With a selection of petrol and plug-in hybrid models, the unconventional Citroën C5 X is now available to order in the UK.
Launched as the new flagship model in the Citroën range, the French manufacturer describes the C5 X’s design as a blend between the characteristics of a luxury saloon, SUV and an estate car. It follows a similar design philosphy in the smaller Citroën C4.
Customers in the UK are now able to order from the C5 X range, which includes petrol and plug-in hybrid models (automatic only) across three trim levels, the first orders being expected to arrive on British roads in late Spring 2022.
Exterior design
The 2022 Citroën C5 X takes several front-end exterior styling cues from the C-Xperience concept car which made its debut at the 2016 Paris motor show, such as the narrow LED daytime running lights that are connected to the brand’s double chevron logo using a chrome finish, sitting above the teardrop-shaped main headlights.
From the side, creases feature on the bottom of the doors that match the indentations on the bonnet design, sitting above SUV-style bumper cladding.
This cladding continues to the rear of the car, where the LED taillights form a ‘V’ shape to mirror the styling in the front, and pointed spoilers frame the top and bottom of the rear window. All models come with 19-inch alloy wheels, and the mid-range ‘Shine’ trim adds chrome details to the rear bumper. Customers have a range of six exterior colours to choose from.
Interior styling and equipment
On the inside, the interior colour scheme is different for each trim level, and all models are fitted with Citroën’s ‘Advanced Comfort’ seats – essentially seats with extra padding. LED interior lighting is available with the ‘Shine’ trim, and electrically adjustable and heated front seats come with the range-topping ‘Shine Plus’ trim.
The C5 X also comes with ‘Advanced Comfort’ suspension, which improves ride comfort when driving on uneven terrain. Front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are also available as standard, while blind spot monitoring, a heated steering wheel, tinted sound-insulated windows, and a motorised boot lid feature on more expensive models.
The Citroën C5 X comes with a ten-inch infotainment system as standard, which is upgraded to a 12-inch screen for the ‘Shine’ trim and up. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satnav are included on the entry-level ‘Sense Plus’ trim, while wireless smartphone charging and a heads-up display behind the steering wheel are available with the ‘Shine’ trim.
Engine range
Customers can opt for a combustion-powered Citroën C5 X, choosing between two petrol engines, or opt for the plug-in hybrid variant. All models are fitted with an automatic gearbox.
If you’d prefer a petrol version of the C5 X, you can select either a 130hp 1.2-litre or a 180hp 1.6-litre unit, the latter reserved for the ‘Shine’ and ‘Shine Plus’ trim levels.
The 225hp plug-in hybrid is the most powerful option in the range, as well as the most expensive. Fitted with a 12.4kWh battery, The C5 X PHEV can manage up to 34 miles running on electric power, and also features a driving mode selector (Electric mode, Hybrid mode and Sport mode) and adjustable regenerative braking.
Trim level features
Entry-level ‘Sense Plus’ (£26,490)
Ten-inch infotainment console
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Citroën’s 3D navigation software
LED headlights
Citroën’s ‘Advanced Comfort’ seats
19-inch alloy wheels
Reversing camera
Front and rear parking sensors
‘Urban Grey’ interior colour scheme
Mid-range ‘Shine’ (£27,990)
All ‘Sense Plus’ features that are not replaced
12-inch infotainment console
Heated steering wheel
LED interior lighting
Wireless smartphone charging
Chrome finish on rear bumper
A head-up display
Radar-controlled Active Safety Brake
‘Metropolitan Grey’ interior colour scheme
Range-topping ‘Shine Plus’ (£29,980)
All ‘Sense Plus’ and ‘Shine’ features that are not replaced
Jeep has announced mild ‘e-Hybrid’ (MHEV) models for its Renegade and Compass SUVs, adding to the existing range which already includes plug-in hybrid models (PHEV).
The new mild-hybrid variants of the Jeep Renegade and Compass both use the same powertrain setup – a 130hp four-cylinder 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with 15kWh electric motor. Both new models use the same seven-speed automatic transmission.
Jeep says that this ‘e-Hybrid’ powertrain delivers up to 15% lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions than the previous petrol versions of the Renegade and Compass, as the electric motor can power the engine when setting off, parking, cruising, and driving at low speeds.
These mild hybrids also have regenerative braking to help charge the electric motor, and an ‘e-Boosting’ feature that uses the motor to send extra torque to the petrol engine, resulting in punchier acceleration.
2022 Jeep Renegade e-Hybrid
2022 Jeep Compass e-Hybrid
The new Jeep Renegade e-Hybrid and Compass e-Hybrid are now available to order in the UK, as is a new special edition trim for both SUVs called the ‘Upland’, which Jeep says features sustainable material and components from recycled plastics.
Prices for the Renegade and Compass e-Hybrid models start at £31,130 and £32,895 respectively, with the first orders expected to arrive on British roads in March 2022.
The Jeep Renegade has received a mediocre reception since it first arrived in the UK in 2015, currently languishing towards the bottom of the small SUV class in our industry-leading Expert Ratings Index, with an Expert Rating of 49%. The Jeep Compass range has not fared much better, currently holding an Expert Rating of 52%.
The growth of online car buying services might make you think visiting a dealer to trade in your old car against a new one is too much hassle.
Not true. With a little preparation part exchange can be straightforward, even enjoyable.
Value first
The first step to part exchange is having your own idea of what your car is worth. Many dealer websites offer an online part exchange valuation in return for your contact details.
However, the data used to compile the valuations will be from a trade and consumer supplier and that same data is used for the independent valuations supplied by used car guides and sites such as Parkers and Auto Trader, combined with their own sold prices. Both offer online valuation tools.
You can get a free valuation, or you can pay to sign up for a month for more precise valuations on multiple cars – usually about £10. Paid valuations allow you to enter your car’s exact mileage and any options which add value.
A low mileage still increases value. You’ll need to go back and check your car’s price nearer the time you visit a dealer and you can also get prices for the cars you are going to see.
If your car is near its MOT test it’s a good idea to put it through to pass before you part exchange. This adds value because the dealer knows there is no remedial work to be done.
Also, if you are due to pay your annual road tax as you are part exchanging, just buy six months. Road tax is cancelled when a car is sold, you get a refund for any whole unused months and the new owner starts again.
Get an online offer first
Before you head to the dealership to present them with your car, take a few moments and get a free valuation (or two) from online buying services. This will give you a starting point for any discussions with the salesperson down at the dealership, and if they can’t match your online price, you don’t have to part-exchange the car at all.
The three companies below are all commercial partners of The Car Expert, but there are other companies around who can offer you a similar service.
Make sure you have the vehicle registration document (the V5C) to prove your ownership of the car, then the MOT certificate and any advisory notes.
That said, if you can’t find the MOT certificate anybody can check if a car has one for free by putting the registration into the GOV.UK website.
To show the car has been cared for, stamps in a service book are ideal but physical service books are less common than they were, as franchised dealers keep digital records which their whole network can access. So, for example if you have your Ford serviced at a Ford dealer, any other Ford dealer will be able to look this up.
Should I clean it?
Absolutely, inside and out.
In fact, consider a full valet near to then time you’re going shopping. If you pitch up at a dealership in a car covered in mud, sticky fingerprints or dog hairs the dealer will assume the car has not been cared for, won’t be able to assess any minor bodywork scuffs and scrapes and will mark its value down straightaway.
The time of a full valet and any major remedial action will have to be taken into account. Also, top up the windscreen washer fluid, check the tyres are good (and legal) and don’t turn up with any warning lights showing. Make sure all your exterior lights are working and replace any blown bulbs – it’s illegal anyway.
What about dents and scratches?
There are companies which can make good small scratches, smarten scuffed alloy wheels and remove small dents (minor enough to be pulled out without needing new paintwork). If it’s not too much trouble you can get a quote before you visit any forecourts, then you can decide how much you’re prepared to pay to get your car shipshape.
However, if we are only talking about minor parking rub marks, paint restoration kits available on certain well-known shopping sites are easy to use and work quite well.
If there are small scratches, these won’t come out at home but the dealership won’t be much concerned as their bodyshop will be able to quickly sort this far cheaper than if you had paid for it.
To the dealer, even if they may want to sell the car you are looking at quickly, they will also want to either sell your car on equally quickly or pass it on to a reseller (for example Cazoo).
The least work involved in preparing it equals less of their profit margin. It really does pay to present your part exchange well. That said, Cazoo leaves minor paint marks intact and include photos in each listing.
It’s worth remembering that even if you use one of the well-publicised car buying services which first give you an online value based on your description, you may still have to take it to a physical location to hand it over, at which point the staff may attempt to reduce the price if they decide you have not described the car accurately online.
Part exchange day
Having booked to see a car and test drive it at a dealership you can assume that as soon as you’ve pulled up and are off with a cup of coffee, an employee will zip over your car to look it over and give you a part exchange value on the spot
This is why you must get a value before you arrive (and print it out). It will help you know if the part exchange price is well out of line. That said, don’t get stressed if the offer is, say a few hundred pounds off.
The money can come off either end. Depending on the amount of profit the dealer has allowed in the asking price and if you are happy to negotiate, the asking price can come down or the part exchange value can go up. Your car’s value can also be influenced on how many of that type of car the dealer chain has at that time or how quickly yours can be sold on with very little preparation.
They key here is what is your cost to change? For example, you are keen on a £15,000 used car and your part exchange is valued at £8,000 by the dealer, even though you believe it is worth £9,000. Your cost to change is now £7,000, so can you move against the £6,000 you might have been expecting?
If your cost to change is fixed and neither the asking price will come down or the part exchange come up, then you’ll have to walk away. If you’re buying a new car then you can negotiate on the finance, ask for a service plan to be thrown in, or optional extras.
Don’t be put off. With some planning part exchange can be fair and even a pleasant experience. One last tip; if you are not handing over your car on the same day as you collect your next one, try not to rack up the mileage in between. Values are usually guaranteed for seven days.
* The Car Expert has commercial partnerships with Cazoo, Exchange My Car and Motorway. If you sell your car to any of these companies, we may receive a small commission.
With the rapid growth of new electric car sales, it’s not surprising that demand for used EVs is also increasing. This is reflected in data from used car dealers about the fastest-selling cars on their forecourts in the last year.
A report published by automotive marketplace Auto Trader crowns the previous-generation Nissan Leaf as the fastest-selling used car in the UK during 2021, taking just 17 days on average to sell once it had arrived on a used car forecourt.
This is the second time that an electric car has been Auto Trader‘s fastest-selling used car, after the Renault Zoe finished in top spot in 2019. In the most recent rankings, the Zoe finished in 7th place, while two Toyota petrol-hybrids also made the top ten – the Prius and Yaris.
Diesel cars make up the rest of the top ten, with the majority of 2021’s fastest-selling used cars being automatic models.
2021’s fastest-selling used cars
Rank
Model
Fuel & Transmission
Predicted Days to Sell
1
2016 Nissan Leaf
Electric – Automatic
17
2
2016 Toyota Prius
Petrol Hybrid – Automatic
19
3
2016 Mazda CX-5
Diesel – Manual
19
4
2016 Peugeot 3008
Diesel – Automatic
19
5
2016 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
Diesel – Automatic
20
6
2016 Toyota Yaris
Petrol Hybrid – Automatic
20
7
2018 Renault Zoe
Electric – Automatic
20
8
2016 Peugeot 308
Diesel – Manual
21
9
2016 Nissan Qashqai
Diesel – Automatic
21
10
2016 Ford Grand C-Max
Diesel – Manual
21
Source: Auto Trader
These rankings are based on Auto Trader‘s own ‘Fastest Selling Index’, which tracks the potential speed at which vehicles will sell based on live supply and demand in the market.
All of the automotive marketplaces tend to report on this data every month, but that is heavily influenced by specific stock and registration movements by manufacturers, which tends to turn up some very unusual results. Over a full year, however, the data becomes more relevant.
Interestingly, the top three places on the list comprise an electric car, a hybrid car and a diesel SUV. All but one of the models listed are 2016-registered vehicles, suggesting that five-year-old cars are a bit of a sweet spot for used car buyers.
Nissan Leaf (2010 – 2016)
Toyota Prius (2016 onwards)
Mazda CX-5 (2012 – 2017)
An all-electric model takes top spot – proof EV demand is really high?
Auto Trader reports that at the start of 2021, a used electric car took 44 days on average to sell once it was bought by a car dealership. No doubt aided by the fuel shortages that hit the UK towards the end of the year, this average dropped to just 26 days by the end of the year.
By comparison, it took an average of 30 days for a diesel car to sell once it arrived on the forecourt, and 34 days for petrol models.
Auto Trader also reports that searches for electric models on its website rose by 74% in 2021, with the most viewed EVs being the Ford Mustang Mach-e, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and the Volkswagen ID.3.
The BMW M3 Competition is a high-performance saloon (and now estate) based on the regular 3 Series range. It is the latest in a long line of performance 3 Serires models that dates back to the mid-1980s.
Now in its sixth generation, the BMW M3 had been only produced as a four-door saloon since 2014, coupé and convertible variants being rebranded as the BMW M4. However, an estate version (the BMW M3 Touring) joined the range for the first time in 2022.
In the UK, we only get the M3 Competition model, which is powered by a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo, six-cylinder petrol engine that produces 510hp and drives through an eight-speed automatic transmission. While previous generations were always only offered in BMW’s traditional rear-wheel-drive format, the latest M3 is also available in an all-wheel drive configuration (called ‘xDrive’ in BMW jargon).
The M3 has had a very positive reception from the UK motoring media since its arrival at the start of 2021, with all of the reviews we track commending the saloon for its impressive performance despite this latest generation being heavier and bulkier than its predecessors.
Auto Trader concludes that the saloon’s blend of performance and practicality makes it the most appealing M3 iteration to date, while Carwow sums up its review by calling the M3 “nothing short of sensational to drive”.
