Motorway announces sponsorship of TNT Sports’ broadcast coverage of the Premier League and UEFA Europa League

London, 11th August 2023Motorway, the UK’s fastest growing used car marketplace, has today announced it will sponsor TNT Sports’ broadcast coverage of the Premier League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Europa Conference League. 

Motorway’s sponsorship will feature brand new creative idents, featuring much loved former players and TNT Sports’ pundits, Peter Crouch and Joe Cole.

Motorway’s nationwide network of dealers compete to give car seller’s their best price. The new creative idents dramatise the best price feeling sellers get when they sell their car on Motorway, by using famous football celebrations, including Peter Crouch’s robot and the Mbappe knee slide.

The two year sponsorship agreement, planned and brokered by Motorway’s media agency, MG OMD and Sky Media, will span more than 200 live games across TNT Sports’ coverage of the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 seasons. The sponsorship kicks off with the first game on the 12th of August, Arsenal v Nottingham Forest, and will include a comprehensive activation package, with the new whistle to whistle 5, 10 & 15 second creative idents before games, during half-time and after games, as well as sponsorship across live streams through the discovery+ app.

In the first year, Motorway’s partnership with TNT Sports is projected to reach 22% of the ABC1 audience and marks Motorway’s continued sponsorship of major live sports coverage, following their sponsorship of BT Sport’s coverage of the Premier League for the 2022/2023 season and their recent sponsorship of ITV’s coverage of the Guinness Six Nations across 2022 and 2023.

Lloyd Page, CMO of Motorway, said: “At Motorway, our network of dealers continues to compete to give car sellers their best price – now with more cars in our daily online sale, than ever before. Driving awareness and consideration of Motorway, as the definitive way to sell a car, by sponsoring one of the most loved and widely watched games, continues to be a perfect match for our business. This year we’ve created a series of creative idents, which bring to life the deals worth celebrating, combining the celebrations of both the world of football and when everyday car owners receive their best price through Motorway. We hope to help even more car owners sell their cars online for a great price, to our nationwide network of thousands of dealers.”

Tom Cocker, Executive Director at MG OMD, said: “We are delighted to work with our fantastic client, Motorway and media partners, Warner Bros Discovery and Sky Media to once again sponsor live, whistle to whistle coverage of the nation’s favourite football tournaments –  The Premier League and Europa League on TNT Sports. Building on our successful two year partnership, we are excited to help further fuel Motorway’s rapid growth journey as the definitive way to sell your car through a truly integrated sponsorship, including new idents featuring talent, which will allow us to engage and drive salience among key audiences at scale.” 

ENDS

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.

About MG OMD

MG OMD is a media agency that offers clients unprecedented insight, specialism, security, and transparency. We are focused on using media to unlock our clients’ competitive advantage, delivering innovative, effective and award-winning work and campaigns that create difference that matters.

MG OMD is the most awarded media agency in both the history of the IPA Effectiveness Awards and Thinkbox’s TV Planning Awards and is currently Media Week’s Agency Partner of the Year for the third consecutive year and Thinkbox’s TV Planning Agency of the Year for the second year running.

Motorway launches industry first payments service for car dealers to drive hassle-free online purchasing from private car sellers

  • “Motorway Pay” enables dealers to fund a secure online wallet, and then release money to private sellers instantly once the vehicle is inspected
  • The service handles seller bank details, documentation, clearing of finance and instant payment, drastically reducing admin and accelerating speed of transactions
  • Free solution makes buying from private sellers easier than ever before, especially in high volumes

Motorway, the UK’s fastest-growing used car marketplace, today announced the launch of Motorway Pay – a new solution enabling dealers buying cars on Motorway to fund a secure online wallet and then release money to private sellers instantly to complete transactions. The industry first payment service has been designed to significantly improve the purchasing experience for dealers, making payment for vehicles fast, easy, transparent and secure. 

When buying from private sellers, dealers often have a lengthy process to go through on each individual transaction. This includes verifying documentation, setting up a new seller as a payee and handling finance settlement. With Motorway Pay, dealers can now pre-load their wallet prior to vehicle collection and then use these funds to immediately pay for the vehicle, at the click of a button. Motorway Pay takes care of all of the admin of collecting and verifying documents, setting up payees and confirming successful payment for both parties. This reduces wait time at the doorstep for the dealer and the seller; and immediate payment confirmations bring instant clarity and the necessary paper trail for both parties.

