Car auctioneer lists options that add value at sale time

Exclusive research by Manheim Auctions – which handles half a million vehicles through its 17 auction sites across the country, has revealed that the ticks you make on the options list of your new car could have a massive impact on its future resale value.

For example, luxury cars such as BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S Class and Audi A8 ordered with manual gearboxes, could fetch as much as £4,000 less, in a couple of years time, than one supplied with a automatic gearbox - which owners expect to see as standard.

Looking specifically at large family cars (e.g. Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra and Renault Laguna etc), compact executive (e.g. Jaguar X-Type and BMW 3 Series) and executive cars (e.g. Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class), the research highlights the effect that having the right equipment, has on second hand values. Not surprisingly specification such as satellite navigation, leather upholstery and the right colour paintwork are top of the list and the executive and luxury car sectors are the most sensitive to this.

The survey, which was conducted with top buyers across Manheim’s national auction network, looks at what dealers see as essential equipment on cars they are buying to sell on their forecourts. It makes fascinating reading and the message is simple – some equipment is seen as a ‘must have’ while other options don’t really turn buyers on at all and might be a poor investment. Worse still, there are certain options which will actually make your car worth less when you come to sell it!

Some of the headlines are:

Metallic paint is probably the optional extra most in demand on a used car, with some buyers prepared to pay as much as £1,000 more for a vehicle in the right colour. Buyers like neutral colours such as silver and light blue on expensive cars, but blacks and reds are still sought after on sporting models.

Satellite navigation and leather upholstery are also seen as desirable options on large family cars such as VW Passats, still adding around £300 and £250 respectively even after three years.

On compact executive cars, such as the Audi A4, buyers place even higher values on these two options averaging nearly £500 and £400 respectively.

Executive and luxury cars without automatic gearboxes find very few takers. Where they do the price is drastically reduced with buyers taking off a staggering £2,100, on average, for a manual gearbox option. Some buyers said it reduces the value by as much as £3,000 on a 52-plate and nearly £4,000 on a 54-plate!

One of the options finding less favour with the second hand buyer is the optional DVD/TV units increasingly installed in executive models. While some buyers said they would pay extra, others simply considered it as a bonus rather than one they would wish to pay for.

Rob Barr, Manheim’s Director of Strategy and Communications says: "This research into options and their effect on a vehicle's value simply reflects the demands of the market. If you want the best possible price for your used vehicle then approach the options list with care and consideration. Choosing the right options can either be a good investment and ensure your used car enjoys a quick sale or can turn buyers off."