Beyond the polarising grille designs that BMW is rolling out across its entire ‘M’ range, there have been very few criticisms of the M3 beyond the expected quibbles over price, and that ride comfort is compromised in pursuit of handling – which any prospective customer is likely to expect anyway.
Nevertheless, most reviewers would recommend the BMW M3 over any other performance saloon in its class, including the Mercedes-AMG C63 and Audi RS 4. Only the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is generally considered to be on par with the M3 saloon.
As of December 2024, the BMW M3 holds a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 65%. Notwithstanding its excellent media reviews and decent safety score, the M3 is hampered by its poor scores for reliability and running costs.
Body style: Four-door saloon and estate Engines: petrol Price: From £75,660 on-road
Launched: Spring 2021 Last updated: Summer 2021 Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
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Model reviewed: CS (2023) Score: 9 / 10 “The BMW M3 CS treatment squeezes even more performance out of the mighty BMW M3, but its six-figure price is a bit difficult to stomach.” (Steve Fowler) Read review
Model reviewed: M3 Touring Score: 9 / 10 “The BMW M3 Touring drives every bit as well as the saloon, which makes it one hell of a high-performance family car.” Author: Jordan Katsianis Read review
Score: 9 / 10 “More rounded, more versatile but still able to deliver the thunderous performance M cars are famous for, the new BMW M3 hits the mark.” Read review
Auto Trader
+
Score: 9 / 10 “The BMW M3’s combination of sports car chasing performance and saloon car practicality is as appealing as ever.” Read review
Car
+
Model reviewed: M3 Touring Score: 8 / 10 “The new 2023 BMW M3 Touring Competition confidently, effortlessly saunters in and settles down at the head of the estate car class. The Audi RS 4 Avant, as appealing as it is, does not have the steering or brakes to live with the M3 Touring.” (Keith Adams) Read review
Car Keys
+
Model reviewed: Touring (2023) Score: 10 / 10 “Living up to expectations is always a difficult thing, but BMW has managed just that with its M3 Touring. It’s every bit as good as we hoped, with its blend of practicality and performance and able to open up this BMW M model to a wider audience.” Read review
Score: 10 / 10 “BMW has managed to ensure the M3 remains just as exciting and focused as ever, yet while also taming it down in the process and making it a lot more manageable.” Read review
Carbuyer
+
Model reviewed: Score: 8.2 / 10 “The BMW M3 is still one of the very best sports saloons and now there’s a Touring estate version too.” (Andy Goodwin) Read review
Carwow
+
Score: 9 / 10 “The new BMW M3 is nothing short of sensational to drive.” Read review
Evo
+
Model reviewed: Score: 9 / 10 “It’s bigger and heavier than before, and is now auto-only. So can it copy the new M4’s trick of still being fun to drive? You bet it can.” Read review
Motoring Research
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Model reviewed: M3 Touring Score: 9 / 10 “Despite a few flaws, the BMW M3 Touring makes a strong case for being the ultimate family wagon. Its price precludes it from being a car I could regularly recommend, and besides, nobody really *needs* a car like this. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting one.” Author: Tim Pitt Read review
Parkers
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Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “Devastatingly adept super saloon is flawed and brilliant” Read review
The Sunday Times
+
Score: 10 / 10 “A flat out winner — get the BMW M3 while you can.” Read review
Top Gear
+
Model reviewed: Competition Score: 9 / 10 “No other sports or super-saloon is as capable, grippy, tied down, responsive or communicative on a difficult road as a BMW M3 Competition.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
The BMW M3 Competition shares its safety rating with the mainstream BMW 3 Series saloon, which was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2019 and awarded a five-star rating.
The M3 comes with a number of safety features as standard, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of December 2024, the BMW M3 has not been tested by Green NCAP. We’re not expecting it to be tested anytime soon.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the BMW M3 has received
As before, three electrified powertrains will be on offer for the new Niro – hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and full battery-electric (BEV). Details of the PHEV and BEV units are still to be revealed but the hybrid combines Kia’s 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 141hp.
The engine is mated as standard to Kia’s six-speed automatic transmission. European fuel economy figures are yet to be revealed but under Korean testing conditions the car is said to achieve just over 59mpg.
New technology will also debut with the Niro, using the built-in satnav system to determine the most appropriate times for the drivetrain to switch between petrol and electric propulsion. It could, for example, only use the electric motor when close to schools or hospitals. The PHEV model will use the same system.
The Mk2 Niro is fractionally larger than its predecessor – 6cm longer, 2cm wider and 1cm taller. Boot space grows slightly as well, by 15 litres to 451 litres, achieved by moving the 12-volt hybrid battery from the boot to under the rear seats next to its high-voltage equivalent.
A totally redesigned interior includes a new ten-inch panoramic display panel that incorporates both the driver’s instrument cluster and the infotainment screen. Kia is also emphasising its commitment to sustainability – recycled materials inside the cabin include headlining made from recycled wallpaper, seats made from a material including eucalyptus leaves, and lead-free paint is used on the door panels.
The current Kia Niro family has received varying reviews from the motoring media. The electric e-Niro is one of the top-rated electric cars on sale, with an Expert Rating of 84%. It was also the UK’s second best-selling electric vehicle in 2021. However, the regular Niro hybrid and plug-in model fare more poorly, with an Expert Rating of only 62% that puts the Niro firmly in the bottom half of the small SUV segment.
Car warranties are not cheap to buy but, as we have said before here at The Car Expert, they are a ‘good to have’ if you’re running a reasonably new, average mileage and still valuable car that you want to keep on the road and in good condition.
Like any insurance policy, they offer peace of mind and a safety cushion to fall back on if something goes wrong with your car and you find yourself stranded and faced with a repair bill.
The difference with an extended warranty or an independent provider policy – compared with regular car insurance, or insurance on your home – is that you’re not obliged to buy it.
The law insists that you have at least third-party cover if you want to drive a car on the public road, while your bank or finance company will usually insist on fully comprehensive car insurance for any finance agreement.
But used car warranties aren’t like that. Just like roadside assistance or recovery contracts, it’s personal choice whether you want to buy one or not. And, when all the facts are considered, pondered and contemplated, it all boils down to this: is it worth it? Or, put another way; will my warranty save me money?
How likely are you to claim on the warranty?
It’s normal that you wouldn’t expect to have a major repair costs on your car every year. So most years that you’re paying for a car warranty, you probably won’t have to claim on it. That’s no different to your home insurance, car insurance, health insurance and so on.
But as a car gets older and the mileage keeps increasing, the chances of a major part breaking get ever higher. Sooner or later, you’re likely to be facing a large bill.
The value question then becomes one of judging how likely you are to have an expensive repair at some point compared to the cost of paying for a warranty each year.
If your car suffers a catastrophic problem that requires a lot of new parts and several hours of expensive labour time to fix, then chances are it will be a lot more expensive than a lifetime of warranty payments. If you car never breaks, then obviously you’re losing money by paying for a warranty that you never claim on.
Beyond whether you’re saving money with a warranty, most car owners find that it gives them peace of mind to know that at least some major expenses will be covered if their car breaks down. If you own your car long enough, it’s really more of a gamble not to have a warranty.
Costs and other options
Warranty quotes vary greatly depending on the make and model of your car, its age, mileage, the level of excess you are prepared to pay and other factors. A warranty will usually cost between £150 and £600 a year.
A full service on your car will cost less than that – perhaps £150-£250 depending on the car – and it should weed out many potential problems that could be looming in the future. So in that respect, saving money for the service might be a better bet.
Putting money aside of your own in case you need some repair work is another choice. Rather like having your own ‘warranty policy’. But there are still no ‘savings’.
For most drivers the peace of mind comes from the fact that the warranty is there to provide the repair funds, even if they’re relatively small, just when you need them. You can guarantee your car is going to break down or fail to start at the most expensive time of the month for you – maybe when you don’t really have the funds to cover a garage repair bill, and that warranty policy can suddenly become your saviour.
Is a warranty likely to save you money?
If you have read the small print before you bought it, and are confident that the part that has failed on your car is covered under the terms of the agreement, you can happily contact the provider’s claims department and arrange to have the problem fixed. That’s what warranties are about: convenience, speed, confidence, calmness. But they’re not necessarily a saving.
A ‘saving’ from inconvenience, worry and a potential shortfall in your already tight monthly budget, is what a warranty provides you.
And no money in the world can buy that. Can it?
Here at The Car Expert, we have some fantastic warranty offers for our readers provided by our commercial partners. If you’re interested in a used car warranty, you should check these out:
ALA Insurance provides used car warranties in conjunction with the RAC
MotorEasy offers warranties and many other types of cover for car owners
Warrantywise is a long-established and multi-award-winning warranty provider
Hampered by supply shortages and Covid-19, these are uncertain times for the car industry. However, one constant has been the continued growth of electrification, including surging sales of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles.
As a middle ground between traditional combustion power and fully electric vehicles, sales of plug-in hybrids grew by more than 70% in the UK last year with more than 114,000 sold in total. That said, petrol power is still king, with over three quarters of a million petrol cars sold throughout 2021.
If you are in the market for a plug-in hybrid, you will no doubt be spoilt for choice, with budget, mainstream and premium brands consistently adding these contestably eco-friendly models to their line-ups.
Whether you are looking to take advantage of lower tax rates, intrigued by the idea of battery-powered driving, or feeling concerned with your carbon footprint, the top ten best-selling PHEVs listed below come in all shapes and sizes, from small hatchbacks to large SUVs.
The ten best-selling plug-in hybrid cars of 2021
1. BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series topped the PHEV sales charts with nearly 11,000 UK registrations in 2021. Available in either saloon or estate form, the 3 Series is widely regarded as one of the best medium-sized cars you can buy at the moment, highlighted for its interior quality and driving experience.
The BMW 3 Series currently holds an Expert Rating of 85% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index, which is also the highest-rated plug-in hybrid in the top ten.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class was one of the UK’s best-selling new cars in 2021, finishing fourth in the sales charts. The plug-in hybrid version accounted for 21% of A-Class sales, a percentage which is growing over time.
Praised for its build quality, infotainment and interior, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class currently holds an Expert Rating of 69% on our unique Expert Rating Index.
Another consistent sales performer, the Volvo XC40 has made several appearances in the monthly best-seller rankings. The plug-in hybrid version of the XC40 arrived in 2020, boasting lower tax rates and lower running costs than the regular petrol versions.
The Volvo XC40 range currently holds an Expert Rating of 79% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index, with consistent praise for its build quality and safety features.
The Ford Kuga may have fallen out of the top ten best-sellers list overall, but the plug-in hybrid version remains highly pooular, recording more than 6,000 PHEV registrations in 2021.
With a current Expert Rating of 72% on our Expert Rating Index, the Kuga has received praise for its spacious interior and affordability, but overall, reviewers comment that the SUV provides an unconvincing driving experience.
The plug-in hybrid version of the Audi A3 only arrived in the second half of 2021 – a fact that makes the A3’s fifth place finish in the PHEV annual sales rankings all the more impressive.
Inheriting advanced on-board tech from its more expensive siblings, the A3 range has received a largely positive reception since its 2020 arrival, and currently holds an Expert Rating of 71% on our Expert Rating Index.
The first of two Land Rover SUVs to appear in these rankings, the plug-in hybrid version of the Range Rover Evoque sold well in 2021, with over 4,500 new models registered throughout the year.
Praised by the media for its comfortable ride and off-road ability, the Range Rover Evoque currently holds an Expert Rating of 75% on our Expert Rating Index.
Praised for its strong performance paired with low running costs, more than 3,700 plug-in hybrid BMW X5s were sold last year. Reviewers commonly agreed that this SUV is one of the best plug-in hybrids you will find on the new car market.
The BMW X5 currently holds an Expert Rating of 77%, meaning that it is the highest-ranked SUV within BMW’s ‘X’ sub-division in our industry-leading Expert Rating Index.
The XC40’s bigger brother, the Volvo XC60 is another example of the Swedish brand successfully electrifying every model in its range. The SUV was crowned World Car of the Year in 2018, and PHEV versions of the XC60 arrived in 2020.
Commended for its interior comfort and safety features, the Volvo XC60 currently holds an Expert Rating of 76% on our Expert Rating Index.
It may be the oldest car in the top ten – the Range Rover Sport in its current iteration has been available since 2013 – but the plug-in hybrid version achieved just short of 3,000 registrations in 2021.
The Range Rover Sport has received a largely positive set of reviews over its tenure, and currently holds an Expert Rating of 73% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index.
The SEAT Leon plug-in hybrid arrived in 2020, and it has largely become the UK media’s favorite variant in the Leon range, consistently described as an “affordable all-rounder” with very low tax rates.
The SEAT Leon range currently holds an Expert Rating of 71% on our Expert Rating Index, a score that positions the hatchback in the top half of a very competitive medium-sized car market.
With demand for used cars continually rising, it’s important that drivers ask all the right questions before they commit to a vehicle purchase.
All the obvious questions that come to mind will cover service history, checking for damage to the car, the quality of the tyres, and how long the warranty is. There’s one more area that consumers should keep in mind: to check if a car has been recalled before you buy it.
What does it mean if a car has been recalled?
Every year, thousands of cars are recalled in the UK for a range of safety issues. When the car manufacturer or the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) discover a potential safety issue with a specific component on a vehicle, they will issue a recall for repairs.
Recalls in recent times have happened due to more serious issues including the Ford Puma’s defective airbags, the Vauxhall Corsa’s potential fire risks, and Jaguar Land Rover’s 2019 recall over high, inaccurate CO2 emissions. In some cases, recalls can be down to minor technical issues such as faulty windscreen wipers.
If you receive a recall notice, rest assured that any repair work is carried out for free.
By law, the driver is responsible for making sure that their car is roadworthy. Therefore ignoring a recall could get you in trouble with authorities, and it may even affect any claims you make through your car insurance. Especially if a collision is found to be caused by the fault for which you received a recall notice and failed to comply with.