Motorway Pay also handles the clearance of outstanding finance. Previously, dealers have had to settle any finance separately to the seller’s payment. With over 30% of privately owned cars on Finance or PCP plans, this is often an added layer of complexity in the buying process. Now this can all be completed in just one transaction, with Motorway handling the settlement statement confirmation, set-up and confirmation of payment to the finance company. 

The service is free to dealers buying through Motorway, and includes an assurance policy to provide security to dealers that all payments go to the right place.

Initially soft-launched at the end of January this year with a test group of dealers, over 1,000 payments with a total value of over £20m have already been transacted through Motorway Pay, and the company is now starting to roll out the service to all dealers. Participating dealers in the initial test group have reported big savings in admin and time, and a better overall experience for them and the sellers. 

Vlad Radu, Vehicle Procurement and Operations Manager at Carsa, said:

“I’ve used Motorway Pay for over 100 transactions so far and it’s been flawless! Payments are always instant, and sellers are reassured via email confirmation from Motorway. It saves a lot of time for dealers and transport companies. It used to take us about 15 mins per seller and now I’m doing it while on the phone with the driver.”

Over £2bn of purchases have been completed through Motorway in the past 12 months and volumes continue to increase rapidly, with their sales now exceeding 1,000 cars a day on average, including many sales of over 1,500 cars a day in the past few weeks. With this growing volume, making it easy for dealers to buy in bulk has been a major focus for the company. 

James Wilson, Chief Operating Officer at Motorway, said:

“Simplifying the payments process has been high on our dealers’ wishlist for some time, so we are delighted to be able to launch this industry-first solution with Motorway Pay. Removing the hassle involved with paying private sellers has been a hard problem to solve, but we’ve built a powerful, secure and robust solution that makes buying cars on Motorway in high volumes easier than ever before. 

“Having road-tested Motorway Pay in Q1 with a small group of dealers, it’s clear this is a real game changer and a genuine first for the industry. We’re including the service at no additional cost to our dealers – underlining our ongoing commitment to delivering maximum value through technology, and supporting our dealer partners to grow their businesses profitably.

“We’re really pleased that the first phase has been so successful and now look forward to rolling out Motorway Pay across our dealer network.”

Dealers wanting to start using Motorway Pay can apply today to begin the onboarding process, by completing the wait list form here

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.

ULEZ expansion to add £4,500 to the cost of London house moves for UK car owners

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.

Two thirds of Londoners concerned ULEZ expansion will hurt their personal finances

  • 45% of Londoners polled said they won’t be able to afford to pay the £12.50 to drive in London’s expanded Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ)
  • Only 25% of Londoners polled, are aware the expansion has been confirmed for August 2023 
  • The cost-of-living crisis means two thirds of motorists can’t afford to switch to an electric vehicle or compliant petrol car

Research commissioned by used-car marketplace Motorway has revealed that nearly one third (31%) of Londoners plan to sell their vehicle in the next six months because of costs associated with the confirmed ULEZ expansion alongside the rising cost of living. 

Londoners are growing increasingly concerned about the expansion, with two thirds (67%) admitting they are worried about how it will affect their personal finances. Two thirds (65%) of those surveyed won’t be able to afford to switch to an electric vehicle or compliant car, before the zone is expanded. 

With the current cost of living crisis, 30% of Londoners would be more likely to sell their vehicle in the next six months, with many more set to follow suit. When asked about the reasons for selling their petrol or diesel car, over one third (37%) 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 afford to make this switch.

What’s more, the data reveals that three quarters (75%) of those in the capital are unaware the planned ULEZ expansion for August 2023 has now been confirmed.

While many people are not aware of the changes to come, since the zone expansion was announced, Motorway saw a 150% increase in car owners checking their vehicle’s ULEZ compliance in one weekend alone.

Alex Buttle, co-founder of used-car marketplace Motorway, said: “With the current cost of living crisis and the confirmed extension of London’s ULEZ in August 2023, more drivers who use the zone are questioning their current car ownership and driving habits. With big changes on the horizon, for any car owners affected, they can check their car’s compliance with Motorway’s ULEZ checker – and if they need to sell, we can help them get a great price.”

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

To value and sell your car, visit motorway.co.uk.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

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

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.

