoquake.com’s stock will be even better value compared with a new model.

“The VAT increase will increase the price gap between new and used cars,” said Autoquake.com’s Founder, Fredrik Skantze. “With the scrappage scheme likely to run out of money in February, many buyers will once again find a new car is just too expensive. A quality used model is much better value.”

The 17.5% VAT rate and the end of the scrappage scheme won’t be the end of the bad news for new car buyers in 2010, Skantze predicts: “We’ve already seen a number of car manufacturers raise prices in 2009. Ford’s prices have gone up no less than four times in the past 12 months. While the pound remains weak against the euro, increases by other manufacturers can’t be ruled out.”

“Experts are also predicting the cost of steel will increase in 2010, which will add to the cost of manufacture. Don’t be surprised if the new car buyer has to foot the bill,” Skantze concluded.

While VAT applies to the invoice price of every new car, the tax position is more complicated in the used car market. On many used cars, the selling dealer only pays VAT on their profit margin. Even VAT Qualifying cars, which do attract VAT, are valued no differently by trade price guides to any other used car. In effect, this minimises the theoretical impact the VAT increase has on used car prices.

Autoquake.com’s VAT price pledge goes further, however, and means the 17.5% VAT rate won’t add a penny to the price its customers pay.

For more information on the VAT increase visit www.hmrc.gov.uk and for more information on Autoquake.com go to www.autoquake.com.
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