Furthermore, your car’s value may drastically reduce when you want to sell it on.
Why should I check if a car has been recalled?
When purchasing a used car, it’s advised to do a search and check if the car you want to buy has been the subject of a recall. This is because 10% of cars that have been recalled may not have had the required repairs to fix the problem.
This could be due to a previous owner failing to follow up on the recall notice or it could be due to a lack of record updates by the car manufacturer, dealership, or the government, which means that the owner wasn’t notified of the recall.
It’s fairly simple to do a quick search and check on a used car to see if it has been issued a recall notice. Below we show you how to check if a car has been recalled before you buy it, in just a few clicks.
How to check if a car has been recalled
Simply visit the DVSA website and check any car make and model for registered recall notices. You can search by registration number or by vehicle make and model.
The result will show you if the car has a clean bill of health, displaying the message “No outstanding safety recalls found” – or that the vehicle is subject to certain recalls for repairs that are still pending.
This is also the page that will display the vehicle’s MOT history.
If the recall only applied to a small number of cars, you can contact the dealership or the manufacturer’s customer services to find out what recall repairs were carried out on the car you want to buy.
Who carries out recall repairs?
If a vehicle is issued a recall notice, the repair work is carried out by any of the manufacturer’s franchised dealerships for free. Therefore, if you do find that the used vehicle you want to purchase hasn’t had any recall repairs completed, you can still arrange for this to be done with the vehicle manufacturer.
How long does a recall repair take?
This all depends on the issue that needs to be fixed. Sometimes a recall repair just means a small tweak and that may be a matter of minutes. Other times, it may take a day or two.
The manufacturer’s dealership will have the necessary information and experienced garages. They will advise you accordingly and make arrangements for the repair, which will include the use of a courtesy car if required.
Get a second opinion and check the Motor Ombudsman
Alongside the Government website check, it may be useful to seek another option via the Motor Ombudsman’s Vehicle Recalls tab. Here, you can also enter the car’s VIN (vehicle identification number) which will provide an even more focused search of the vehicle’s existing records and the ability to link back to the manufacturer’s search tools as well.
Get in touch with Hippo Leasing if you want to discuss financing on a new or used car, or visit their website for more information.
New car diesel sales are in freefall, older diesels are banned from some city centres and the electric car is making serious inroads into the marketplace. If you own a diesel car now, should you get sell it now or stick with it? It depends, is the short answer.
Diesel drivers know the benefits, primarily a far larger range than petrol (and certainly electric cars) because of much better fuel economy. If you drive a lot of motorway miles, diesels still make sense, and because of their better pulling power are best if you need to tow caravans or trailers. In the UK, the price difference between a litre of diesel and petrol remains small.
City centre charging and Euro 6
Extras charges may make you sell your diesel car. If you have to park on a city street in a residents’ parking bay, you may already know that it costs more for an annual diesel parking permit than petrol, hybrid or electric.
More importantly, if you live in a UK city which has a clean air zone (or is planning to introduce one), this may mean the diesel goes. You also may want to factor this in if you are moving home to a new city.
Because of demanding emissions legislation and in the wake of the emissions scandals, where manufacturers like Volkswagen cheated the results of tests, the emissions of the very newest diesel cars are as clean as petrol engines thanks to complicated pollution-control systems. However, if you have a diesel built before September 2015 then it will already be posing a problem if you must drive in and out of some UK city centres.
Before September 2015, the emissions regulation which diesel cars had to conform to was called Euro 5. It was then replaced by the much more demanding Euro 6 standard, which have been toughened several times in the last few years (Euro 6d came into effect in January 2021). You can find out to which category your car belongs by looking on its registration document.
You can also put your registration plate (or for that matter any other) into the government’s clean air zone checker. For now, if you have a Euro 6 diesel you can keep calm and carry on.
London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) came into force in October 2021 and covers the largest area of any UK city. Any pre-Euro 6 diesel car, van or minibus must pay £12.50 a day to drive inside the zone.
Bath, Birmingham and Portsmouth now have clean air zones and Bradford, Greater Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle all plan to introduce them in 2022. However, for these cities private cars are currently exempt. An up-to date English cities list can be found here.
On the other hand, a pilot scheme starting in a small part of Oxford city centre in 2022 will charge Euro 6 diesel drivers £4, and £8 from 2025. Bristol plans a small city centre zone pilot this summer and will charge non-Euro 6 diesels £8 a day.
Outside of England, Cardiff has decided not to have a clean air zone charge for now and low emission zones are planned for Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow in 2022.
But is now a good time to sell?
For all the previous reasons, or because you feel that it’s the right thing to do for the environment, you may want to sell your diesel car now. Surprisingly, the values of used diesel cars are holding up as well as petrol (as of early 2022), caused by long delivery times for new cars.
According to Richard Walker, Auto Trader’s director of data and insights, the increase in used cars values is set to continue through 2022, including diesels.
He says: “We are seeing the biggest increases among 3–5-year-old used diesel vehicles (up by 32% year on year). Even though the price increase is lower for older diesel vehicles, with the prices of diesel cars aged 10 – 15 years up 19% and diesel cars older than 15 years reporting an increase of 18%, all age groups continue to see significant surges in price.”
Having saved money during the pandemic, a growing number of used car buyers are treating themselves to a prestige SUV from the likesof BMW, Mercedes, Audi or JaguarLand Rover. They have little choice but to buy a diesel version because over the last few years they have dominated the mix of such manufacturers.
If you do decide to sell and you live in a clean air zone, we would advise against selling privately locally but trying one of the national buying services such as our partner Motorway, which offers cars to dealers across the country to bid for the best offer. There are still keen buyers for diesel cars who never drive into city centres.
What if I want to keep my diesel?
If your diesel car is on a personal contract purchase (PCP) deal, you can’t sell it (it still belongs to the manufacturer) but when the end of the agreement is reached you can choose whether to pay off the final (balloon) value or return it. If its final value is now lower than the market value you could pay it off then sell it, but the simplest option is to give it back. Then if you really want a new diesel, consider leasing one.
If you own your Euro 6 diesel and it’s, say, a year old, you aren’t currently subject to city centre charges and can park off-road, consider keeping it long-term. Especially if you just like it and just don’t want to sell. Even though there is currently a blip in the used car market with rising values, selling on any car within the first three years normally means you have lost a huge chunk of its value in depreciation. Keeping it for five years or more flattens this out completely, and diesels are built for racking up large mileages without complaint.
Also, because new diesel sales are falling, in a few years’ time the amount of available used diesels will in turn be far less. If some buyers continue to value them, this scarcity could prop up values. Of course, this is not certain.
Looking even further ahead, from 2030 sales of new cars and vans powered wholly by petrol and diesel will be banned in the UK. In the run-up we can expect to see a rush of financial incentives to trade in or scrap older petrol and diesel cars against new electric vehicles.
As they introduce clean air zones, councils have also launched incentives to scrap older petrol and diesel vehicles. From 2019 London offered £1,000 – £2,000 grants to scrap non-compliant cars and motorcycles. More than 8,000 vehicles were scrapped before the money ran out.
The Genesis GV70 is a mid-sized five-door SUV and estate that arrived in the UK in Autumn 2021, pitched as an alternative to the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC in the high-end SUV market.
Genesis is a spin-off upmarket brand owned by Hyundai. The GV70, alongside the G70 saloon, is part of its first foray into the European automotive market after successes in Asia and the USA. There is another SUV available in the range, the larger Genesis GV80.
You won’t be able to buy a Genesis at a traditional dealership; you can take a test drive from your front door on request, orders are delivered to the customer, and cars are collected from the owner for servicing over a standard five-year care plan, as the brand looks to provide an attractive premium ownership experience.
Genesis offers a rather limited range of engine options for the GV70 SUV; customers can choose between a 2.2-litre diesel and a 2.5-lite petrol, all models being fitted with an automatic gearbox.
TheTelegraph remains unimpressed by the slender range on offer, judging that these engines are too thirsty compared to premium rivals, and the absence of any electric or plug-in hybrid models is disappointing. An electric GV70 joined the family in the UK in late 2022, and we have a separate Expert Rating for that model.
While reviewers are not too enthused by what the GV70 offers under the hood, the interior quality is noted by many. Publications like Auto Express and The Sun commend the GV70 for its spacious and comfortable cabin, and the impressive amount of on-board tech fitted to the SUV as standard.
As of February 2025, the Genesis GV70 holds a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 63%. It earns top marks for its safety rating, but its CO2 emissions are average, as are its media reviews. In addition, it’s expensive to run and we don’t have enough data to generate a reliability rating at this time, so check back again soon.
Body style: Medium five-door SUV Engines: petrol, diesel Price: From £39,450 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2021 Last updated: N/A Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The Genesis GV70 is an SUV with plenty of appeal. It’s spacious, very generously equipped and its cabin beats many of the established German rivals for style, and almost matches them for quality. However, it’s not quite on the level of the class best for ride comfort and body control.” Read review
Auto Trader
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “A premium SUV from new luxury brand Genesis Motor, the GV70 offers a break from the mainstream norm.” Read review
Business Car
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “Overall, while it can’t hope to compete with rivals’ PHEV options as an all-round company car choice, the GV70 has enough going for it for a driver with their heart set on a diesel SUV to find it worthy of consideration.” Read review
Car
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “The GV70 isn’t just a car for people that want to be different for the sake of it. Yes, it’s not as sharp to drive as an X3 or Macan, but it’s far less dull than a Q5, manages to be better built and techier inside than a GLC and feels far less brittle than an XC60.” Read review
Carbuyer
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7.8 / 10 “The Genesis GV70 is a smooth and comfortable SUV from Hyundai’s upmarket brand” Read review
Carwow
+
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “The GV70 is Genesis’ take on the mid-size luxury SUV. It’s practical, but the handling and ride could do with a little more finesse and it can get very thirsty.” Read review
Company Car Today
+
Model reviewed: Range overview “Interesting new arrival won’t make a big dent in the share of the major prestige brands, but it’s a classy and premium SUV with an extremely attractive ownership proposition for those that are willing to head down the haggle-free online-purchase route.” Read review
Motoring Research
+
Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel automatic Score: 8 / 10 “The new Genesis GV70 family SUV is packed with technology and should be painless to own. Genesis faces an uphill struggle for recognition, but the GV70 is proficient – and simply different – enough to make a strong start.” Read review
Parkers
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Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7.8 / 10 “Interesting new SUV is surprisingly engaging” Read review
The Sun
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Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol automatic “The Genesis GV70 has pointless tech and odd controls but its cabin is a lovely place to be” Read review
The Telegraph
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Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol automatic Sport Line Score: 6 / 10 “The Genesis GV70 isn’t as good as the best premium SUVs. It lacks their polish and it’s too thirsty; what’s more, with no hybrid options in the range, it makes no sense as a company car. But for private buyers, it is extremely good value. Combined with the purchase and after-care experience it comes with, that might just be enough to make it worthy of a place at the school gates. “ Read review
Top Gear
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Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 6 / 10 “A decent attempt at a lifestyle SUV which should come with a premium ownership experience, but doesn’t drive as well as its German rivals.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Clean Air Index: 3.4 / 10 Energy Efficiency Index: 0.7 / 10 Greenhouse Gas Index: 0.01 / 10
The Genesis GV70 was tested by Green NCAP in Summer 2022 – specifically the 2.5-litre petrol variant with an automatic gearbox. The car was awarded a low one star emissions rating – these scores only apply to this powertrain and gearbox combination.
Described as a “a full-bodied cruiser of the old breed”, Green NCAP commented that the car displayed poor fuel economy, and expressed concern over the SUV’s greenhouse gas emissions – giving the model a 0/10 greenhouse Gas Index score.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of February 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Genesis GV70 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the GV70, we’ll publish the results here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
29 mpg
E
28 – 30 mpg
E – E
Diesel models
38 mpg
D
37 – 39 mpg
D – D
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
217 g/km
D
216 – 222 g/km
D – D
Diesel models
192 g/km
C
186 – 200 g/km
C – D
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
42
D
40 – 44
C – D
The Genesis GV70 is an expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel consumption is poor, from either the petrol or diesel models, while insurance costs are also high.
As yet, we don’t have servicing and repair costs for the GV70, so check back again soon.
Awards
Significant UK trophies and awards that the Genesis GV70 has received
2022
Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best Large SUV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Genesis GV70, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën has announced that its C5 Aircross SUV/crossover will be getting an update in the first half of 2022, featuring tweaks to its front-end styling, new LED rear lights, and a larger infotainment console.
First arriving in the UK in the Winter of 2018, Citroën will hope that the updated C5 Aircross grabs the attention of UK buyers upon arrival, challenging the closely-related Peugeot 3008 and the latest generation of Nissan Qashqai.
The 2022 C5 Aircross features new ‘air curtains’ on the front bumper that Citroën says improves aerodynamics, while the Citroën badge has been enlarged and positioned on the centre of the grille. The air intake below the grille has also had a redesign, and a new chrome-coloured skid plate has been fitted to the bottom of the bumper.
The updated model features new 18-inch alloy wheels. In the rear, the C5 Aircross has been given LED tail-lights, though the oval shape of the design remains the same.
On the inside, a larger ten-inch infotainment screen is centred on the updated dashboard that swaps plastic for new faux-leather touch materials and chrome details. Two USB ports now sit below the dash, with wireless smartphone charging available on top-spec models.
Automatic models get a redesigned gear selector, and plug-in hybrid versions come with an additional button for selecting driving modes (Electric mode, Hybrid mode or Sport mode).
The 2022 C5 Aircross also comes with a 12-inch digital cockpit behind the steering wheel that Citroën says is fully customisable, and the brand’s ‘Advanced Comfort’ seats that have heating and massage features.
With an Expert Rating of 71% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index, the Citroën C5 Aircross is already well-regarded for its comfortable and practical cabin design. Prices for the updated model will be announced closer to its arrival, sometime in Spring 2022.
