How to reduce car depreciation

In the first three years of ownership, most vehicles lose between 50% and 60% of their value. The rate of depreciation is influenced by a number of factors such as running costs and the quality of the car.

What is car depreciation?

Depreciation is the gap between the price you paid for your vehicle and the price you receive when you sell or trade it in.

The first year of ownership is when most vehicles suffer the largest hit in terms of depreciation, and it progressively slows down after that. When you’re in your eighth year of ownership, depreciation usually comes to a halt. In the long run, selecting a car that depreciates slowly will save you more money.

Running costs affect depreciation

The fuel economy has a significant impact on depreciation, particularly since that petrol and diesel engines are becoming more costly year on year. Large vehicles, predictably, take the worst of the damage.

On the used market, big petrol-engined saloons might appear to be a great value, but only if you can pay the running costs. Smaller automobiles, such as tiny cars and city cars, are quite popular in the UK since their running expenses are significantly lower.

Car quality affects depreciation

It’s simple to find out how many warranty claims or recalls a vehicle has prompted, as well as what owners have said about dealers’ ability to resolve issues. All of this information, both positive and bad, will have an impact on the depreciation of a car model.

Reducing car depreciation

Once you understand the causes of car depreciation, you can begin to find ways to reduce the effects of car depreciation when you buy a car.

One way is to pick a popular car with minimal operating expenses, such as a city car or a supermini. They won’t suit everyone, so purchasers should consider other options to avoid falling residual values.

Keeping a detailed record of service and MOT certifications, maintaining a low mileage and keeping the vehicle in excellent condition will help prevent depreciation.

Buy your car for less to reduce depreciation

To avoid rapid depreciation, you can replace your car with one of our used cars at auction. It’s easy to sign up, and bidding can all be done online. You’ll have to pick up the car in person though!

How to tow a car

When your car has broken down, it’s good to know how to tow a car safely and legally. Knowing how to tow a car is essential for all motorists whether helping yourself or other people. Find out the tips and rules below.

Rules for towing

Whether you’re being towed or towing a broken down car, both parties must remember these important rules:

• A qualified driver must be in the vehicle that has broken down.
• You must place an ‘On Tow’ sign at the back of the towed vehicle.
• If it’s night-time, the broken down vehicle’s lights must be turned on, just as they would under regular conditions.
• If the two vehicles are connected only by a rope or chain, the maximum distance allowed between the vehicles is 4.5 metres.
• If the distance between the two vehicles is more than 1.5 metres, the rope or chain must be clearly visible within a reasonable distance from either side to other road users by attaching a colourful flatting fabric in the centre.

Tips for towing driver

For the towing driver, you must never exceed 15 mph. To avoid tugging on the tow line abruptly, which can cause it to break, use the clutch to slowly draw away and avoid any sudden braking. The towed driver may not respond quickly enough to stop so tap gently to alert the driver.

Indicate in plenty of time and prevent any sudden change of direction or excessive movements because the driver being pulled will find it difficult to steer and brake with you.

While towing, check your mirrors frequently to ensure everything appears to be okay. Keep a watch on your vehicle’s gauges, especially the temperature and oil pressure. If these abruptly change, there might be an issue so pull over as quickly as possible.

Tips for driver being towed

Before setting off, release the steering lock by making sure the ignition switch is ‘on’ to make it easier to steer the broken down vehicle.

Actively match the steering and braking with the towing vehicles at all times and keep some tension in the towrope or towing pole by applying light braking pressure to avoid jolting.

Maintain the same level of alertness as if you were driving, paying special attention to the towing car’s brake lights and indicators to get as much warning of what’s coming up.

Tired of your car breaking down?

Not to worry, replace your car with one of our used cars at auction. It’s easy to sign up and bidding can be done completely online. You’ll have to pick up the car in person, though

How to make your car live longer

We all want our cars to last as long as they can but sometimes their lifetime gets cut short. The average age of a scrapped vehicle is about 14 years, but the average age of on-the-road cars is closer to 8 years. So, below are a list of tips to help lower your running costs and keep your car on the road for many years.

Maintain the car’s battery

When you don’t drive your car for a long time, the battery deteriorates and goes flat. If your car is kept in a garage for an extended length of time, try using a trickle charger to keep the battery charged or a battery conditioner if it seems to be holding less charge than usual. If your battery does run flat, jump-starting your car puts excessive pressure on it and may harm the engine management system and other sensitive components, resulting in increased damage. You should aim to drive your car at least once a week, especially in the winter if you don’t have access to a trickle charger.

