Analysis of the most popular makes and models searched for on the Auto Trader website reveals a great deal about customers buying habits. The fact that the ever popular trio of the Volkswagen Golf, the BMW 3-series and the Renault Clio reign supreme in the national search figures, shows that these three stalwarts have as much a hold on the second-hand car market as ever. In comparison with the same period in 2004, the Golf itself has risen one place to the number one spot. Its popularity inevitably has a great deal to do with its status as a universal ‘car for everyone’.
The Ford Focus once again has a strong showing in the most searched for makes and models, climbing four places from the same period of 2004 to number six nationally, climbing three, four and two places in the South London, South West and Yorkshire regions respectively.
The keywords used by visitors to autotrader.co.uk also reveal seasonal trends – as the summer months approach, more and more users are searching for convertables like the Mazda MX5, a trend backed up by their appearance at number five in the list of most searched for keywords.
According to the SMMT, more than a quarter of the 356,555 convertable models sold throughout Western Europe last year were sold in the UK. SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan commented: “In southern Europe the sun is just too oppressive for anything other than the roof-up with a blast of the air conditioning. “A sunny day in Scunthorpe on the other hand is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the best of top-down motoring. With so many models now available in all segments, there’s also more choice for everyone.”
Recent research, shows buyers looking to buy a car with a value of up to £5,000 are willing to travel the least distance, and represent the highest percentage of those buyers travelling up to 20 miles. At the other end of the spectrum the highest percentage of those buyers travelling nationally are looking to buy vehicles with a value of over £30,000.
Top 10 Covertables Jan – Apr 2005 (Registrations)
- Mini Convertable – 3,885
- Renault Megane Coupe-Covertable – 2,664
- Mercedes SLK – 2,580
- Audi A4 Cabriolet – 2,412
- Peugeot 206 cc – 2,391
- Peugeot 307 cc – 2.209
- Vauxhall Tigra – 2,119
- MG TF – 2,441
- BMW 3-Series Convertable – 2,066
- Mazda MX-5 – 1,840
Source: SMMT
The top 10 most searched for models on autotrader.co.uk during April 2005
- Volkswagen Golf – 1,350,883
- BMW 3-Series – 1,348,226
- Renault Clio – 656,138
- Vauxhall Corsa – 646,031
- Ford Fiesta – 622,718
- Ford Focus – 606,244
- Vauxhall Astra – 595,862
- Honda Civic – 526,094
- Peugeot 206 – 493,579
- Peugeot 306 – 465,368