First appearing as a concept at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, the BMW i4 is a premium five-door saloon which is the all-electric equivalent of the 4 Series Gran Coupe.
One of the Tesla Model 3‘s key competitors in the mid-sized EV saloon market, the i4 is the fifth edition to BMW’s electric ‘i’ line-up, currently placed as the middle ground between the compact i3 hatchback and the larger iX3 SUV.
The BMW i4 range launched with two drivetrain options – the rear-wheel drive eDrive40, and the four-wheel drive M50. Both models are fitted with an 84 kWh battery, which BMW claims to deliver up to 367 miles from a full charge. The rear-wheel drive ‘eDrive35’ has since joined the range, offering a smaller range of 299 miles and less horsepower for a cheaper price.
This impressive battery range, coupled with the saloon’s rapid charging ability, has earned the i4 plenty of praise from the UK media. Several titles, including Auto Express and Carwow, have also been impressed by the i4’s refined interior equipped with innovative on-board tech and an “excellent” infotainment system.
Meanwhile, Car Keys is excited by the BMW i4’s pacy performance and exterior styling. That said, BMW’s new approach to its grille design is a contentious topic for reviewers and BMW enthusiasts alike.
The key criticism levelled at the BMW i4 is that it is not as enjoyable to drive as the i4’s combustion-powered equivalent, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. Several reviewers also assert that the more powerful M50 variant is not as sharp as the Tesla Model 3 Performance, and point out that it also lacks Tesla’s industry-leading Supercharger charging station network.
As of September 2025, the BMW i4 holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 76%. It also rates an A in our used car calculations, with a slightly lower score of 73%. It scores top marks for its strong media reviews, zero tailpipe emissions and BMW’s new car warranty coverage. In addition, its safety rating is good (although not as good as the 3 Series saloon), and its running costs are impressive given its price tag.
“The BMW i4 is the German brand’s first fully-electric gran coupe that delivers great performance, has a plush interior and excellent infotainment. Its looks might not be to everyone’s taste, though, and there are roomier alternatives.”
Model reviewed: eDrive35 Score: 8 / 10 “The cheaper eDrive35 is a welcome addition to the BMW i4 range, sacrificing little with regards to performance and range, and nothing when it comes to standard equipment, quality or technology. It’s a significant price drop, but there’s no shying away from the fact that at nearly £50k, it’s almost exactly the same price as a facelifted Tesla Model 3 Long Range – a car that’ll officially do more than 400 miles on a charge.” Author: Richard Ingram Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “The BMW i4 has the Tesla Model 3 in its crosshairs, this electrified take on the 4 Series Gran Coupe impressing for its tech, range and performance.” Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “In most respects, the BMW i4 is just as much of a cutting-edge electric car experience as the iX, wrapped up in much less controversial packaging. Whichever i4 you choose, there are still so many core BMW traits in here: alert steering, outstanding ride and handling balance, a clean, well-built and user-friendly interior, and more than ample power being just some of them. The post-petrol future is bright.” Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “As an electric all-rounder, the i4 is a superb option. It’s got the pace, the style and the quality to make it stand out, while a long electric range and impressive rapid charging capability also adds to its appeal.” Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.8 / 10 “BMW’s first all-electric compact executive model almost does it all and proves electric cars can indeed be fun to drive.” (Richard Ingram) Read review
Discover EV
Model reviewed: M50 Score: 9 / 10 “If you’re after an EV within the premium midsize segment that’s not an SUV, The BMW i4 is a good contender. It boasts the sporting prowess and performance for which BMW is renowned, as well as useable driving range, refinement, great infotainment, comfort and usability.” Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “The electric BMW 3 Series alternative offers refinement and comfort with exceptional build quality and excellent infotainment, while the M50 packs a punch worthy of its badge.” Read review
Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “The BMW i4 is an all-round convincing offer for all those who do not want to completely erase their memories of the good old days when switching to electric motoring.” Read review
Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: eDrive40 M Sport Score: 10 / 10 “The BMW i4 commands a premium price tag but absolutely justifies it, both with the quality of the interior and with the depth of engineering which is immediately apparent. The combination of excellent range, strong performance, outstanding refinement, excellent ride comfort, and engaging handling is unmatched by any rival.” (Paul Clarke) Read review
Model reviewed: M50 Score: 10 / 10 “The BMW i4 M50 offers a solution for motorists who want both an electric car and a driver’s car, thanks to its huge performance, rewarding handling and driver-focused BMW interior.” Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “The BMW i4 proves that electric vehicles don’t have to be weird and wacky to be desirable. It looks very similar to the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, while there’s little inside to make it stand out from its petrol or diesel counterpart. Yet it’s brilliant to drive, feels totally premium and should be very cheap to run – if not to buy.” Author: Andrew Brady Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 10 / 10 “The BMW i4 is excellent to drive and has an impressive interior. We like how it looks, too, and it’s sure to be less divisive than the BMW iX SUV.” Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8.4 / 10 “Five-door coupe with great electric tech that’s superb to drive” Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: eDrive40 M Sport Score: 10 / 10 “Is the entry-level BMW i4 a Tesla beater? Yes, it is. There’s simply no question that it’s the better car of the two. The i4 is more comfortable, built better, feels better to drive and has a roomier boot. It’s even cheaper to buy. That makes this one of the best EVs on the market.” (Alex Robbins) Read review
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10 “Refined, good-looking and rapid, the BMW i4 certainly takes the fight to Tesla. It handles, rides and – apart from the super-sized grille – it’s lovely to look at. Its faults, such as they exist, are mainly inherent with battery-electric driving, but this is the best alternative to fossil fuels I’ve come across.” Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 8 / 10 “We like the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2, but there’s still a vacancy for a really sweet-driving alternative. The BMW i4, especially in RWD spec, is that alternative.” Read review
Which EV?
Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 9 / 10 “The i4 is a solid return to electric form for BMW. The eDrive40 has excellent range and is quite fast, while the M50 is one of the best performing and handling EVs currently on the market, with good range. Couple this with generous interior and cargo space plus a well-designed and luxurious interior, and you have a very tempting luxury EV, although you pay a premium for the BMW brand. A superb electric car.” (James Morris) Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Although it is based on the BMW 3 Series saloon, which was given a full five-star rating in 2019, the i4 has been awarded a four-star rating by Euro NCAP in 2022. This is likely due to the significant structural differences caused by the engine, gearbox and associated mechanicals being swapped out for an electric motor and batteries.
While the BMW i4’s adult and child occupant protection scores are high by current standards, the saloon’s safety assistance technology score lags behind other electric saloons, and is actually markedly lower than the safety assist score given to the Toyota Aygo X city car.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Clean Air Index: 10 / 10 Energy Efficiency Index: 9.3 / 10 Greenhouse Gas Index: 9.5 / 10
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Battery range
Average
Score
Variation
Score
EV models
330 miles
A
Electrical efficiency
Average
Score
Variation
Score
EV models
4.2 m/KWh
C
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
37
D
Service and maintenance
Cost
Score
Year 1
£266
C
Year 2
£485
B
Year 3
£718
B
Year 4
£961
B
Year 5
£1,224
A
Overall
£3,654
B
It is an expensive upfront purchase, but the BMW i4 is very cheap to run, according to numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
It’s electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is fairly average, while driving battery range is better than 300 miles according to the official UK/EU government lab tests.
Insurance premiums should be good compared to other electric cars of this size as well, but the even better news is that scheduled servicing costs for the i4 are excellent – even compared to much cheaper cars – and cheaper than combustion-engined BMW models.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of September 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the BMW i4 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the i4, we’ll publish the score here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the BMW i4
Overall rating
A
82%
New car warranty duration
3 years
New car warranty mileage
Unlimited miles
Battery warranty duration
8 years
Battery warranty mileage
100,000 miles
BMW’s new car warranty is only average, and worse than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the i4.
The duration is three years, with no limit on mileage. However, there is a separate eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
Warranty on a used BMW i4
If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ BMW i4 from an official BMW dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
If you are buying a used BMW i4 from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used BMW i4 from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.
If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
Date: June 2024 Recall number: R/2024/258 Model types: All Build dates: 03/2024 to 05/2024 Number of vehicles affected: 652 Defect: On affected vehicles during production excessive force may have been applied to the rear left hand side chassis longitudinal beam which could lead to it cracking and affecting its structural strength. Remedy: On affected vehicles the rear left hand side chassis longitudinal beam will be checked and if necessary replaced.
Date: February 2024 Recall number: R/2024/211 Model types: All Build dates: 12/2023 only Number of vehicles affected: 1 Defect: On affected vehicles if faulty cell modules have been installed then a malfunction may occur in the high voltage battery. Remedy: On the affected vehicles the faulty cell modules in the High Voltage battery will be replaced.
Date: August 2023 Recall number: R/2023/235 Model types: All Build dates: 06/2022 to 07/2022 Number of vehicles affected: 27 Defect: On affected vehicles due to a supplier component production process error a damaged Combined Charging Unit may have been installed. Remedy: Replace the Combined Charging Unit.
Date: May 2023 Recall number: R/2023/133 Model types: All Build dates: 04/2022 to 11/2022 Number of vehicles affected: 28 Defect: A cable bridge connection connecting two circuit boards within the cell supervision circuit (CSC) might not have been installed properly. Remedy: On the affected vehicles the cell supervision circuit (CSC) inside the high-voltage battery will be replaced.
Date: October 2022 Recall number: R/2022/330 Model types: All Build dates: 07/2021 to 10/2022 Number of vehicles affected: 211 Defect: During assembly of the HV Battery cell the cathode plate may have been damaged and a broken piece may have entered the interior of the cell. BMW strongly recommends refraining from charging the high-voltage battery and to not use the vehicles until the repair is performed. BMW also recommends parking the vehicle outdoors and not in the immediate vicinity of buildings. Remedy: On the affected vehicles the defective cell modules of the high-voltage battery will be replaced.
Date: January 2022 Recall number: R/2022/020 Model types: All Build dates: 09/2021 to 11/2021 Number of vehicles affected: 133 Defect: Crash pads may not have been installed on the high-voltage battery during vehicle assembly. Remedy: Vehicles will be inspected and if necessary the crash pads will be retrofitted.
As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been six DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the BMW i4 addressing various different issues.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local BMW dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used I4, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
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Between the continuing Covid-19 pandemic and the semiconductor chip shortage, 2021 turned out to be the second year in a row that the car industry would really like to forget. However, through all the uncertainty and struggle, one constant remained – the rise of the electric car.
With almost every budget, mainstream and premium brand jumping on the all-electric bandwagon this year, 2021 saw a serious acceleration in the registration of battery-powered electric models in the UK – over 190,000 of these new EVs being sold across the Britain during the year.
When you consider that only 160,000 electric cars arrived on UK roads between 2016 and 2020, this is a very impressive accolade for the EV industry. While the number of new diesel cars registered in Britain dropped 48% in 2021, EV sales grew by a staggering 76%, largely thanks to the ten cars listed below.
Despite the car industry as a whole continuing to struggle with supply shortages, 2022 looks like it will be another blockbuster year for EV sales, bolstered by the many new all-electric models scheduled for release in the coming months.
The ten best-selling electric cars of 2021
1. Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 has set new sales records from EVs in the UK ever since it was launched, and 2021 was no different. Not only was it the most popular new electric car with nearly 35,000 annual sales, but it ended the year second on the best-selling list of all new cars.
The Model 3 has received plenty of positive reviews, and currently holds an Expert Rating of 84% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index.
Despite being some way behind Tesla in sales figures, Kia sold more than 12,000 e-Niro SUVs in 2021, the highest sales of any EV available with the government’s plug-in car grant. However, we are set to see this generation of the e-Niro replaced soon, the new model expected in mid-2022.
Despite being one of the older EVs in the top ten, the e-Niro continues to be held in high regard, with an Expert Rating of 84% as of January 2022.
Completing the podium is the Volkswagen ID.3, an EV that is widely regarded as one of the leading examples of the new wave of electric cars arriving on our roads, picking up an impressive ten industry awards during 2021.
Praised for its performance and decent battery range, as well as overall comfort and ease of use, the Volkswagen ID.3 currently holds an Expert Rating of 76% – an indentical score to the more traditional Volkswagen Golf.
One of the most popular electric cars around the world, the Nissan Leaf has been establishing itself as a capable and cheaper alternative to the chart-topping Tesla Model 3, with more than 9,000 models sold during 2021.
The second-generation Leaf has had generally positive reviews, commended for its generous equipment levels and smooth ride. It currently holds an Expert Rating of 71% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index.
Audi’s first ever all-electric production model, the e-tron is a refined and practical premium SUV that is proving to be popular in the UK with British sales of nearly 7,400 in 2021.
The Audi e-tron currently holds an Expert Rating of 71% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index, with praise for its comfort levels. Other vehicles can go further between charges, however.
The compact Hyundai Kona Electric SUV was facelifted in 2021 and continues to be a competitive value-for-money package for those looking for their first family-sized EV.
The Kona has been praised for its impressive battery range and practicality. It currently holds an Expert Rating of 79%, which is slightly behind the closely-related Kia e-Niro.
With just over 6,600 registrations in 2021, the all-electric version of the Mini hatchback is has been praised for its upmarket interior, but criticised for its underwhelming battery range.
Currently holding an Expert Rating of 63% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index, the recently-facelifted Mini Electric has one full year of production left, with a new generation expected to arrive in 2023.
Offering an affordable entry to EV ownership, the Renault Zoe spent most of 2021 in the media’s good graces – until it was given an abysmal zero-star crash test rating from Euro NCAP in December.
In light of the Zoe’s low safety score, Renault’s urban EV is now impossible to recommend. It currently holds an Expert Rating of 62%, which has fallen considerably since the crash test results were published.
The Vauxhall Corsa ended 2021 on top of the annual sales charts, with more than 40,000 registrations. However, the electric Corsa-e only made up around 5,600 of those sales, so Vauxhall will be hoping that it can attract more interest in its EV models in 2022.
