Latest news with #Carwow
Auto Express
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Electric car drivers won't ever go back to petrol or diesel
It's a conversation we're having often with industry figures – how do we kick the UK's electric car market into life? Truth is, the majority of EV drivers (with a few exceptions) won't ever go back to petrol or diesel. If it works for you, then it works. That likely requires the ability to charge at home, but the point remains that a high proportion of EV drivers are happy with their choice. Nissan's figures show 95 per cent want another EV; Ford says 89 per cent of EV drivers don't go back to ICE; and our own Carwow Group data at Auto Express shows that 82 per cent of EV drivers say the same tech would be their first choice when they change vehicles. So there's clearly very little regret from those who've made the switch. Advertisement - Article continues below So why is there still negativity about EVs? I get why full-on car lovers, people without off-street charging, and those who do regular journeys of more than 200 miles aren't keen. But for most, I think it's a comfort blanket of the familiar. That's why we need to incentivise the transition. I'm not going to get into environmental arguments – that's a topic for another time – but governments feel the case is proven that EVs are better in terms of air quality, and they're the ones dictating the direction of travel. It's coming whether we like it or not. But people clearly need a little help to convince them to go electric. It's worked brilliantly for company cars, because the Benefit-in-Kind tax regime has made EVs such a financial open goal. But for private buyers? Not so much. Obviously, there's a question about whether we should be artificially boosting the EV market at all. If the tech is that good, why not give it time to be adopted organically rather than forced through? Humans are creatures of habit and, early adopters aside, tend to gravitate to what they know. Especially when there's scaremonger-fuelled fear that the regular journey you've managed in an ICE car for many years will suddenly become a problem-littered hell drive. Two things that would help would be to reduce the cost of public charging – easily achieved by cutting the rate of VAT from 20 per cent to 5 per cent on electricity (as it is at home) – and by coming up with ways to boost the used market. More used demand means values rise, leasing rates go down and more people can go for a new EV. Do you agree with Paul? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section...
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
DVLA changes for millions leave drivers confused
A survey found that of the 62% of drivers who said they did not fully understand the changes, nearly two thirds (64%) are unsure whether their own tax has actually gone up According to new research from online car marketplace Carwow, changes to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) set to take effect from April 1, 2025 have left millions of UK drivers feeling uncertain and ill-informed. Despite the extensive reforms - which will impact all UK motorists, including those who own petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric vehicles - nearly six in ten (62%) respondents confessed they did not fully comprehend the changes, while almost two-thirds (64%) are unsure whether their own car tax has actually risen. The revised VED system has introduced a flat £195 annual rate for most vehicles and abolished the longstanding exemption for electric vehicles (EVs). Many newly registered EVs are now also subject to the Expensive Car Supplement, which applies to vehicles priced over £40,000 - a threshold that affects approximately 70% of new EVs. However, more than half (53%) of UK motorists admit they still don't know how much the changes will cost them in monetary terms, highlighting a worrying lack of clarity around one of the most fundamental costs of car ownership, according to Carwow. Carwow's study also discovered that more than half (52%) of UK motorists believe the government should be doing more to support consumers' transition towards EVs – such as offering incentives and tax reliefs where possible, reports Lancs Live. Despite this, the majority of respondents (58%) still believe the changes to VED, which now involve taxing EV owners, would not deter them from going electric in the future. The head of editorial at Carwow, Iain Reid, outlined upcoming adjustments to car tax rates set to take effect in the coming year, noting: "Road tax might not be the most exciting part of owning a car, but it's one of the most important - especially when changes impact every driver in the UK. Our research shows just how much confusion still exists post-April and highlights the urgent need for clearer communication from the government." He continued to explain the implications of the new Vehicle Excise Duty (VED): "From April 1, 2025, the VED system changed significantly. Fully electric vehicles are no longer exempt - with new EVs paying a first-year rate of just £10, followed by a flat standard rate of £195. EVs registered between April 2017 and March 2025 now also pay the full standard rate per year." Reid also highlighted additional costs for owners of pricier EVs: "On top of this, the Expensive Car Supplement now applies to EVs for the first time - so if your car costs over £40,000, you're paying an additional £425 per year for five years, meaning an annual road tax bill of £620 from your second year of ownership. Most hybrids have also lost their previous VED discount, and petrol and diesel VED rates have increased in line with inflation." And finally, he summed up the complexity added by these changes: "While the flat £195 rate is simple on paper, the removal of exemptions, the new cost layers, and inflation-linked increases have clearly made things harder to track. People are unsure what they owe - especially when taxing a car for the first time under the new rules. "On a positive note, the public's support for EVs is holding firm. On Carwow, in April we saw EV enquiries up 75% year-on-year. This suggests the public's interest for greener options is still there, but more must be done to help drivers feel confident, informed, and ready to make the switch. ". Amid growing environmental concerns, it's heartening to see electric vehicle (EV) enthusiasm remains unshaken, with Carwow witnessing a staggering 75% boost in EV enquiries compared to last year. But despite this green surge, there's a strong call for action to ensure that drivers are equipped with the confidence and knowledge required for a seamless transition to cleaner travel. To bolster a smoother shift for motorists into the EV era, Carwow has set forth its 'Future of Motoring Manifesto', an ambitious 10-point blueprint tailored to accelerate the uptake of EVs and strengthen motorists' confidence on the roads.
