DRIVERS looking for a second-hand petrol car this summer face paying almost £1,300 more than a year ago.
Average values have jumped by some nine per cent from £14,000 to £15,270, Auto Trader figures shared exclusively with The Sun reveal.
ShutterstockThe cost of buying a used car has increased and ultra low emission zones are partly to blame[/caption]
Used car prices have been climbing as a shortage of new vehicles off the production line since the start of the pandemic pushed up demand.
Ultra low emission zones in London, and similar schemes across the UK, have led to a popularity surge for some models, experts say.
Petrol cars made from 2006 onwards typically escape ULEZ charges, which can be up to £4,550 annually.
But most diesels made before September 2015 don’t meet standards, and values have tumbled from £7,920 to £7,000 in a year.
Second-hand electric motor prices have fluctuated, but are tipped to stabilise.
Here, Leah Milner and Laura Purkess explain how to get the best price for your used car . . .
Buyer’s tips
CHECK your new car won’t incur charges in a clean air zone by punching the registration number into an online checker before you buy.
For London’s ULEZ, visit tfl.gov.uk, for Bristol and Birmingham use gov.uk/clean-air-zones and for Scotland it’s lowemissionzones.scot.
And take a screenshot in case a glitch sees you get fined.
Before you book a viewing, run a free MOT check with the DVLA.
See gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla.
It’s worth doing a more extensive history check with the RAC, AA or HPI.com to find out if the car has any outstanding finance on it, has been stolen or previously scrapped. These cost from £15-£20.
Watch out for anyone offering a motor for significantly less than other listings for the same model.
James Baggott, chief executive of Car Dealer Magazine, warns: “It’s likely to either be a scam or there is something wrong with the car.”
James adds that fraudsters will use pressure tactics to get you to pay upfront, adding: “Never hand over any money without confirming that the car is real by inspecting it in person.”
The price of second hand petrol cars compliant with ULEZ has increased in the past 12 months
Data shows the biggest price risers over the past 12 months, with BMW 3 Series top of the chart
Hyundai iX35s have seen the biggest year on year drop in price
These cities have emission regulation zones for buses, taxis and more…but only those coloured blue charge private cars
Seller’s tips
IF your car doesn’t meet clean-air-zone standards – you could still get a good price.
Alex Buttle, co-founder of online marketplace Motorway, says: “As much of the UK sits outside these zones, and with the used car market as strong as it is, there will still be buyers.”
Selling online means you have buyers UK-wide, whereas a local dealer near one of the zones may offer less.
Carwow consumer editor Hugo Griffiths says: “Drivers in rural areas are likely to be on the lookout for bargain cars being moved out of cities.”
Websites like Motorway, Carwow and Webuyanycar auction your car to dealers nationwide, but they differ, so compare the value of your car on several and ensure you understand the process.
Or list your car privately on sites like Auto Trader or eBay.
You might be able to make more money as it cuts out the middle man but it can be more hassle and you must be vigilant for scams.
Trading in your car as part-exchange with a dealership is an easier option, but The Car Expert’s Stuart Masson says: “You’re effectively negotiating the price for your old car as well as for the new one, which gives the dealer a chance to make extra money.”
‘I’ve been forced to buy a new car on finance’
Tina Nandha had to sell her diesel as it was too expensive to run with the ULEZ schemeSupplied
TINA Nandha has had to sell her diesel VW Golf and buy a petrol car on finance at a cost of £200 a month because of ULEZ.
The mum, expecting her third baby in August, lives in Borehamwood, Herts, but has to travel to the soon-to-be-expanded ULEZ zone in London for her medical appointments and to see family.
“The dealer who bought my Golf said he was picking up lots of cheap diesels in London and selling them up North,” she said.
Tina, 38, who runs media agency Socially Ignited, said: “I’ve been forced to take out finance to buy the new car, on top of soaring mortgage rates and other costs.”