The Vauxhall Corsa-e has received a mixed bag of reviews since its 2019 arrival, and currently holds an Expert Rating of 64% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index.
Citroën UK has revised its ë-C4 Electric line-up, dropping prices and tweaking specifications to ensure that two of the three models in the range still qualify for the government’s Plug-in Car Grant.
The latest changes to the government grant announced in December cut the maximum price for qualifying cars from £35,000 to £32,000, which placed all three previous versions of the ë-C4 above the threshold.
But now the ‘Sense Plus’ entry-level model has been dropped and replaced by a new version simply called ‘Sense’ and already available with combustion-engined C4s. This is priced almost £2,600 cheaper than its predecessor at £29,995, which reduces to £28,495 after the government grant is applied.
The new model does without some of the equipment formerly offered on the Sense Plus, including the head-up display, rear parking camera and satellite navigation.
However the specification does include LED headlights, alloy wheels, power folding mirrors, keyless entry & start and a ten-inch touchscreen infotainment system with DAB digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Autonomous braking, speed limit information, lane-keeping assistance and a forward collision warning are among the safety aids.
Meanwhile the mid-range ë-C4 ‘Shine’ model has been renamed ‘Shine Edition’ and its price dropped by £1,540 to bring it jut under the grant threshold – with the grant applied it costs £30,495. There are no specification changes, additions over the Shine including a head-up display, sat nav, reversing camera and significant extra safety features including active cruise control, active blind spot detection and a pack that adds night-time and cyclist detection features to the autonomous braking.
The top ‘Shine Plus’ model, which has previously been the most popular trim choice, remains in the new range but at £34,995 (an increase of £715) does not qualify for the Plug-in Car Grant. Additions include wireless smartphone charging, an upgraded speaker system with subwoofer, heated front seats and a bespoke black-themed interior.
The changes to the ë-C4 specification go some way to addressing one of the criticisms of the model when it was launched a year ago – namely that it was expensive compared to alternative EVs. Citroën has also managed to squeeze a bit more battery range out of ë-C4s built since October 2021 thanks to alterations to the heat pump and transmission.
As of January 2022, the Citroën ë-C4 holds an Expert Rating of 68% according to our industry-leading Expert Rating Index. That’s a fair way off the (slightly more expensive) Volkswagen ID.3, which currently holds a rating of 76%.
Sister brands Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroën are dropping the combustion-engined versions of their van-based people-carriers with immediate effect, making them only available as electric vehicles (EVs).
The three brands are removing petrol and diesel-engined versions of the Vauxhall Combo Life and Vivaro Life, Peugeot Rifter and Traveller, and Citroën Berlingo and SpaceTourer from UK sale – all of which are near-identical vehicles built as joint projects across the the three brands and based on their delivery van equivalents.
Existing orders will be fulfilled and there will presumably be some vehicles in stock to clear, but customers will no longer be able to order non-electric versions from now on.
Vauxhall and Citroën have also announced price cuts to the electric models to ensure that all Combo-e Life and ë-Berlingo versions qualify for the government’s plug-in grant – this was reduced to £1,500 in December and the upper price limit for qualifying vehicles also cut from £35,000 to £32,000.
Vauxhall Combo-e Life
Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life
Peugeot e-Rifter
Peugeot e-Traveller
Citroën ë-Berlingo
Citroën ë-SpaceTourer
The price reductions range up to £3,000 with the cheapest of the line-up now being the Citroën ë-Berlingo, which starts at £29,495, and the Vauxhall Combo-e Life starting at £29,610. Both prices include the revised government plug-in car grant.
Similar price cuts also ensure that certain versions of the Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life and Citroën ë-SpaceTourer will also qualify for the grant.
Light-commercial versions of the vehicles – the Vauxhall Combo and Vivaro, Peugeot Partner and Expert and Citroën Berlingo and Dispatch, will continue to be available with internal-combustion engines alongside the electric versions.
Buy a new car and you not only have a fresh set of wheels to show your neighbours, but you have the peace of mind that if there’s a major mechanical failure on the car, its repairs and spare parts will be covered by the manufacturer or dealer warranty. This is usually at least three years, but in some cases it can be more.
That’s a good feeling to have! So, as your own car gets older, or if you have bought a vehicle that has no warranty, you might well want that sentiment to continue. The irony is that as vehicles age, they become more likely to fail, not less. And it’s just as your manufacturer warranty is coming to an end that problems can start to loom.
So can you buy a used car warranty to cover you for your car’s later years, whenever you like?
Yes you can, and there are many specialist companies around to help you make that decision. Modern cars are better built and more reliable than ever, but their enhanced features are also more expensive to repair when compared with older vehicles, so a warranty is certainly worth considering.
Timing is key here and waiting too long can affect the premium you’ll pay. Like any insurance, the cost of cover depends on several factors: the make and model of the car, its age, how many miles it has covered, and what it has been used for.
Age is a big factor because it’s assumed that the older a car gets, the more likely it is that something is going to go wrong. Indeed, most warranty providers won’t cover cars over a certain age – usually 10 to 12 years – or if it has done high mileage.
But assuming your car is newer than that, it’s worth getting cover in place before it comes out of its manufacturer warranty. If you wish you can leave a gap of ‘no cover’ and wait until your car starts showing signs of failing, but that’s a gamble. And warranty providers won’t pay for pre-existing issues – problems that are already there when you buy a policy.
Take time to look around
Give yourself some time to research what is available in used car warranties before your existing cover ends. It will give you a chance you study various providers’ small print and descriptions of what they will and won’t pay for, and you’ll also get a good idea of what level of cover you want and how much you’re likely to pay for it.
Most warranty providers will offer different levels of cover. These will include lists of parts insured, the top amount of labour charge they will pay out for, whether electrical parts as well as mechanical are covered, and whether it includes items such as infotainment, satnav and air conditioning.
Some policies also include cover to get your vehicle through an MOT test and even roadside recovery and home start services, so there is a lot to consider here as you might not need everything that’s on the table.
Seamless transition
If you have made the decision to go with a warranty policy, it’s worth making sure there is a seamless transition of coverage – one policy ends and another one starts. Certainly most providers will default to ‘automatic renewal’ once you have signed up with them for this very reason – although you can opt out of this at any time.
When approaching the end of your new car warranty, it is possible to buy a new policy and defer the start date, but providers will have their own timelines on how early you can do that. At least though, everything will be in place when the time comes to change over, and the peace of mind that comes with having warranty cover on your pride and joy can continue.
Here at The Car Expert, we have some fantastic warranty offers for our readers provided by our commercial partners. If you’re interested in a used car warranty, you should check these out:
ALA Insurance provides used car warranties in conjunction with the RAC
MotorEasy offers warranties and many other types of cover for car owners
Warrantywise is a long-established and multi-award-winning warranty provider
Fiat has announced that a new trim will be added to the Tipo and Panda hatchback ranges, as part of the brand’s ongoing partnership with global charitable foundation (RED).
The (RED) trim was first added to the all-new electric Fiat 500 range in October 2021, fitted with a unique design consisting of black fabric seats with red stitching made from recycled polyester, painted door mirrors and the (RED) branding on the front doors.
As we venture into 2022, Fiat has decided to make these features available for the other hatchbacks in its range, meaning the (RED) trim is now available for the Panda Cross and Tipo Cross models.
Fiat (Panda)RED
Fiat (Tipo)RED
There is only one engine setup available for the Fiat (Panda)RED, which is based on the Panda City Cross and powered by a 70hp petrol 1.0-litre mild-hybrid unit. Likewise the Fiat (Tipo)RED is based on the top-spec Tipo Cross, and only available with a 100hp petrol 1.0-litre engine. Both models are fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Available to order now in the UK, prices for the Fiat (Panda)RED start at £15,755, costing £700 more than the regular Panda City Cross model. The more expensive Fiat (Tipo)RED is priced at £23,595; which is £1,000 more than the standard Tipo Cross.
Proceeds from this raised pricing will go towards funding (RED)’s aim of strengthening healthcare systems and supporting life-saving programs in the communities hit hardest by pandemics, particularly the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Raising over $700 million for charitable causes to date, (RED) also has a partnership with Fiat’s American sister brand, Jeep.
So you’re looking to get yourself an SUV for 2025 then? An SUV? What’s that?
Good question. The term SUV is widely used and encompasses so many different types of car that nobody really knows precisely how to describe one. So before The Car Expert recommends some websites to help you find an SUV, it’s important to understand exactly what it is you want to buy.
An SUV is a traditional family car or estate model but with more of a leaning towards lifestyle. Most look like they could be a 4×4 off-roader, but they don’t actually have to offer 4WD capability to be an SUV. Indeed many are two wheel drive only.
They come in all sizes today, and the smaller ones are even referred to as crossovers, but whatever size you choose, the car will always have a sense of utility, adventure and versatility about it. A ‘belt up the kids, throw the dog on the boot, fill the roof box with anoraks and walking gear and head for the hills’ kind of feeling.
So whether you’re looking for a Ford Puma, Nissan Qashqai, Skoda Kodiaq or Range Rover, you will find it in the ‘SUV’ category. It’s a big arena to search in so you’ll need some help choosing the right websites.
Here at The Car Expert, we’re building and updating guides to the top sites to buy used vehicles of all categories. So here is our pick of some of the best for buying a used SUV.
URL:saxton4x4.co.uk They say: “Europe’s largest 4×4 dealership”
We like: Good photography brings out the best in cars We don’t like: Big blocks of text with features
Claiming to be the UK’s leading independent 4×4 dealer and the largest in Europe, Saxton 4×4 has been trading in top 4WD marques for more than 50 years. Its 100,000 square foot Essex site is an official distributor for brands such as Overfinch, Kahn and Onyx and it sells standard and modified 4x4s.
They check their prices against the market every day to stay competitive and each used car gets a 300-point vehicle inspection and provenance check. Four wheel drive cars can be pricey but if you don’t fancy shelling out in one go, a range of finance offers are available.
Aim high and you’ll find enchanting machinery such as a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus and Mercedes-Benz GLS Maybach listed in there but for the majority of us, there is a good selection of 4WD favourites from Jeep and Land Rover along with MINI, Audi, BMW and other brands that offer all-wheel drive.
These can be found through the usual drop down menu of make, model, fuel type, body style, mileage and more. Click on a car you like and you’ll get a list with good photo, brief details and a click through to ‘View’ for more details. Here you get more details and pictures, a block of description and key facts such as mileage, mpg and CO2.
It’s a fairly attractive site to navigate around and there’s a good selection of photography including a panoramic 360 degree feature.
Motors*
URL:motors.co.uk They say: “We make finding the right car simple”
We like: Lots to read and enjoy We don’t like: Some pictures are low quality
The landing page tells you immediately that there are more than 300,000 used cars on Motors’ books, so you know you’re looking at a big operation. You’re initially asked for your postcode, make and model (if you know what you want) and minimum and maximum price you’re happy to pay.
There is, however, a ‘More Options’ tab at the bottom which we used to find body styles including ‘SUV’. Doing that pared the search down to a ‘mere’ 43,000 cars. The large numbers are because Motors doesn’t own all the cars in its records; it acts as an agent for dealers across the UK, although there are some private sellers in there too.
You can continue refining through age, mileage, transmission, colour and more, to get the number of available cars down to a more manageable level. Even then there’s still a lot to go through. But it’s an easy site to navigate around, and there’s a section highlighting all the cars that have been reduced in price – you’ll find thousands here but some have only been cut by a few hundred pounds.
There’s news and feature articles plus car evaluations and a suite of video reviews. The helpful advice section includes news and features, an ‘ask the experts’ section and more. There’s also a fuel calculator, car finance guide and a ‘smart search’ to find the best car match for you.
A car price guide shows how much used models similar to what you’re looking at, are selling for, so you can compare, which is useful if budgeting. Car details are full, with lists of features and equipment but some of the pictures are a bit unpolished.
URL: easternwestern.co.uk They say: “Scotland’s premier privately owned dealer group”
We like: Busy, useable site We don’t like: Search engine didn’t return what we needed
Eastern Western was formed in 1927 as a family owned and run business and it’s still that today. They’re involved in many aspects of the automotive business – new cars, used cars, rental, servicing – so there’s lots going on. Based in West Lothian, they serve the whole of Scotland.
For used cars, a drop down menu offers several choices. There are brand suggestions such as ‘Used BMW’ or Used Fiat’, or you can try regions like ‘Used Cars in Edinburgh’. There’s also an option to just click on ‘All Used Cars’ – more than 1,500 were listed when we looked.
For our purposes we went for all used cars and then chose to use the ‘Search keywords’ option and typed in ‘SUV’. Only two cars came back: a Lexus UX and a BMW X1, so it was time to be a bit more specific. We used the drop down option to find ‘Hyundai’ and ‘ix35’.
An initial description of the available cars gives a picture, a price (outright and monthly hp), and basic details including year, mileage, fuel type and transmission. Clicking for more details gives you a greater breakdown of the car you’re interested in, plus more pictures.
You can reserve a car immediately for £99 and request further information from the dealership where the car is being held. Eastern Western are clearly keen to do a finance deal with you and there are lots of reminders throughout the site about this although you can, of course, buy outright.
It’s a busy site with lots of products on offer and a good news section. If you live in Scotland it’s certainly worth a look.
We like: Simple, no-frills approach We don’t like: Big block of car detail text
This Hockley-based used car dealer is situated 20 minutes from the M25 motorway and so services a wide South-East band of customers.
Specialising in 4×4 vehicles, it’s a good place to look if you’re after an SUV – especially a more rugged one that will actually go off-road without difficulty. The drop down menu immediately shows up a number of car brands that the dealer has in stock at any one time.
When we looked there were Ford, Nissan, Fiat, Skoda, Suzuki and Toyota cars available among others. There was even a Bentley and a Porsche on the list, although the latter was an all-wheel drive 911, so not ticking the SUV box on this occasion.
