September 2014 could be a “pivotal” moment for the used car market in the UK. That’s the view of Glass’s chief car editor Rupert Pontin who said volumes of used cars in the trade were set to rise. “We will start to see an increase in the volume of used cars coming to the market as a direct result of the increase in registrations following the recession,” said Pontin. “There will still be a plethora of base and low spec level cars that have been used predominantly for business, and as such will not achieve the best condition grades. “The trade has long been concerned at the volume of poor quality low specification C and D segment diesel models typically favoured by companies for staff covering significant mileages that have been floating around unsold in auction centres and wholesale channels for several months now,”…

Hyundai has launched an OEM parts service for independent non-franchised repairers. The Made for Trade programme will offer genuine Hyundai parts to the UK’s 35,000 independent motor traders, in a move prompted by the brand’s growing sales which it forecasts will see its vehicle parc to be 70% more by 2017 than 2012. The brand piloted Made for Trade with 40 independent dealers, selected according to location and their quality of customer service. “The creation of our Made for Trade parts programme follows the introduction earlier this year of Hyundai’s overnight parts delivery service. Both help to enhance standards of aftersales care offered to customers and trade professionals,” said Tony Whitehorn, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor UK. The new programme uses number-plate recognition software to speed up parts ordering, a stock check analysis tool, promotional offers and training programmes.

Dealers can expect continued high demand for sub-£5K used cars well into the economic recovery, according to The Warranty Group. Despite the economy’s return to its pre-recessionary level, The Warranty Group said demand for low cost used cars will continue as a result of real world wages having fallen since the recession began. “There is perhaps an expectation that the burgeoning economic recovery should see people start to spend more money on cars right across the used sector. However, this is not happening and is unlikely to do so. The recession has left a lot of people feeling much worse off and that situation is unlikely to change for quite some time, “ said Ian Simpson, sales and marketing director. “Dealers specialising in the sub-£5K sector will continue to do well if they retail quality, low cost cars that are likely to provide value…

The fastest selling used car on dealer forecourts in April was the Peugeot 2008, according to research from Glass’s. Peugeot’s award-winning small crossover SUV spent an average of 24.8 days on forecourt in the top 10 list of the quickest sellers. The listing also featured a surprise appearance of the long discontinued Rover 25 in second place at 28.6 days, followed by the Nissan Qashqai in third place at 28.7 days. Rupert Pontin, Glass’s chief car editor, said the findings were particularly welcome for Audi which had four of the fastest selling cars. “For Audi, this reaffirmation of the brand’s popularity in the used market is very significant, bearing in mind the surge in new registrations over recent years. It shows there is a strong retail demand for the product, which is sure to help with residual values. I think the A1, which has…