Scotsman
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
BMW 1 Series and Skoda Koqiaq the most in-demand cars in Aberdeen right now
New data reveals a strong demand for German marques car brands among dealers in Aberdeen, with BMW, Audi and Volkswagen topping the list of most offered makes in the region. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Carwow, the online car-changing marketplace, has analysed its platform data from its Sell My Car service - where drivers can list their cars for sale for local dealers to bid on. The data shows that BMW remains a favourite make in Aberdeen, with the BMW 1 Series topping the list of the most frequently offered models by sellers. TheSkoda Kodiaq and Range Rover Evoque models are also performing strongly, reflecting the city's unique mix of urban driving needs and rural capabilities — not to mention a preference for cars that balance comfort, capability, and strong resale value. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The used car models getting the most offers from dealers in Aberdeen: BMW 1 Series , petrol, grey , petrol, grey Skoda Kodiaq , diesel, grey , diesel, grey Vauxhall Corsa , petrol, white , petrol, white Range Rover Evoque , diesel, black , diesel, black Ford Fiesta, petrol, blue Grey is the most popular car colour in Aberdeen — not just due to aesthetics, but because it's what dealers are actively looking for. In fact, a quarter (25%) of cars in Aberdeen receiving offers were grey, which is 4% higher than the UK average. The region's preference towards neutral, modern shades gives sellers in the city an added advantage when listing cars that match this buyer demand. Iain Reid , Head of Editorial at Carwow, said: 'From premium German brands to colour trends that align with dealer demand, Aberdeen drivers are listing the kinds of cars that sell well. Whether it's a BMW 1 Series or a Skoda Kodiaq, sellers in the Granite City are perfectly positioned to attract strong offers from across the UK.' More than three million drivers used Carwow to value their cars last year, with many securing sales for around £1,000 more than they would through part exchange. With the demand for Aberdeen's most listed makes and models showing no sign of slowing down, now is the ideal time for local drivers to take advantage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Carwow offers a straightforward way for private sellers to connect with more than 5,500 professional car dealers. Vehicles are listed in daily online auctions, and sellers can choose which offers to accept, providing greater visibility and the opportunity to receive multiple bids. Thinking of selling your car in Aberdeen?