You can otherwise ‘View all used cars’ or choose to look according to your finances – £150, £250 or over-£250 per month. Indeed, like most dealers, Essex 4×4 are happy to discuss finance packages and make a big point of that.
Once you have some cars to view – you get an initial picture and brief details – click on a chosen model and you’re given further photos, a more detailed ‘at a glance’ section and a big block of text listing every feature and option of the car, with more reminders that you can discuss finance with them.
Essex 4×4 also offers servicing, repairs, vehicle valuations and purchases and even a vehicle sourcing service using a network of other dealers.
Shere 4×4
URL:shere4x4.co.uk They say: “Four wheel drive specialists since 1987”
We like: Compact but useful site We don’t like: It’s cheaper looking compared with rivals
Shere 4×4 is a relatively small player when you compare it with some of the big rivals. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a look if you’re in the market for a four wheel drive vehicle.
Established in 1987 and based in Shere village in Surrey, the company’s showroom holds a varied stock of vehicles. In 2001 a second showroom was opened, in the village of Northchapel in West Sussex, specialising in 4×4 pickup trucks while it also houses a service department. All the cars in stock can be found on their website.
Go to ‘Stock’ and you then have the chance to cut your search down to 4x4s, pickups, cars or ‘VW Transporters’. There’s a small selection of 4WD vehicles – when we looked it was mainly Mitsubishi and Suzuki – while in the pickups section you can find some double-cab vehicles which, while not true SUVs, can still do a good job for an active family.
This is a much smaller set-up than many of the other websites listed, so choice is greatly reduced, but there’s a friendly feel about the site, which also contains information on finance, servicing and extended warranties.
Stoneacre
URL:stoneacre.co.uk They say: “Find your next vehicle with Stoneacre”
We like: Simple to use drop down menus We don’t like: Photography not as sharp as some
Its head office is in Doncaster, but Stoneacre has 60 dealerships across the UK representing a Who’s Who of motor manufacturers: Suzuki, Fiat, Seat, Renault, Peugeot, Mazda and lots more, most of whom, of course, build SUVs.
To find your dream SUV there are two ways in: click on ‘Find a Car’ and choose from the many car brands that crop down. Alternatively, from the home page you can go straight to a make and then model if you know exactly what you’re looking for.
We entered ‘Kia’ and ‘Sportage’ and were given 57 examples to look at from branches across the country. Whittling this down to dealers within 100 miles of our location brought the selection down to 25 vehicles.
Each is similarly pictured with brief details including mileage, fuel type and transmission and with a monthly cost in bold or an outright purchase cost as a secondary measure. As with most dealer groups, finance is clearly what many of their customers look for first.
Click through for more pictures and a series of information boxes appear starting with a finance calculator, then vehicle description, specification, technical details and safety information. Data is supplied by third parties such as manufacturer information so it’s worth checking with the specific dealer if you’re interested in a particular car.
The site also offers car valuation and GAP insurance while a blog section contains interesting news and advice.
Vertu
URL: vertumotors.com They say: “We live and breathe all things automotive”
We like: Cars well pictured and described We don’t like: Some vehicle details repeated
Established in 2006, Vertu Motors Group also uses the names Bristol Street Motors and Macklin Motors so the chances are you will have come across at least one of their dealerships, which are located nationwide.
With its HQ in Gateshead, Vertu has amassed a wide-ranging portfolio of manufacturer partners under its belt including Audi, BMW, Honda, Jaguar, Volkswagen and many more, which allows them to offer a big list of SUV models.
As well as new cars, Vertu’s dealerships also stock a wide range of used vehicles, most of which can be found on its website.
Go to the ‘Used Cars’ drop down from the main menu and from here you can select from the list of manufacturers. There are sections on manufacturer ‘approved’ cars too plus a list of ex-demonstrator cars from the company’s branches. If you don’t want to travel the length of the country for your car it’s worth adding in your postcode and the miles you are prepared to go, or you can simply choose from a list of dealers and find the ones nearest to you.
Choose a car and you get an initial picture with brief details such as mileage, age and colour. There’s the full asking price plus an example of monthly finance payments. There are many other pictures available plus video and a list of the car’s key features. A ‘Manager’s comment’ gives an overview although it’s basically another list describing the same features. If you’re still interested you’ll find a further detailed specification sheet.
Like what you see? You can reserve the car online for £99, buy it online, make an inquiry or book an appointment to view it.
Walton Motors
URL: walton-motors.co.uk They say: “We specialise in selling used 4×4 vehicles”
We like: Friendly, family-style site We don’t like: Limited stock
Another smaller, family owned and run business, Surrey-based Walton Motors started in 1955 and are still going strong with the fourth-generation family members now in charge.
With a leaning towards Land Rover vehicles, Walton Motors offers a range of 4x4s, each one fully serviced, MOT’d and 20-point checked before being offered for sale. With a mix of newer and older (we found one from 1961) vehicles, it’s simple to obtain details if you see something you like. Some of the cars have been modified or are presented in unique colours.
The initial brief description gives a good picture, the price, and details such as mileage, age, body type, transmission, colour and fuel. There’s a block of other details and you can click on ‘More’ if something catches your eye.
The page opens to similar details done in a different way but with a lot more pictures and from there you can fill in an email form or phone the showroom to take the inquiry further.
Walton Motors also offers services such as part exchange, export to the US, warranty, servicing, repairs and even a hand car wash.
What happened to Cazoo?
Until recently, Cazoo was featured on this list. It was also one of The Car Expert’s platinum partners.
In early 2024, Cazoo decided to stop operating as an online car dealer and become an online marketplace, much like Auto Trader and Motors. As of May 2024, this process is underway and we will review its new offering when it’s available.
Cazoo has been a fantastic partner to The Car Expert for several years, and we had thousands of happy customers who found their perfect car with Cazoo after discovering them via our site. Unfortunately, other aspects of the company were not performing well enough and it decided to withdraw from the retail business. We look forward to welcoming Cazoo back again soon in its new guise as an automotive marketplace.
This article was originally published in January 2022. Last updated May 2024.
*The Car Expert has a commercial partnership with Motors. If you click through to their websites and view any of their vehicles, we may receive a small commission. We do not receive any payment or commission if you proceed to buy a car or sign an agreement via any of these sites.
The second-generation Audi A5 Cabriolet was a premium four-seat soft-top convertible that competed against its long-time rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the 4 Series Convertible and C-Class Cabriolet.
This model was launched in 2017, with a mid-life update in 2020. However, it was removed from sale in the UK at the end of 2022 due to poor sales.
The A5 Cabriolet range consisted of four engine options (three petrol and one diesel), all of which featured mild hybrid assistance. While the range included both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive choices, the Audi A5 Cabriolet was only available with an automatic gearbox.
The facelift in Autumn 2020 included full LED exterior lights and a digital instrument panel as standard on entry-level models, as well as an updated infotainment system and other minor changes.
“You only need to drive the A5 Cabriolet 100 metres to realise Audi has thrown everything it knows at this four-seat convertible”, Auto Trader explained. “It boasts a range of powerful, efficient and remarkably refined engines and the cabin is a near-perfect execution of precision and quality.”
However, most reviewers found that the BMW 4 Series Convertible offered tough competition, being similarly comfortable and better to drive, and was marginally the superior vehicle.
Top Gear concluded, “The A5 Cabriolet is more of a grand touring boulevardier rather than a B-road hustler. The much newer BMW 4 Series has it well and truly licked in that regard and, erm, most other regards to be honest.”
As of January 2025, the Audi A5 Cabriolet holds a Used Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of just 54%. Its positive media reviews contrast with poor reliability data for the overall Audi A5 family. The A5 Cabriolet also never earned a Euro NCAP safety rating, as it was not tested during its production life.
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
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Score: 8.2 / 10 “The new A5 Cabriolet is a complete package and a compelling proposition for those seeking an upmarket drop-top.” Read review
Auto Express
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Score: 8 / 10 “The A5 Cabriolet is well worth a look thanks to its combination of desirability and practicality.” Read review
Auto Trader
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Model reviewed: Cabriolet range Score: 8 / 10 “You only need to drive the A5 Cabriolet 100 metres to realise Audi has thrown everything it knows at its this four-seat convertible. It boasts a range of powerful, efficient and remarkably refined engines and the cabin is a near-perfect execution of precision and quality.” Read review
Car
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic Cabriolet Score: 8 / 10 “This is the best A5 Cabriolet yet, and actually among the most impressive four-seater convertibles around for everyday use. We’d prefer the considerably more exciting S5, but even with a diesel motor there’s a lot to like.” Read review
Carbuyer
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Score: 8 / 10 “It’s no sports car, but the comfortable Audi A5 Cabriolet blends classy top-down looks and quality with surprising practicality.” Read review
Carwow
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Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “The Audi A5 Cabriolet is a classy-looking open-top which a decent infotainment system. You’ll have more fun driving BMW’s open-top 4 Series, though.” Read review
Heycar
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Model reviewed: Cabriolet range Score: 8 / 10 “The A5 Cabriolet offers unrivalled refinement, ride comfort and interior quality in a car that is well suited to the type of low-speed cruising you’ll want to do with the roof down and three close friends in tow.”
Read review
Honest John
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Model reviewed: Cabriolet range Score: 8 / 10 “Acoustically-insulated roof as standard, and lighter yet stiffer than the previous model. Beautiful build quality and great all-round ability, but some rivals are more fun to drive.” Read review
Motoring Research
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Model reviewed: Range overview (coupé, cabriolet, Sportback) Score: 8 / 10 “If you’re prepared to sacrifice a little practicality in return for improved styling – and a higher price – the Audi A5 is one of the best looking cars in its class.” Read review
Parkers
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Model reviewed: Cabriolet range Score: 9.2 / 10 “Smart four-seater soft-top shines – roof up or down.” Read review
The Telegraph
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Model reviewed: Cabriolet range Score: 8 / 10 “The issue with cabriolet cars is that they tend to offer limited space, but Audi says its A5 Cabriolet is different, being a full four-seater with a boot to match that of a family hatchback.” Read review
Top Gear
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Model reviewed: Range overview Score: 7 / 10 “It’s a seductive car, the new Audi A5 Cabriolet, and while more dynamically accomplished than its predecessor, still more of a grand touring boulevardier rather than a B-road hustler. But what an ownership proposition.” Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The Audi A5 Cabriolet was not tested by Euro NCAP during its production life. It does not share the same Euro NCAP rating as the A5 Coupe and A5 Sportback due to the significant structural alterations required by not having a fixed roof.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Audi A5 Cabriolet was not tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 555 Average repair cost: £950.84 Last updated: October 2024
The Audi A5 has a poor reliability score of 30%, according to workshop data provided by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This applies to all versions of the Audi A5 (cabriolet, coupé, Sportback) and to both generations (2007–2016 and 2017 onwards).
The big thing to look for is suspension trouble. As the MotorEasy data above shows, this is the most common issue found on Audi A5 models, costing around £440 to correct on average. Engine issues are almost as common and a lot more expensive, with the average repair cost clocking in at more than £1,200.
Gearbox problems have also been known to crop up and are by far the most expensive faults, costing around the £3,000 mark. Bear all of this in mind if you’re looking at a used Audi A5.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
38 mpg
D
33 – 40 mpg
D – E
Diesel models
46 mpg
C
44 – 49 mpg
C – C
CO₂ output
Average
Score
Variation
Score
Petrol models
171 g/km
C
159 – 196 g/km
C – D
Diesel models
163 g/km
C
152 – 171 g/km
B – C
Insurance group
Average
Score
Variation
Score
All models
38
C
33 – 46
C – D
Running costs for the Audi A5 Cabriolet are more expensive than the market average, according to data provided by our commercial partner Clear Vehicle Data.
Insurance premiums are, according to the UK’s insurance group assessor Thatcham Research, not cheap, but not very expensive either.
Date: February 2022 Recall number: R/2022/036 Model types: All Build dates: 11/2019 to 02/2021 Number of vehicles affected: 5,327 Defect: Following a previous campaign, the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may, in certain circumstances, incorrectly be changed without this being noticed. Remedy: The wheel alignment must be checked and, if necessary, the suspension must be serviced on the affected vehicles.
Date: June 2021 Recall number: R/2021/236 Model types: All Build dates: 11/2019 to 02/2021 Number of vehicles affected: 10,089 Defect: One or more nuts which do not meet the specifications may have been fitted on the rear axle suspension links. Remedy: The affected nuts on the rear axle will be replaced on affected vehicles.
Date: June 2021 Recall number: R/2021/204 Model types: All Build dates: 12/2015 to 12/2018 Number of vehicles affected: 263 Defect: Vehicles may have been fitted with a hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty. Remedy: The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and, where necessary, replaced on the vehicles affected.
Date: October 2020 Recall number: R/2020/302 Model types: All Build dates: 07/2020 Number of vehicles affected: 8 Defect: The seat frame may not have been bolted correctly to the seat rail on the driver and/or front passenger side. Remedy: Check the affected seat frame connection and replace the frame if required.
Date: June 2020 Recall number: R/2020/138 Model types: All Build dates: 06/2017 to 03/2020 Number of vehicles affected: 34,982 Defect: It is possible that moisture may enter the belt-driven starter-alternator. Remedy: The starter-alternator must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Date: June 2019 Recall number: R/2019/175 Model types: All Build dates: 12/2015 to 12/2018 Number of vehicles affected: 135 Defect: Hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty. Remedy: The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and replaced if required.
Date: May 2019 Recall number: R/2019/149 Model types: All Build dates: 02/2019 to 03/2019 Number of vehicles affected: 85 Defect: An error in the casting process may affect the rigidity of the shock absorber fork. Remedy: The corresponding shock absorber forks must be replaced on the affected vehicles.
Date: December 2018 Recall number: R/2018/365 Model types: All Build dates: 02/2017 to 07/2017 Number of vehicles affected: 8 Defect: Airbag securing bolts may not be to the correct torque. Remedy: Check and replace bolts as required.