Leading the charge: London and Nottingham revealed as top EV cities

Used-car marketplace Motorway has today announced the top 10 EV cities in the UK, with London and Nottingham coming out on top. It comes as EV sales continue to rise in the UK, with reports used EV sales grew 44.1% in Q3 2022*. 

The UK capital has been named as the city leading the charge on electric vehicle adoption, with EVs representing almost 25% of new and used car sales. It also paves the way with 8,600 public charging points. However, when it comes to charging availability, London ranks at 15, with the ratio of chargers to people standing at 1 to 1,672. Nottingham ranks second on the index, which was compiled by reviewing EV sales data by region, charging point availability and clean air policies of cities and towns across the UK.

With the 2030 electric switchover fast approaching, motorists are making a conscious effort with their car choices. Bedford ranked third for electric-vehicle readiness, following the development of its extensive net-zero strategy and its focus on installing public charging points. Meanwhile, Newcastle upon Tyne has been named as an electric vehicle hotspot with more electric cars sold in 2022 than anywhere else in the UK.

The top 10 electric car cities and towns revealed by Motorway:

  1. London
  2. Nottingham
  3. Bedford
  4. Manchester
  5. Newcastle upon Tyne
  6. Milton Keynes
  7. Bristol
  8. Oxford
  9. Coventry
  10. Southampton

As well as the climate-conscious benefits, there are several economic advantages to electric vehicles that Brits are capitalising on. Not only do they positively impact the environment, but lower running costs are likely one of the top draws to purchasing this fuel type, as motorists can save up to £650 on fuel and road tax** a year, compared to petrol and diesel cars. 

Alex Buttle, Co-Founder of online used-car marketplace Motorway said: “While I’m sure most car owners are considering making the transition to an EV at some point, there are several factors at play in the decision. One of those factors is whether or not you live in a city or town which has sufficient charging point infrastructure. We’ve created this comprehensive index to help car owners understand which areas and cities are truly leading the charge when it comes to EV-friendliness. As we look ahead to 2030, we’d love to see this list become more competitive, making it easier and more affordable than ever for car owners to make the switch.”

For an estimated valuation of your car, visit Motorway.co.uk.

And to read more about the EV cities leading the charge, visit https://motorway.co.uk/best-ev-cities 

*https://www.smmt.co.uk/2022/11/used-car-sales-q3-2022/ 

**Until 1st April 2025, when EVs  become liable for Vehicle Excise Duty, more commonly referred to as ‘road tax’. 

Motorway introduces new Car Value Tracker in market first

New online tool enables car owners to check and track the value of their car over time 

Motorway, the UK’s fastest-growing used car marketplace, has launched an online tool which allows car and van owners to track the value of their vehicle. 

The Car Value Tracker uses millions of vehicle value data points gathered by Motorway to generate an up-to-date valuation for any vehicle, along with 24 months of historic pricing. Motorists can also opt-in to receive monthly updates to track their vehicle’s value over time. 

This new tool, the first of its kind in the market, gives car owners the confidence needed to pinpoint the right time to sell, by tracking how their car depreciates and appreciates according to market trends. 

Previously, car depreciation almost always followed a downward trend but, over the past two years, the industry has experienced unprecedented changes. Global supply chain shortages, a slow down in new car production and a rapidly changing economy have resulted in used-cars holding their value at a better rate – and sometimes even going up in value. Due to these changes, it’s now more important than ever for car owners to track the value of vehicles. 

car valuation trends over time

How it works

Using advanced data science techniques, the Car Value Tracker leverages historic data from thousands of similar cars that have sold through the Motorway platform, and hundreds of thousands of bids from dealers, to model each individual car’s valuation history.  Car owners will be presented with an interactive graph showing their car’s value today and how it has depreciated – or appreciated – over the previous 24 months. If the car owner has valued their vehicle on Motorway in the past, those valuations are also included on the graph. 

Key features: 

  • A free, up-to-date valuation for any car or van
  • An interactive graph with 24 months of historic pricing data, showing how a vehicle’s value has changed over time
  • Opportunity to sign up for monthly email alerts, to keep up-to-date with the vehicle’s value 
  • Ability to value and track multiple vehicles (perfect for multi car households!)

Harry Jones, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Motorway said: “At Motorway, we connect car owners with our nationwide network of dealers, to help them get a great price for their car. The Car Value Tracker is an exciting innovation, leveraging our extensive data and automotive knowledge to help car owners keep tabs on the value of their vehicles over time, and make confident decisions about selling their car, when the time is right.”

car value tracker

To track the value of your car, visit motorway.co.uk/car-value-tracker.

