More people opting for gas-guzzling used cars

Pressure on the Government to increase the duty on the most polluting vehicles will hit those driving gas-guzzlers the hardest.

However, the latest used car sales statistics from Experian, the global information solutions company, have revealed a slight shift towards these bigger cars during the third quarter of 2006, suggesting that cost conscious used car buyers are perhaps not as prudent or environmentally friendly as they might think they are.

While sales of all types of used cars fell throughout the country (down by 0.4 per cent compared to the same period in 2005), bigger cars with larger engines were the only types to increase sales during the quarter, according to Experian. Most notably, sales of used SUVs, MPVs, luxury and executive cars, many of which are criticised for being gas-guzzlers, increased by 10 per cent, 18.9 per cent, 2.1 per cent and 0.3 per cent, respectively.

Rob Whalley, Managing Director of Experian’s Automotive division, said: “Higher debt repayments, dearer fuel and the possibility of further tax increases have contributed to consumers’ concerns about the cost of buying and running a car. Added to this, growing fears for the environment and negative media attention on gas-guzzlers has led many experts to predict a fall in the sale of bigger cars. So, whilst this is certainly the case with new cars, the increase in sales of older used cars that have larger engines, use more fuel and usually have higher CO2 emissions, is at odds with concerns for both the environment and the costs of running a car.

“As prices of larger cars tend to fall more quickly, they have become more affordable and, with the rise in fuel prices and the threat of further tax increases, they can be bought at even lower prices.

“For cost conscious car buyers, it is an opportunity to buy a bigger car at a reduced price. It appears that they are focusing more on the lower initial financial outlay rather than the long-term costs, let alone the affects on the planet. It begs the question, are running costs really a big concern amongst consumers? The statistics show that sales of larger diesel cars, which are more economical to run, are also increasing but are consumers aware of the long-term running costs of a bigger car, even with a diesel engine? And, what about the concerns about the effect on the environment?

“As sales of older used cars increase, the opportunities for fraudsters to take advantage and sell on big cars that have been stolen, written-off or still have finance outstanding on them also increase. More reason, therefore, for consumers to check the status of these cars through services such as AutoCheck before buying them.”