Month: September 2022

Motorway has announced its top 10 most in-demand used cars from over the summer, revealing which cars drove the highest number of bids, and which attracted the highest prices. 

EVs continue their popularity charge, making up four of the top 10. Meanwhile, retro models including the Fiat 500 and MINI Cooper continue to top the charts decades after they were first launched, as Brits continue to embrace modern guises of the classics. 

The Top 10 most bid for cars on Motorway over the summer:

Year	Make	Model	Highest Bid*
2015	Fiat	500 Vintage 57	£5,605
2016	MINI	Cooper S Electric Level 3	£30,300
2017	BMW	i3 Range Extender	£18,669
2015	BMW	330D M Sport Auto	£16,435
2020	Porsche	911 Turbo S	£201,946
2015	BMW	i3 Range Extender	£17,827
2019	Volkswagen	Golf GTI TCR S-A	£26,392
2016	Volkswagen	Golf GTE NAV	£17,149
2021	Hyundai	Ioniq 5 Premium EV	£44,227
2018	MINI	Cooper	£15,219

EVs pick up their pace 

Motorists are continuing to line up to get their hands on EVs, as four mid-to-high end EVs are included in the top 10. A MINI Cooper Electric from 2020 started a bidding frenzy on the platform, attracting a huge number of bids with a final offer of over £30k. While MINIs consistently attract a lot of attention, their electric models are a hot ticket right now and are being quickly snapped up. 

The BMW i3 is in similar demand, owing to its reputation for durability. Two models that sold over the summer created a real buzz at auction, resulting in a final offer of £18k. This growing demand for used EVs, particularly in more premium segments, shows no signs of slowing down. 

Nearly-new cars

It should come as no surprise that almost all the cars in the top 10 are both nearly new and low mileage. The continued shortage of supply in the nearly new segment stemming from new car supply constraints means that when young models do go up for sale, they create real excitement on the used-car marketplace. From a one-year-old Hyundai Ioniq 5 to a 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI and a 2018 Mini Cooper, dealers battled it out to secure these cars for the best price.  

The car that received the most bids over summer was a Fiat 500 Vintage. This particular car attracted the most attention due to its full service history, great condition and low mileage relative to its age. 

Luxury cars in high demand

High-end cars are also attracting a lot of attention, similarly due to new car supply constraints. Savvy dealers are lining their forecourts with nearly-new luxury cars to meet this growing demand. In July, a Porsche 911 Turbo created a flurry of bids at auction, eventually going for over £200k. With barely 4,000 miles on the clock and on the road for just two years, this car was a dream buy. 

Alex Buttle, co-founder of online used-car marketplace Motorway said: “The ongoing shortage of semiconductors and other car parts has caused delays for manufacturers bringing new cars to market. Now, it’s not uncommon for wait times of one or even two years for new popular models, meaning car dealers are turning to the used-car market to find the high quality, low mileage cars they need to meet demand. If you own a sought after car, especially if it’s a prestige or electric model, now could be a good time to sell for a great price.”

To sell your car and to value it with a free estimated sale price, visit motorway.co.uk.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Top 10 most in demand cars on Motorway June-August 2022 (based on the highest number of bids each car received).

About Motorway

Motorway is the UK’s fastest-growing used car marketplace. We connect people selling their car directly with our network of more than 5,000 verified car dealers, matching each seller on our platform with the dealer who most wants to buy their car. We help car owners sell their cars 100% online for a great price in as little as 24 hours, with their car collected from home for free, while supporting our car dealer partners to easily acquire the best used car stock.

When looking to buy a house, potential buyers often look at a number of factors when making their decision. Proximity to a train station, school catchment areas, broadband speed and potential energy costs are all factors influencing a property purchase. One item to add to this list for those looking to buy in Greater London, is whether or not their car is ULEZ compliant, given the ULEZ is set to expand in August 2023. The daily ULEZ charge of £12.50 could add up for anyone who drives into the zone regularly, costing drivers up to £4,500 a year.²

Research around the ULEZ expansion, commissioned by Motorway, reveals that nearly half (47%) of Londoners said they would sell in order to buy an electric vehicle in light of the potential expansion of ULEZ.  However, due to the rising cost of living, many will be unable to make this switch. Research also uncovered that 4 in 10 (39%) Londoners sold their car when ULEZ was originally introduced due to having non-ULEZ compliant cars, and with plans of an expansion on the horizon, many more are set to follow suit.

According to data from Motorway’s ULEZ compliance checker, Land Rover and Mercedes are the most likely to be non-compliant with three in five (60%)¹ vehicles facing fines.  