Motorway doubles sales to £1.7bn in 2022

Motorway continues to scale and establish its position as go-to platform to transact online

Motorway, the UK’s fastest-growing used car marketplace, today announced accelerated business growth in 2022 as record numbers of customers turned to its platform to sell their car online.

Motorway saw its sales more than double year on year from £841m in 2021 to £1.7bn in 2022. This rapid growth demonstrates continued demand for Motorway’s service, which matches people selling their car with car dealers looking to acquire stock. By removing the middlemen and bringing the process online, the platform delivers a better deal for both sides, with a more efficient experience, driven by technology. 

Since the summer, Motorway has seen record numbers of cars going into its daily online sales, with volumes exceeding 1,000 vehicles a day.  A car now sells via Motorway every four minutes, with over 1m car owners using the site a month. As quality used car stock becomes harder than ever for dealerships to acquire, this has meant Motorway’s network of dealers has had a strong stream of quality privately-owned cars to choose from, through a powerful new online experience. The number of verified dealers in Motorway’s nationwide network now surpasses 5,000 across franchised and independent dealerships, up from 3,000 at the end of 2021.  

To support this rapid growth in 2022, the Motorway team has increased from 227 at the end of 2021 to more than 400 today.  The company has also maintained its service quality through this growth curve – retaining its ‘Excellent’ rating by Trustpilot with over 40,000 reviews. 

Tom Leathes, CEO of Motorway said:

“Our growth this year is testament to both the great team we have built and our commitment to providing a better way to transact for car owners and dealers. Selling a car has always been hard, but we’re creating a new set of expectations – a great deal with a seamless user experience where everyone in the transaction wins. 

“In a highly unpredictable market, our marketplace model means that even in rapidly-changing dynamics, we’re able to secure the best deal reliably for sellers and dealers, and at ever-increasing scale. Our customer-first approach has paid off – more people than ever before are now coming to Motorway to sell their cars, which means in turn we are able to offer more used car stock to our dealer network, and to continue growing efficiently. 

“We are delighted with the great results last year, but we won’t be resting on our laurels in 2023.  Our customers can expect to see even more innovation from us this year, as we deliver even better ways to improve the car-selling and car-buying experience.”

Motorway is anticipating continued rapid growth in both sales and revenue in 2023.  The company is on a strong path to profitability, and it has significant funding reserves to drive its onward growth and innovation.  Motorway completed a Series C investment round of over $190m in November 2021, from global technology investors including Index Ventures and ICONIQ Growth.

The company has announced the continued sponsorship of the Rugby Six Nations coverage on ITV starting in February, and recently announced the launch of its new ‘Car Value Tracker’ tool, enabling consumers to get regular alerts on the value of their vehicle over time, so they can decide the right time to sell.

Burgeoning ‘pre-loved’ economy worth £6.5 billion

The UK’s pre-loved economy is now worth an estimated £6.5bn, an increase of 48% since 2020, according to research carried out by Motorway and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). The report predicts that the flourishing pre-loved economy is set to grow further to £12.6bn in 2027; roughly double its value today. 

Spending on pre-loved items places £6.5bn additional income directly into the hands of UK households. This supports a further £6bn of consumer spending, leading to a £2.4bn contribution to UK GDP.

Two-thirds of Brits who bought pre-loved goods in the past year (66%) stated that saving money is a key reason behind their purchase of pre-loved goods, suggesting that cost-of-living concerns have prompted a shift in shoppers’ preferences. Four in 10 (42%) shoppers purchase pre-loved items to support a good cause, while a rise in environmentally conscious shoppers (36%) who believe in a more sustainable way to shop, has also contributed to the growing economy. 

Moreover, cost pressures are the main factor behind those selling pre-loved and used goods, while greater accessibility through the prevalence of online marketplaces is also a key factor – the percentage of second-hand goods sold via online marketplaces jumped from 57% in 2017 to 74% in 2022.

Interestingly, of those who say they’re likely to sell pre-loved goods, 16% attributed their willingness to do so to a ‘greater entrepreneurial mindset’. In fact, 68% of those polled who described themselves as entrepreneurial have sold pre-loved goods.

The regions of London, the South East, and the South West see the highest absolute expenditure on pre-loved goods, accounting for more than a third (37%) of the total pre-loved market in the UK.

