In 2010 used car sales actually increased by 4% compared to 2009, making it the first year to actually see an increase in used cars for sale since 2006. Despite the government’s attempts to entice owners to buy new through the scrappage scheme, many consumers opted to buy second hand, saving invaluable amounts of money in financially difficult times.
When looking for a second hand car, a good place to start is by looking at French models. From a used Citroen to a used Peugeot or even a used Renault, the French market caters for all tastes and price ranges. However, when buying a used car, there are some important points to note. Firstly, set a budget and stick to it. Running a car can be very expensive with MOT costs, road tax, insurance and repairs all causing unexpected headaches. It is therefore crucial that before buying a car, you are aware of exactly what your budget is. Even though the seller will try to convince you otherwise, you should not go over budget unless you really can afford to.
Secondly, test drive the vehicle. Most second hand cars are ‘sold as seen’, which means that they come without a warranty or guarantee. By test driving the car yourself, you can be sure that you are getting a good deal without any nasty surprises later down the line.
Finally, do your homework. Use one of the hundreds of car valuation websites to check the average price of any used car and ensure you will not end up paying over the odds for the car you want.
Car leasing is a cost-effective way of owning a new car. One car brand considered ‘lease-friendly’ is the Peugeot.
If you’re a tourist looking to lease a car for a short duration, you can avail yourself of the Peugeot Buyback Lease programme. Since foreigners are exempt from paying taxes on brand-new cars, they can lease the car during their stay in the UK, and not have to pay the associated taxes. Then once the leasing contract expires, a UK company can buy the car back from them. This setup is helpful to both parties as tourists get to drive around in a new car while car companies can buy brand-new cars without having to pay taxes.
Residents of the UK can lease a Peugeot by getting a contract hire agreement. Peugeot leasing has very few basic requirements but some companies tend to impose regulations of their own. Some companies require you to rent the car in advance first to test it before leasing it. Almost all payments are done on a monthly basis and all leasing contracts have a limit on how many miles you can drive with the Peugeot. The average is 10,000 miles per year, and companies impose a charge if you go over the limit.
The only downside to this arrangement is that the Peugeot is a leasing favourite so most companies might only have few left in stock. Check out local car leasing companies to see if they have one available and ask for a price quote to get the best deal possible.
The 307 had acquired a rather ropey reputation; happily, it’s replacement, the 308, does much better on all fronts. Whilst its firm chassis has a tendency to convey every jolt into your backbone on bumpy terrain, on good road surfaces it’s better than fine.
It’s more spacious than the 307, although this seems to have been used to good effect in the cabin with little left over to improve appreciably on the boot space, which remains a little miserly. The interior spec of the cabin, however, is a vast improvement in quality on the 307. It’s stylish without quite making it to ‘classy.’
Whilst it doesn’t handle spectacularly, it is by no means poor and is certainly above average; it’s just that the competition for this range of vehicle is getting better and better, not least from Korea, and Peugeot needs to deliver more than ‘good enough’ to stay ahead. For a French hatchback, the steering is not as taught and responsive as you might have come to expect but it is respectable and it would be exaggerating to suggest that it is poor.
There are a range of engines available but the most solid and reliable are the diesels; the model is a fairly bulky beast so it might be wise to opt for the 2.0 litre HDi, which delivers both power and smooth running.