Change filters frequently

The oil filter and air filter in your car become clogged over time, so it’s critical to replace them on a regular basis. They should be replaced as part of a routine service, but because both are reasonably straightforward procedures, especially replacing the air filter, you might as well try it yourself and save money. It’s also possible to extend the life of the air filter by cleaning it. Cleaning and changing filters should be done according to the instructions in the car’s manual, and authentic parts should be used. Cheap, low-quality filters may cause long-term harm to your engine.

Use air conditioning regularly

Air conditioners lose refrigerant gas over time, especially if they aren’t utilised on a regular basis. You may save money by turning off your air conditioner, but you may wind up with a charge for air conditioning re-gassing instead. So it’s best to keep using your air conditioner regularly. This also means letting your vents blow cold occasionally in the winter too.

Is your car reaching the end of the road?

Not to worry, simply check out one of our used cars at auction. It’s easy to sign up, and bidding can all be done online. You’ll have to pick up the car in person though! Any other questions, get in contact with us.

How to avoid car breakdowns

It can be frustrating and costly when your car constantly breaks down. Oftentimes, breakdowns happen because of simple maintenance issues which could easily be avoided. Read the tips below to avoid future car breakdowns.

Flat car battery

If you have issues with starting your car, there may be a problem with the car battery. A car’s battery powers the starter motor, which then starts the engine and turns the alternator, which recharges the battery. Reasons car batteries go flat:

● A faulty component

● A fault with the battery

● An issue with the car’s charging system

● Using your car only for short journeys

● Leaving your car unused for a long time

● Old age Most car batteries have a guarantee of 3 – 5 years before failing. Make sure you replace your car battery after that otherwise you could run into some trouble.

Punctured tyres

Punctures in the tyres are often caused by a sharp object, but can also occur when the tyre hits a kerb or pothole, when the tyre’s valve fails or gets damaged or when the tyre and rim separate after a collision. Tyres can also be damaged by old age due to a worn tyre tread. To prevent a breakdown due to your tyres, you can do some simple checks:

● Check tyre tread and pressure regularly

● Get a tyre centre or garage to check the wheels are aligned correctly

● Adjust tyre pressure if you’re driving heavy loads

● Avoid driving over potholes or through puddles

Overheating

If your temperature warning light is on, there may be an issue with the engine or cooling system. If steam is coming from your engine or the temperature warning light is on, pull over to the nearest safe spot. To avoid your car overheating make sure you constantly check and top up your coolant and check your car’s cooling fan. If you notice the coolant level has dropped, check for leaks and visit a garage so they can solve the issue.

Had enough of breakdowns with your current car?

Not to worry, simply check out one of our used cars at auction. It’s easy to sign up, and bidding can all be done online.

You’ll have to pick up the car in person though! Any other questions, get in contact with us.

Why your car doesn’t start

Your car not starting is one of the quickest ways to ruin your day. You get behind the wheel, turn the key and nothing – we’ve all been there. Luckily, you can find out why your car doesn’t start and what to do to get back on the road again.

Stuck ignition lock

If you’re unable to turn the ignition key and the car won’t start, then the steering lock may be stuck. This happens when the front tyre on one side of the car is stuck hard against a kerb. To unlock it, simply move the steering wheel slightly from side to side while carefully turning the key back and forth until the lock unlocks. If you can’t move the wheel, step on the brake and gently remove the handbrake, allowing the vehicle to roll away from the curb, then reapply the handbrake and try again.

Broken starter motor

The starter motor is the electrical motor connected to your car’s battery that allows the engine to move when you turn the ignition. If the battery is charged and you hear a loud clicking noise when starting the engine, it could be a faulty starter motor or an electrical wiring fault. You will need a professional to have a look at this and fix it.

Blocked fuel filter

If you have a blocked fuel filter then your fuel can’t get to the engine which means that the engine can’t burn the fuel it needs to start. Your fuel filter should be changed every 15,000 miles to 20,000 miles. Make sure you get your filter changed when servicing your car.

Tired of your car not starting?

Not to worry, check out one of our used cars at auction. It’s easy to sign up, and bidding can all be done online. You’ll have to pick up the car in person though!

Any other questions, get in contact with us.