The top pre-loved categories Brits spend their income on: 

  1. Books and stationery – 29% 
  2. Women’s clothing and accessories – 22% 
  3. Men’s clothing and accessories – 15% 
  4. Transport vehicles – 14% 
  5. Footwear – 13% 
  6. Furniture and furnishings – 13% 
  7. Physical games and toys – 10% 
  8. Glassware, tableware and household utensils – 10% 
  9. Tools and equipment for house and garden – 9% 
  10. TV, video and computers – 9% 


Eoghan Barry, Head of Strategy at Motorway said: “With the used-vehicle market making up a large portion of the pre-loved economy, we want to ensure sellers across the UK are getting a great price for their used cars. At Motorway, we work with a network of more than 5,000 verified dealers, who compete to give sellers their best price. So, while we’re fuelling the used-car market, providing high quality, used-car stock to our dealer partners, we’re also helping sellers get a great price for their cars. Now, more so than ever before, we know how important this will be for many living in the UK.”

Owen Good, Head of Economic Advisory at CEBR said: “Our analysis highlights the considerable contribution of the pre-loved market to the UK economy at £6.5 billion, with the total value of the market expected to double over the next five years, highlighting the traction pre-loved goods have gained amongst consumers. This is especially pertinent given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and severely dampened spending power of consumers, with our research finding that the value offered by the pre-loved market is a key driver of its growth over the last several years.”

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

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The research was carried out in October 2022 by Opinium and CEBR, based on a poll of 2,000 UK adults, and a bespoke modelling project that utilised weekly expenditure data from the Office for National Statistics’ Living Costs and Food Survey. The former provided data on the share of expenditure spent on pre-loved goods across a range of products and incorporating this data with the ONS’ weekly expenditure data enabled us to produce indicative estimates for the absolute spend on pre-loved goods for different products.

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.

The top 10 most in-demand used cars revealed

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:

YearMakeModelHighest Bid*
2015Fiat500 Vintage 57£5,605
2016MINICooper S Electric Level 3£30,300
2017BMWi3 Range Extender£18,669
2015BMW330D M Sport Auto£16,435
2020Porsche911 Turbo S£201,946
2015BMWi3 Range Extender£17,827
2019VolkswagenGolf GTI TCR S-A£26,392
2016VolkswagenGolf GTE NAV£17,149
2021HyundaiIoniq 5 Premium EV£44,227
2018MINICooper£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.

Conkers, potholes and pigeons…

Motorway.co.uk reveals the culprits causing unexpected vehicle damage this autumn

Brits have revealed the worst culprits when it comes to experiencing unexpected damage (damage outside of wear and tear or road incidents) to their cars, shows new research by Motorway.

Potholes came out top, with 55% experiencing pothole associated damage in the last year alone – set to increase following a record-breaking hot summer which will see UK roads contract this winter.

This was closely followed by pesky pigeon droppings wrecking paintwork (44%), debris on the road (40%), and stones impacting tyres (38%). Adverse weather conditions (22%) and low hanging branches (20%) showed nature isn’t always on the driver’s side when it comes to other top causes of unexpected damage. Other obscure answers came from shopping trolleys, acorns and conkers, and deer lost in the road. 

With a tough winter ahead, 80% of Brits are concerned about the cost of car maintenance, with over a fifth open to the idea of selling their vehicle. However, 65% are worried about how damage has affected the value of their car, with 70% seeking out at-home fixes to avoid forking out on repairs. 

Though it might be tempting to opt for a quick fix, Alex Buttle, co-founder of Motorway said of the findings: “When it comes to retaining the value of your car, it’s important to keep on top of regular maintenance and have repairs made as and when needed. While it can be frustrating to spend the money at the time, ultimately car owners will be maximising the future value of their car, which is always important when it’s time to sell.” 

Top 10 most common causes of unexpected vehicle damage:

1. Potholes (55%)

2. Bird excrement (44%)

3. Debris on the road (40%)

4. Stones in tyres (38%)

5. Adverse weather conditions (22%)

6. Low hanging trees (20%)

7. Sea salt (8%)

8. Sun damage such as bleaching upholstery (8%)

9. Conkers (7%)

10.  Chewing gum  (6%)

At Motorway, it’s quick and easy to value and sell your car today.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Research carried out in September 2022 by Censuswide with a sample of 2,000 British car owners aged 18+.

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.