Date: February 2017 Recall number: R/2017/078 Model types: All Build dates: 05/2016 to 10/2016 Number of vehicles affected: 2,622 Defect: Due to an error in the manufacturing process, the airbag and/or seat belt pretensioner may not trigger in the event of a collision. Remedy: On affected vehicles, replace airbag assembly and seat belt pretensioner where necessary.
As of September 2024, there have been nine DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Audi A5 range covering various different issues.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Audi dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used A5, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Audi A5 Cabriolet has received
2018
Parkers Car Awards – Best Car of Sun Seekers
Similar cars
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Remember the end of 2020 and New Year 2021, when we all thought that the world would return to normal? Turns out that was a bit far-fetched… 2021 turned out to be every bit as challenging for the car industry.
The circumstances were quite different, however, as the year progressed. Instead of car dealers being all locked up with unsold cars all over the place, we had the exact opposite situation. Demand was high as customers returned to forecourts with money to burn, but car manufacturers couldn’t build enough cars thanks to a global shortage of tiny semiconductor computer chips.
By the end of the year, several of the country’s most popular vehicles were simply not available to purchase and had waiting lists stretching for many months. This was good news, however, for manufacturers who did have production lines rolling and were able to supply vehicles. That threw up some interesting sales results over the last six months, and the chaos is set to continue into the first half of 2022.
The headline news, of course, was that the UK has a new sales champion. After 12 years on top of the charts, the Ford Fiesta was dethroned thanks to a combination of declining popularity, supply difficulties, internal competition from the Ford Puma small SUV, and an updated model in the offing for 2022. So far did the Fiesta fall at the end of the year that it didn’t even end up in the top ten for 2021.
So without further ado, here are the ten best-selling cars of 2021.
The king is dead, long live the king! The Vauxhall Corsa has been a mainstay of the UK new car market for decades, so it’s something of a surprise that it’s taken so long to reach the top spot in the sales charts.
The current model Corsa, launched in 2020, has been a sales success ever since it was launched. The first Corsa developed under Vauxhall’s new Stellantis (nee PSA Group) ownership, it is available with either petrol or diesel engines, or as a fully electric Corsa-e version. It shares most of its underpinnings with the current Peugeot 208, but in the UK it’s the Vauxhall that’s far more popular.
It’s an indication of the topsy-turvy nature of new car sales in 2021 that Vauxhall sold about 6,000 fewer Corsas than it did in 2020 – and 9,000 fewer cars than Ford Fiestas – yet jumped from second to first place.
Despite its popularity, the petrol and diesel versions of the new Corsa hold a rather poor Expert Rating of 64% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index, although the all-electric Corsa-e manages a few points better at 67%. Those scores put the Corsa in the bottom half of the supermini class, suggesting that journalists are not as excited about the Corsa as customers seem to be.
With one month to go in 2021, the Tesla Model 3 wasn’t even in the top ten best-sellers list. Then came December, when almost 10,000 new Model 3s were registered – the single best monthly performance of any car all year.
As a result, the Model 3 leapt from outside the top ten to second place right at the end of the year. It was a tremendous result for Tesla, and was a massive contributor to another record month for EV sales.
The American company continues to dominate the electric car scene, which will have other manufacturers scratching their heads as to why their own EVs are not selling up a storm in the same way. It should be noted that Tesla operates in a very different way to other car manufacturers as it doesn’t run conventional dealerships, so its results tend to be up and down to a far greater degree than other brands.
Despite being the oldest car in the top ten, the twice-facelifted Mini hatch enjoyed one of most successful years for a long time (in terms of market share, if not outright sales). Being built in Britain, that’s also a great result for the UK economy and the local car industry.
The Mini had very strong end to the year, finishing second in October, top in November and second again in December. In a similar result to the Tesla Model 3, the Mini was out of the top ten altogether with two months to go, jumped to seventh in November and then up to third at the end of the year.
The Mini’s success was certainly helped by struggles for many other popular models, as the Ford Fiesta crashed out of the top ten while the Volkswagen Golf and Polo both struggled in recent months as well, as did the Mercedes A-Class.
The Mini hatch still holds a very solid score of 76% in our Expert Ratings index, which is one of the top scores in its class. The electric version doesn’t score so well, with an Expert Rating of only 63% that puts it close to the bottom of its class.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class slipped from second in year-to-date registrations in November to fourth at the close of play thanks to another poor month in December. Like many others, it was a victim of a lack of semiconductor chips, with Mercedes simply unable to supply cars to waiting customers.
Fourth place was actually one place up for the A-Class compared to 2020, despite Mercedes shifting 7,000 fewer units in 2021. In other words, it benefitted from even bigger supply problems for the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Golf.
The A-Class currently has an Expert Rating of 69% in The Car Expert’s unique aggregated Expert Rating index. It ranks highly for safety, winning awards from Euro NCAP and Thatcham over the years for its protective qualities.
A poor December result took the shine off the Volkswagen Polo’s 2021 sales results after a strong few months in the second half of the year. The Polo slipped from third to fifth in the last month, falling out of the top ten altogether in December sales. It’s still an improvement on the previous year, where it had finished eighth.
A facelifted Polo started arriving in dealerships at the very end of the year, but it looks like dealers simply couldn’t get enough of them to maintain sales.
The Volkswagen Polo currently holds an Expert Rating of 75%, which makes it one of the top-rated small cars according to our industry-leading Expert Rating index. Whether this will improve further once the facelifted model gathers more media reviews remains to be seen.
Another car that limped to the end of the 2021 sales race, the Volkswagen Golf slipped from second place to sixth over the last two months as supply dried up.
Volkswagen sold 13,000 fewer Golfs in 2021 than it did in 2020, when it finished third in the sales charts, which equates to a drop of about 30%. Interestingly, however, it did sell 11,000 ID.3 electric hatchbacks, which is effectively VW’s EV equivalent of the Golf.
The new Nissan Qashqai has had a strong start to its production life. While it has dropped a place compared to 2020 and sold fewer vehicles overall, that’s largely due to the all-new model replacing the old one. That often causes a few low-selling months for manufacturers, as the factory shuts down to re-tool for the new model then builds a run of pre-production vehicles to make sure everything works, then gradually ramps up production of the new model.
The new Qashqai takes over its predecessor’s mantle as the country’s most popular SUV/crossover model, a title it looks set to keep holding into 2022.
Our Expert Rating report for the new Qashqai puts it right in the midfield of the medium SUV segment with a score of 71%. It’s still early days and there’ll be more reviews published in coming months, so this could change – either up or down – in coming weeks.
After a very strong first half of the year, the Puma faded in recent months due to the same story of supply problems. Ford did manage to get it back into the top ten in December, which helped it to limp to eighth place at the end of the year after tracking as high as fourth at the end of September.
This may well have come at the expensive of its hatchback sibling, the Fiesta, which bombed out of the top ten altogether after 12 years on top of the charts.
Ford’s junior crossover has been popular with critics, currently holding a rating of 77% on our unique Expert Rating Index. That remains the highest-rated mainstream petrol small SUV, with only a couple of electric models and the more expensive Volvo XC40 ranked higher.
The Kia Sportage was another car that sat solidly in the top ten for most of the year before fading in recent months, ending up ninth overall.
The strong sales results were the last hurrah for the popular fourth-generation Sportage, and it bows out of production with another successful year as an all-new model takes the baton for 2022.
As it comes to the end of its life, the outgoing Sportage holds an Expert Rating of 64% in our industry-leading Expert Ratings Index, which puts it firmly in the bottom half of the medium SUV sector. Kia will hoping that its boldly styled replacement can improve on this score.
The last entry in the 2021 top ten is the Toyota Yaris, which has appeared quite regularly in the monthly best-sellers list throughout the year.
Toyota has generally coped much better with semiconductor supply than most manufacturers, largely because Toyota owns its own semiconductor factory rather than relying on outside suppliers.
The Yaris currently holds an overall score of 70% on our Expert Rating Index, and has been quietly improving in popularity with both critics and customers over the last year.
There’s been an explosion in services which offer to buy your car (they often even claim “we buy any car”) without you having to sell it privately or part exchange it for another car.
They claim to offer a fair fixed price and a transaction which can be done from the comfort of the sofa. Here we look at the pros and cons of selling a car yourself in comparison to car buying services.
Before you choose any of these methods, get an idea of what your car is worth by looking at the asking prices of other similar cars and getting an independent valuation supplied by such as Parkers or Auto Trader.
Whichever way you sell you need to get all the relevant paperwork ready and to get the best price, fix any major imperfections.
The pros and cons of private sale, part exchange and car buying services
Most of us are quite happy to sell some used furniture from home with a web listing, but whether you are willing to sell your car that way probably comes down to your own personality.
They are still called classified advertisements from the days when you put a small entry in a newspaper or magazine paid for by the word. The process has largely moved online now, adding pictures and video walk-rounds of cars.
The Auto Trader Group claims to be UK and Ireland’s largest automotive marketplace, offering new and used vehicles both from dealers and private sellers. As of early 2022, a basic two-week advertisement on Auto Trader ranged between £36.95 to £74.95.
Owned by the eBay auction site, Gumtree claims to be one of the largest private motors markets in the UK, and its ads are free to private sellers unless you pay extra for features to boost its visibility.
Both Auto Trader and Gumtree help you putting together an advertisement and provide tips on how to deal with callers and what to do if the car isn’t selling
You can set your asking price based on the online valuation the site gives you, compared to what you may know from your own homework. Knowing the lowest price you’d accept, set a price which will attract interest but can be negotiated down. Get together a very full description and take good photos.
However, don’t take the advertised prices of similar cars to be definitive; many people over-value their cars and the end price paid after some haggling won’t be the same.
As a private seller, you have a legal responsibility to make sure the car is roadworthy with a current MOT. It is also illegal to sell a car that still has outstanding finance.
Online auction
If you’re very keen to sell your car, you can place it on an online auction site, the best-known of which is eBay Motors (which also offers fixed price listings called ‘buy it now’).
The process for composing the listing is the same as an ad. You can start the first bid at either an eye-catching low point (and set a reserve) or you make the first bid the very lowest amount you’d be prepared to accept.
Pros of private sale
By selling privately, you can achieve a higher price than part exchange from a dealer or possibly a car buying service. If you have a modified, rare or classic car, a private sale may be the only way you will find the right buyer. Ebay Motors will handle the payment from your buyer whether you are selling for a fixed price or by auction.
Cons of private sale
It can be time consuming and you can’t vet who is going to turn up to view your car. There are several scams and security issues to be aware of. Autotrader produces a free safety checklist which is available to all visitors to its site.Also, in the recent times of Covid, you may not be comfortable having strangers in your house or sitting close to you in a car.
There are some disadvantages to online auctions. Youcan only make limited revisions once the auction has started (hard to correct any errors) and it’s best you are at home on the day the auction ends to answer last minute questions. If somebody wins the auction and pays before collection, you have to sell to them.
As with a with a private online sale, even though the car is sold unseen, a winning bidder can visit and try to chip away at the price they bid for the car before finally settling (I’ve had this happen to me), so you may need to stand your ground.
Part exchange
This is an old and familiar concept. You trade in your old car against the price of the new or used car you are buying from a new car dealership or a used car dealer.
Pros of part exchange
You don’t have to advertise or try to sell your car. The act of getting rid of your old car and replacing it is combined, so you make the transaction all in one place at a time to suit you.
The dealer wants to sell you a car, so will work to make the process happen. If you’ve already sold your car by other means, you may not have transport to go looking for the next one.
Crucially, you can also part exchange your car if there is outstanding finance on it. As part of the process, the dealer will clear your finance and deduct that amount from the price paid for your vehicle.
Cons of part exchange
To get the best price you need to put in almost as much preparation time as if you were selling privately or to a car buying service.
The value of your part exchange can be affected by some quite random factors such as the time of the month or the stock levels of that dealer. With a new car, unless you go from dealer to dealer, you won’t know that you have absolutely the best deal.
Traditionally, a part exchange price is often lower than what you’d get selling your car privately or to a car buying service. With the convenience of online selling, car owners can now compare offers from different services to find the best price.
Car buying services
A car buying service will give you a price for your car, after you have described it online. It will either take it from you, or you take it to a location, and it transfers the money to your account.
If you search for ‘sell your car online’ top results are likely to be Auto Trader, Carwow, Motorway and Cazoo (all commercial partners of The Car Expert) or the original car buying service, We Buy Any Car. While the principle is the same, there are differences.
Motorway
Motorway has become on of the best-known names in online car selling, thanks to heavy promotions across TV and other media over recent months. You head to the website, enter your registration number and a few specific details about the car. Motorway does not buy cars itself but finds the highest offer from a nationwide network of car dealers through a daily auction where the dealers compete to buy your car for the best price.
The winning dealer will pay you via bank transfer, and will either collect the car from your home, or you may be asked you to drop it off at a local dealership.
Carwow is best known as a broker for new cars, helping you save money by finding dealers willing to sell you a new car at a discount. But it has broadened its offering in recent years to encompass buying your existing car, working in a similar fashion to Motorway by getting its dealer network to bid on your vehicle.
Best known as an online marketplace for selling your car, Auto Trader now offers an ‘instant offer’ car buying service as well, perfect if you don’t want to go through the hassle of selling your car via a traditional classified advert.
The company claims to offer you a value within minutes and to be able to have the car collected from your house in as little as 48 hours.
WBAC doesn’t sell cars to the public; instead it buys your car and then sells it at a trade auction to a car dealer (the same company that owns WBAC also owns the auction company). It claims that: ‘You can sell your car to us regardless of its make, model, colour, age, mileage or condition.’
After entering the registration number and specific details it gives you a value. You then book an appointment at one of its branches where it is inspected before the transfer is made. Be aware that the inspection often results in a reduction from the originally indicated value.
Pros of car buying services
Speed and convenience, without having to arrange a private sale or a part exchange. Some firms will settle any outstanding finance.
