Super mini car sales up

Latest used car sales statistics from Experian, the credit checking company, have revealed that sales of super minis, such as the Renault Clio and the Nissan Micra, overtook sales of small family (lower medium) cars, such as the Ford Focus or the Vauxhall Astra, during the first half of 2007, making it the most popular selling used car segment in the UK.

The lower medium segment has been the nation's favourite type of car since Experian first started collating the used car sales data in 1999. However, the gap between lower medium cars and super minis has been closing each year and during the first six months of 2007, sales of super minis reached 1,108,051 - 0.2% higher than sales of lower mediums.

The Ford Fiesta continues to be the UK's best selling used super mini and was also the best selling used car overall during the first half of the year, while the Vauxhall Astra topped lower medium car sales.

However, Experian's data shows that around 78% of all the cars classed as super minis that changed hands during the first half of the year were over three years old. And of course, the older the car, the more likely it is to have a hidden history that could affect the car buyer's decision to make a purchase. This can range from the smallest issue, such as whether the car's colour has been changed recently, to more serious matters such as whether the car is registered as stolen or has been written-off in an accident.

Car buyers can protect themselves by taking two simple steps - carrying out an AA Car Data Check and an AA Vehicle Inspection.

Ian Clark, Operations Director for AA Vehicle Inspections, added: "Car buyers need to exert caution when purchasing any car.

"Over 90% of all the seemingly OK cars that have been checked by AA Vehicle Inspections have needed essential or advisable repair work and we have advised our customers that they should either reconsider the purchase or make sure repairs are carried out before buying."

Clark adds that getting a car checked out should be vital part of the used car buying process. It is a small price to pay to be certain that the small fortune you are about to spend is worth it. Without carrying out a professional vehicle inspection, it might not be immediately obvious that the car you are interested in needs essential or advisable work.