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
VW tops Carwow configuration rankings but faces supply shortfalls
Volkswagen remains the most-configured brand on the Carwow platform year-to-date*, accounting for 8.9% of all vehicle configurations, according to the company's latest data. BMW and Audi followed with 7.3% and 7.1% shares respectively. The German manufacturer also leads in consumer enquiries, receiving 9.1% of total leads delivered to Carwow's retail partners in 2025 so far. Volkswagen enquiries rose 10% year-on-year in April, reflecting strong market interest that is consistent with broader registration trends. Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows Volkswagen's share of UK new car registrations increased from 8.03% in 2024 to 9.08% in 2025. This embedded content is not available in your region. However, Carwow has identified a gap between supply and demand for Volkswagen vehicles. Around two-thirds of UK locations have a shortfall in stock from Volkswagen retailers. The largest imbalances are in Leeds, Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Newcastle upon Tyne. Collectively, these regions generate 8% of all Volkswagen configurations and enquiries via Carwow and account for 10% of Volkswagen sales on the platform, suggesting 'high purchase intent and less retailer competition', the company said. The Tiguan remains Volkswagen's most-configured model on Carwow, with a 1.5% share across all marques. It is followed by the Golf and Polo, each accounting for 0.9% of configurations. Battery electric vehicle (BEV) interest also continues to grow across Carwow, with configurations up 39% and enquiries up 79% year-on-year. Volkswagen's ID range ranked fifth for both BEV configurations and enquiries in April. Volkswagen is also proving popular in the used car market. Three models appeared in Carwow's list of the top 10 'most profitable'* used cars sold via its daily online auctions in Q1 2025. The 2020 Golf GTI ranked second with a potential margin of £3,386, followed by the 2021 Golf R (£3,196) and the 2020 Tiguan (£2,702). Commenting on the data, Sepi Arani, Managing Director of Media & Commercial at Carwow, noted that 'competition for market share amongst brands is continuing to ramp up', with Volkswagen holding a strong position but facing growing pressure from new market entrants. 'Despite Volkswagen retaining the top spot in the list of most-configured manufacturers, it has dropped in the rankings of most popular models on Carwow as a whole,' Arani said. He also pointed to the rising visibility of Chinese brands, with the JAECOO 7 currently the most-configured model in Q2 and eight of the top 10 most-viewed reviews on the platform featuring Chinese marques. Arani said that established OEMs 'need to address their gap in supply so they can continue to meet strong consumer demand' in an increasingly competitive market. * 1 January to 15 May 2025 ** The difference between actual selling prices at a Carwow auction and cap 'Retail' valuations – indicative of the potential dealer profit before fees and prep costs. "VW tops Carwow configuration rankings but faces supply shortfalls" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers urged to pick from 10 cheap cars with the cheapest insurance
You might be surprised to see some of these models on the top ten list, from a Fiat 500 to a trusty Volkswagen, but all of them have one thing in common - cheaper insurance With more cars on UK roads and premiums going up, it's in your best interest to know the cheapest and best cars to save you money in the long run. While there are ways to get around cheaper car insurance, whether that's getting a black box fitted to track your driving style or picking up and moving to Leeds or Sheffield – the most affordable spots for car insurance, according to There's a much simpler option – well, a few, in fact – and that involves buying one of the cheapest cars on this list, provided by experts at Carwow. After trialling and testing, they found the top ten cars you can buy in the UK right now that fall into the lowest insurance groups. If you're looking for cheap insurance, the Hyundai i10 1.0 auto is a good option, but the compromise with this car is its petrol engine and automatic gearbox. While these aspects of the car aren't preferred, it means that its cheapest model to insurance, the 1.0-litre engine, falls into group one of the lowest payments. Another car making the list is the Volkswagen Polo 1.0 Life, which requires less compromise on quality, falling into group three of the cheapest premium around. It hosts what the car experts have called an "eager engine" and happens to be very economical. In order to get that insurance on the cheaper side, you need to look at the basic Polo Life, but it does come with its perks. This model has all-round electric windows and digital instruments, so its inside doesn't appear to be too bare. Joining them on the top ten list is the Kia Picanto 1.0 DPi 2, which is a car with a slightly sportier feel and more engaging to drive than the Hyundai i10, while they may be identical under the skin. The testing suggests that when it comes to nipping out or driving on country roads, it's surprisingly good fun, and its tiny metre turning circle makes it a breeze for parking in tight spaces. The SEAT Ibiza also made the list for cheaper cars to insure as a small hatchback, dressed to impress without breaking your bank account. A five-star Euro NCAP crash test has proved that the Ibiza is sure to keep you safe, and it's practical too, with plenty of room for a pair of adults and a big boot to go with it. Also making the list were the Skoda Fabia 1.0 MPI, the Toyota Aygo X 1.0 Pure and the Volkswagen Caddy MPV 1.5 TSI models. As well as this, they suggest the Fiat 500 1.0 Hybrid, Renault Clio 1.0 TCe Evolution and SEAT Arona 1.0 TSI SE Edition were also some of the cheaper cars to insure.