Cons of car buying services
You still need to gather all the paperwork and present the car in the best way you can.
The convenience will be outweighed by it probably not being the best price you could have achieved for your car.
If you describe the condition as fully as possible you will likely get what you were offered when you come to hand it over. However, if the representative considers that it does not match your description this could trigger an attempt to knock down the price.
* The Car Expert has commercial partnerships with Auto Trader, Carwow and Motorway. If you sell your car to any of these companies, we may receive a small commission.
We round out the year with another month of topsy-turvy car sales figures, still significantly hampered by the semi-conductor chip shortage.
Ongoing supply problems continue to plague almost every car brand, with individual results up or down depending on whether manufacturers can get enough computer chips to be able to build cars.
Because of this, only five of December’s top ten appeared the yearly best-seller list, with Volkswagen missing out entirely this month, and two newcomers making their top ten debuts.
Ford completed its anticlimactic end to the year, with only one model in the top ten best sellers for the third month running. Continuing to struggle stocking its popular Fiesta supermini, Ford couldn’t manage to sell even half the cars it sold in December last year.
In contrast, Nissan had a fantastic December with three models appearing in the top ten. Vauxhall also sealed a strong end to the year with two of its cars appearing in the best-sellers list this month, including the sought-after Vauxhall Corsa, which started the month already the unchallenged champion of new car sales in 2021.
Also worthy of note is three of the top five cars in December are built here in Britain, which is good news for the UK economy.
We’ve published our normal reporton the monthly new car registration figures, with plenty of detail that you won’t find elsewhere. So let’s now look at the mixed-up top ten results for November 2021.
After topping the sales charts in September, the Tesla returns to take the top spot once again. The American company continues to dominate the electric car scene, which will have other manufacturers scratching their heads as to why their own EVs are not selling up a storm in the same way.
The Model 3 recorded very impressive sales figures totalling nearly 10,000 new cars in the last month, more than double the numbers that December’s runner-up could muster. It should be noted that Tesla operates in a very different way to other car manufacturers as it doesn’t run conventional dealerships, so its results tend to be up and down to a far greater degree than other brands.
Tesla will be hoping it can continue this fine sales form into the new year, as the Model 3 surged past the likes of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Mini hatch to settle in second spot in the annual best sellers list, just as the year came to a close.
After taking top spot in October, the Mini continues its excellent end to the year by finishing in second place in the sales rankings for December. Despite being the oldest car in the top ten, the twice-facelifted Mini continues to sell strongly some seven years after the current model was launched, and its sales performance in the latter half of this year means that it has surged up the 2021 best-sellers list to finish third.
Mini and BMW UK employees should also be enthused by the sales figures of specifically the all-electric version of the Mini hatchback, which finished in seventh place in the annual battery electric vehicle rankings with over 6,000 sales, though that is some way short of the nearly 35,000 Tesla Model 3 EVs sold in 2021.
The Mini hatch still holds a very solid score of 76% in our Expert Ratings index, which is one of the top scores in its class. The electric version doesn’t score so well, with an Expert Rating of only 63% that puts it close to the bottom of its class.
Although it was not the best-selling car in the last month, Vauxhall has plenty to celebrate as the year comes to an end. The Corsa’s sales dominance from January to December means that it is the unrivalled sales champion of 2021, with over 6,000 more registrations than any other car.
Despite its popularity, the petrol and diesel versions of the new Corsa hold a rather poor Expert Rating of 64% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index, with the all-electric Corsa-e holding the same score. Those scores put the Corsa in the bottom half of the supermini class, suggesting that journalists are not as excited about the Corsa as customers seem to be.
The biggest surprise December has to offer, the Nissan Juke makes its debut in the monthly top-sellers list in the final month of 2021, grabbing an impressive fourth place. The first-generation Juke did make several appearances in the top ten during its production life, but this is the first time that the second-generation model has cracked the list since it was launched in 2019.
The British-built Juke was certainly helped by production shortages that have seen the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf and Polo, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Kia Sportage all disappear from the best-sellers list. Nevertheless, Nissan will be very pleased by the Juke’s performance, capitalising on the UK’s rising demand for small SUV/crossovers.
The Nissan Juke currently has an Expert Rating of 65%, which places it well in the top half of all of the medium SUV marketplace according to our industry-leading Expert Rating index.
Right behind its little brother, the new Nissan Qashqai continued its strong debut by placing in the top ten best-sellers list for the fourth month running, rising to place in the top five in December after ranking seventh in November.
Rolling off the production line at the Nissan plant in Sunderland, the Nissan Qashqai is the third british-built model to finish in the top five best sellers this month, an accolade that British manufacturing should be proud of.
Nissan will be more pleased by the fact that the Qashqai’s continued strong sales numbers means that the SUV has placed seventh overall in the 2021 best-sellers list, outselling rivals like the Ford Puma and Kia Sportage.
Our Expert Rating Index ranks the latest iteration of the Nissan Qashqai right in the midfield with a score of 71%. It’s still early days and there’ll be more reviews to be published, so this could change – either up or down – in coming months.
Usually a rather dominant force in the car sales charts, Ford finished its rather flat end to the year with only one of its models placing in the top ten, the Ford Puma.
This is actually the Puma’s first appearance in the top ten sales rankings since finishing top of the pile in August 2021, suggesting that the small SUV would have been a top sales contender if Ford had not been hampered by the semi-conductor chip shortage.
In terms of critical appraisal, the Ford Puma currently holds an Expert Rating of 76%; the second best combustion-powered small SUV ranked in our Expert Rating Index.
The second car to make its debut in December’s best-sellers list is the Mokka SUV, much to Vauxhall’s delight. It has been quite some time since Vauxhall had two entrants in the top ten, underlining the British manufacturer’s impressive finish to 2021.
Vauxhall will be hoping that the Mokka, including the well-regarded all-electric Mokka-e model, will be able to continue its sales upswing into the new year, as its annual sales numbers for 2021 fall behind its key rivals, including the Ford Puma and Nissan Qashqai.
Much like the Corsa hatchback, the Vauxhall Mokka appears to be much more popular with the British public than media critics, its Expert Rating of 68% not correlating with its high sales figures. The Mokka-e is more popular with UK reviewers, with an Expert Rating of 73% that earned it the crown of Best New Small SUV at The Car Expert’s 2021 Car of the Year awards.
Rising from tenth to eighth place in December, this is the third month in a row where the Volvo XC40 has appeared in the top ten sales rankings. Despite being on sale for nearly four years, the XC40 continues to sell well and remains highly rated by critics.
Although the XC40’s consistent sales figures were not enough to place in the annual best seller’s list, Volvo can take pride from the XC40’s fourth place finish in the 2021’s plug-in hybrid sales charts.
The XC40 has been a class leader among premium small SUV/crossover models ever since it was launched, with an Expert Rating of 79% for the petrol/diesel/plug-in hybrid version that ranked it as the Small SUV Class Champion in The Car Expert’s 2021 Car of the Year Awards. The electric XC40 Recharge doesn’t fare quite so well, with an Expert Rating of 68%.
After making its top-ten debut in October, the Peugeot 2008 popped up again in ninth place in December. Registration numbers will also include the electric e-2008. It’s likely to be a short-lived in the best-sellers list, its top ten ranking inevitably assisted by several of the usual suspects underachieving, but it’s always good to see brands with a smaller share of the market doing well.
Based on the 208/e-208 small car, the latest 2008 is rated as one of the better contenders in the small SUV segment. Our industry-leading Expert Rating Index scores the petrol/diesel 2008 at 70% and the electric e-2008 at 72%, both of which are scores that put the car in the top tier of the class – although still a few points behind the very best.
Completing the top ten best-sellers for December is the third and final Nissan Model, the all-electric Leaf hatchback. The Nissan Leaf has made an appearance in these rankings before, but that was in April 2020 – the worst month in new car sales history, all thanks to the original Covid lockdown beginning. This time around, the Leaf has more respectable sales numbers.
Providing a cheaper EV alternative to the premium Tesla Model 3, the Nissan Leaf leaves 2021 with rather admirable annual sales numbers, recording a fourth-place finish in 2021’s sales rankings for battery electric vehicles.
One of the most popular electric cars the world over, the Nissan Leaf has had a positive reception from members of the media since its UK arrival in 2018. It currently holds an Expert Rating of 71% which, while being a decent score, falls somewhat short of the all-electric class-leader, the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Unsurprisingly, a topsy-turvy year of new car sales finished in topsy-turvy style, with December’s results throwing up yet another month of unexpected results.
According to data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), it was a strong month for private new car sales, which were up by 20% on the same month last year – although it’s not a directly fair comparison as much of the UK was heading back into lockdown 12 months ago.
Fleet registrations, on the other hand, were a colossal 40% down on the same month last year, which is largely a reflection of the ongoing semiconductor shortage that is plaguing the car industry. As a result, the overall market was down 13% on last December, which in turn was well down on 2019 and the rest of the last decade.
In full-year results, the overall market was flat, just 1% up on Covid-ravaged 2020. Again, private sales were relatively stronger than fleet registrations, up 7% and down 4% respectively. And again, this was well down on pre-Covid years.
Source: SMMT
Plug-in cars take a third of new car market
Fully electric (25%) and plug-in hybrid (8%) cars took a third of the new car market in December, which bodes well (despite the usual SMMT moan-fest about government grants and charging points) for the industry hitting its 2030 zero-emissions target. It’s been another year of rapid growth for both part-time and full-time EVs, and the pace of adoption shows no signs of slowing.
This record-breaking month was helped in no small terms by a stunning sales month for the Tesla Model 3, which accounted for 9% of all new car registrations on its own. That in itself is enough to skew the numbers for the overall new car market.
Again, the familiar story of “worst-ever month for diesel’s market share” was repeated for approximately the 12th time in 12 months, while petrol’s share of the market is also starting to slide under the pressure of increasing EV demand. However, both petrol and diesel cars have tended to be more affected by supply shortages than EVs, which is effectively helping to drive the switch over to electric motoring.
Source: SMMT
Good month, bad month
Volkswagen topped the sales charts in December, while also ending the year as comfortably the best-selling brand in the UK. Audi was second, which also helped it secure second place in full-year sales. Once again, eternal market leader Ford had another terrible month to end up ninth, closing out 2021 in fourth place overall after an awful second half of the year.
Meanwhile, the year didn’t finish too well for Abarth, Alfa Romeo, BMW, Ford, Jaguar, Jeep, Land Rover, SEAT, Suzuki and Volkswagen (despite VW taking top spot for the month), who all had sales results that were at least 10% below the overall market shift.
Corsa finally gets its coronation
It’s looked like an increasingly likely proposition since before summer, and a nailed-on certainty for the last few months, but it’s now official – the Vauxhall Corsa is the UK’s top-selling car of 2021. But while that was the headline story for the year in total, it wasn’t the big news of December.
The Tesla Model 3 was the star performer in December, topping the sales charts with more than double the registrations of the second-placed Mini hatch. As mentioned above, 9% of all new cars (or 1 in 11) registered in December were Tesla Model 3s.
Source: SMMT
After 12 years on top of the charts, the Ford Fiesta lost its crown in comprehensive fashion, ending the year out of the top ten altogether. We’ll explore the reasons for this in a separate article, but it’s a seismic shift for the UK new car market.
We’ll also have our usual analysis of the month’s top ten in coming days, along with a detailed look at the overall year of 2021 for new car registrations.
Skoda has replaced the two trims in the Kodiaq SUV range and one trim in the Kamiq SUV line-up, their replacements featuring additional on-board tech that was previously reserved for more expensive models.
The entry-level Kodiaq ‘SE’ trim has been replaced by the ‘SE Drive’, which adds new 18-inch alloy wheels, adjustable heated door mirrors with integrated indicators, a Wi-Fi hub and built-in navigation, along with front parking sensors and a rear-view parking camera.
The next step up in the Kodiaq range has been updated too, the previous ‘SE L’ trim being replaced by the ‘SE L Executive’. This new trim level includes all of the features of the ‘SE Drive’, adding new 19-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat.
Skoda Kodiaq SE L Executive
Skoda Kamiq SE L Executive
The choice of petrol and diesel engine options remains the same for the Kodiaq range, and Skoda’s virtual cockpit feature remains exclusively available on the range-topping Kodiaq L&K and vRS models.
While the new equipment update for the entry-level Kodiaq is a welcome addition, it is by no means free. The new Skoda Kodiaq SE Drive is now available for £30,415 here in the UK, costing almost £3,000 more than the outgoing SE trim.
Trim level
Summer 2021 price
Current price
Kodiaq SE Drive (5 seats)
£27,650
£30,415
Kodiaq SE L Executive (7 seats)
£31,895
£34,275
Kodiaq SportLine (7 seats)
£35,805
£37,205
Kodiaq L&K (7 seats)
£41,720
£43,145
Kodiaq vRS (7 seats)
£44,635 (released in Autumn 2021)
£46,035
Likewise, prices for the Skoda Kodiaq SE L Executive trim start at £34,275, which is nearly £3,000 more than the replaced SE L variant. The Kodiaq SportLine, L&K and vRS models have also seen their prices increase since the Kodiaq range was facelifted in Summer 2021, although the equipment lists for those variants have not changed.
The Kamiq line-up has also seen price hikes across the board, and the addition of its own £24,465 ‘SE L Executive’ trim. Compared to the old Kamiq SE L that has been replaced, this new trim adds new 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, front parking sensors, and a rear-view parking camera, all previously available on the range-topping Kamiq Monte Carlo.
With an Expert Rating of 70% in our industry-leading Expert Rating Index, the Skoda Kodiaq currently holds a respectable score in a very competitive SUV/crossover market, praised for its value for money and its spacious cabin. The Skoda Kamiq is faring slightly better, with an Expert Rating of 72%, but both SUVs fall short of their newer all-electric sibling, the Skoda Enyaq, which won The Car Expert’s Best New Medium SUV of 2021.