Least ULEZ compliant cars by make*

1. Land Rover – 60%  
2. Mercedes – 58%
3. Jaguar – 58%
4. Jeep – 57%
5. Volvo – 57% 
6. Volkswagen – 56% 
7. BMW – 55% 
8. Audi – 54% 
9. Honda – 47%
10. Ford – 44%

Alex Buttle, co-founder of online used-car marketplace Motorway said: “The proposed expansion of ULEZ to all of Greater London creates a new consideration for prospective home buyers planning a move to the capital and surrounding areas. Our ULEZ checker has identified the car makes which are indexing high for non compliance, meaning Mercedes and Land Rover owners could be hit with a daily charge of £12.50. With the rising cost of living, these charges start to add up and should be considered when budgeting for a property purchase and move. Our ULEZ compliance checker makes it quick and easy for any car owner to check if their car is compliant or not, which is important information for drivers across and near the Greater London region.”

Motorway, the UK’s fastest growing used-car marketplace, launched a ULEZ checker late last year making it easy for drivers to quickly check whether or not their car is compliant. This information is important for anyone living in and around the ULEZ area as well as anyone thinking of making the move to Greater London. 

To check if your car is ULEZ compliant, visit https://motorway.co.uk/ulez-checker

To value your car and to get an estimated sale price, visit Motorway.co.uk.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Research conducted in July 2022 by Censuswide with a sample of 1,000 British car owners aged 18+ from London and Greater London.

¹ Based on 197,793 checks for Mercedes, Land Rover and Toyota vehicles on Motorway’s 

ULEZ compliance checker from January 1st to August 31st 2022. We can provide a full breakdown on request. 

² Based on the potential of driving 365 days a year (£12.50 x 365 = £4562.50)

About Motorway

Motorway is the UK’s fastest-growing used car marketplace. We connect people selling their car directly with our network of more than 5,000 verified car dealers, matching each seller on our platform with the dealer who most wants to buy their car. We help car owners sell their cars 100% online for a great price in as little as 24 hours, with their car collected from home for free, while supporting our car dealer partners to easily acquire the best used car stock.

Research commissioned by online used-car marketplace Motorway has revealed that one in three (36%) Londoners plan to sell their vehicle in the next six months because of the proposed ULEZ extension alongside the rising cost of living.

Londoners are growing increasingly concerned about the expansion, with three in five (60%) admitting they are worried about how it will affect their finances. Two thirds (67%) of those surveyed can’t afford to switch to an electric vehicle or compliant petrol car. 

According to data from Motorway’s ULEZ compliance checker, Mercedes and Land Rover are the most likely to be non-compliant with three in five (60%) vehicles facing fines.  Research also uncovered that four in 10 (39%) Londoners sold their car when ULEZ was originally introduced, and with plans of an expansion on the horizon, many more are set to follow suit.

When asked about the reasons for selling their petrol or diesel car, half (47%) of Londoners said they would sell in order to buy an electric vehicle in light of the potential expansion of ULEZ.  However, due to the rising cost of living, many will be unable to make this switch.

What’s more, the data reveals that a third (36%) of those in the capital are unaware the ULEZ could be expanded by August 2023.

Alex Buttle, co-founder of online used-car marketplace Motorway said: “The cost of petrol and diesel, along with the cost of living, are rising fast. This coupled with the extension of the ULEZ in London, means more urban drivers are questioning their current car and driving habits. We’ve seen a 21% rise in diesel cars being sold on Motorway since last month and the research revealed many more motorists will be looking to sell in the next six months due to the likely expansion of ULEZ to cover the whole of the city.  

“At Motorway, we work with a network of more than 5,000 dealers, who compete to give sellers a great price for their car. So no matter what the reason a car owner might be looking to sell, we’re here to help sellers do that 100% online, in as little as 24 hours.”

To check if your car is ULEZ compliant, visit https://motorway.co.uk/ulez-checker

To value your car and to get an estimated sale price, visit Motorway – the way to sell your car.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Research conducted in July 2022 by Censuswide with a sample of 1,000 British car owners aged 18+ from London and Greater London.

¹ Based on 159,779 checks for Mercedes, Land Rover and Toyota vehicles on Motorway’s 

ULEZ compliance checker. We can provide a full breakdown on request. 

1. Mercedes – 60% 
2. Land Rover – 60%  
3. Volkswagen – 56% 
4. BMW – 55% 
5. Audi – 54% 
6. Peugeot – 46% 
7. Honda – 45%
8. Ford – 44%
9. Nissan – 41%
10. Vauxhall – 40% 
11. Toyota – 38% 

About Motorway

Motorway is the UK’s fastest-growing used car marketplace. We connect people selling their car directly with our network of more than 5,000 verified car dealers, matching each seller on our platform with the dealer who most wants to buy their car. We help car owners sell their cars 100% online for a great price in as little as 24 hours, with their car collected from home for free, while supporting our car dealer partners to easily acquire the best used car stock.