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Thousands and thousands of drivers warned to not make £1,000 mistake in 2026

There are some easy steps automotive house owners can take to keep away from this

The typical used automotive is now priced at £17,103 (Picture: Getty)

Drivers who skimp on cleansing and presentation earlier than promoting their automotive may very well be throwing away greater than £1,000 – even when the automobile is mechanically sound.

Consumers make snap judgements primarily based on how a automotive seems to be, and shortly demand cash off if it seems scruffy, unloved or poorly maintained, in response to Autotrader analysis.

In a nationally consultant survey of greater than 2,000 UK motorists, 9 in ten consumers mentioned poor presentation would cease them paying the complete asking value for an in any other case sound automotive.

Practically 70% mentioned they’d anticipate a minimum of 6% off if a automotive seems to be untidy, whereas simply 9% would pay full value no matter look.

With the common used automotive now priced at £17,103, a 6% low cost alone wipes round £1,026 off the sale value – and lots of consumers anticipate way more.

Autotrader discovered the most typical low cost demanded for a poorly offered automotive falls within the 6–10% vary, cited by 35% of consumers, whereas 33% mentioned they’d push for 11–20% off, purely primarily based on look.

Which means a scarcity of fundamental preparation may price sellers £1,000 to £1,700 – with no single fault beneath the bonnet.

Autotrader’s car-selling knowledgeable Erin Baker mentioned: “We regularly discuss staging in terms of promoting homes, however the identical psychology applies to used vehicles.

“Consumers make a judgement in seconds, and if a automotive seems to be unloved, they instantly begin negotiating, even when it’s mechanically sound.”

Crucially, presentation additionally shapes consumers’ views on reliability. Greater than three quarters (77%) mentioned a clear automotive makes them consider the proprietor has sorted it mechanically as effectively.

Metropolis

Imply anticipated low cost (%)

Equal discount (£)

Newcastle

10.88%

£1,859.98

Glasgow

10.40%

£1,778.71

Southampton

9.76%

£1,669.75

Leeds

9.59%

£1,640.18

Liverpool

9.51%

£1,626.00

Plymouth

9.41%

£1,610.19

London

9.30%

£1,589.58

Sheffield

9.30%

£1,589.58

Bristol

9.18%

£1,570.06

Manchester

9.18%

£1,570.06

Birmingham

8.72%

£1,491.56

Edinburgh

8.69%

£1,486.25

Norwich

8.67%

£1,482.83

Nottingham

8.61%

£1,472.47

Brighton

8.09%

£1,383.63

Cardiff

8.03%

£1,373.37

Belfast

7.83%

£1,339.40

*Primarily based on a median used automotive value of £17,103.

The findings underline a stark warning for sellers: failing to scrub, tidy and current a automotive correctly can price excess of the worth of a valet — and in some elements of the nation, practically £2,000 off the ultimate deal.

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