David is one of the Co-founders at Carlover. He has an extensive background as a product designer & manager, spending the last 5 years leading teams in designing and building apps for multiple industries. He is a self confessed car fanatic and a lover of all things tech. When he's not working on the amazing set of Carlover products, you can usually find him working on his own cars!
Used car prices are still on the rise due to a high demand and a shortage of cars on the market. As car manufacturing has slowly improved, it is clear to see that car sales won’t return to normal in the months to come. Drivers are paying more than average for used cars NI and the main question on our mind is ‘why do the prices just keep on rising?’
Although 2021 was a ground breaking year in car prices, it is likely that these prices will remain the same throughout the first months of 2022. The main driving factors behind this increase is the covid-19 pandemic and the semiconductor shortage. Many car dealers believe they will see improvements this summer, however we won’t see real changes until 2021.
Summer is on the way and as the temperatures increase drivers will roll their windows down to feel the warm breeze. You may also see drivers with convertibles, driving with their roofs down and feeling the sun on their faces. The UK has the highest number of convertible owners across Europe, despite our ever changing weather.
Although convertibles can be pricey, these cars come in different shapes, sizes and price ranges to suit different types of lifestyles. The main question crossing most drivers’ minds is ‘Should you buy a convertible?’ The team at Carlover have created a list that you should consider before purchasing a convertible car.
The used car shortage has continued into the new year leaving those who are interested in updating their vehicle confused. While buying a brand new car may be tempting in the current climate, it is important to note that there are great savings to be made on used cars.
Another good reason why you should be buying a used car Belfast is depreciation, as used cars have already experienced a hit in value compared to their original list price. At Carlover, we understand that buying a car is a big deal. We have created a list of five perfect cars to buy during the used car shortage to help you on your journey towards a new car.
With the government’s plans to ban the sale of new diesel and petrol cars by the year 2035, the electric car market is gaining momentum across Northern Ireland. Europe is motoring ahead as per usual, with electric sales breaking records in many countries across the continent.
There is the option within the market to buy either a pure electric, plug-in hybrid or hybrid and it seems to be appealing to the masses in the millions across Europe, the future is looking green.
In Northern Ireland there are more than 4,000 electric cars on the roads according to NI Direct’s latest figures. With over 11% of registered cars in the UK recorded as electric cars in 2021, this is a figure Northern Ireland can expect to rise quite dramatically.
Electric cars accounted for 11.6% of all new car registrations in 2021 in the UK, petrol cars holding a 46% share and then diesel, already seemingly on it’s way out with the majority of the cars that make up the market.
With the electric car market heating up and sales rising, there has never been a better time to start your research into the market to see if it is the right time for you to go electric, and if not, the specs and performance of these electric cars is seriously impressive. With models suitable for all levels, lets take a look at 4 cars to watch this year.
Tesla Model 3
Tesla being Tesla state that they are going to alter the auto landscape completely with their electric vehicles coming to market. While they may talk themselves up, it seems that the people agree, Tesla was the most popular electric vehicle in the UK last year and they are definitely one to watch as 2022 unfolds.
Boasting an excellent driving experience as well as excellent visibility, the Tesla 3 is definitely the most popular electric option in the UK, especially with the ‘charging club’ Tesla’s can go such a long distance on a full charge and with access to what Tesla call their ‘Supercharger network’, it has the best reliability and the fastest charging capabilities of all the electric charging networks that are available
With 280 miles for journeys on a full charge, the KIA Niro is a car that is the best suited to family life, not only does it have a long battery life, but the warranty on KIA’s is the best on the market, sitting at an impressive 7 years – they really are sure on their quality. This car can be charged on your run of the mill 7kW home charger, so no fuss with the charging at home aspect.
There are some excellent features across the range, large display screens, heated seats with cooling capabilities, reversing camera, battery included and it’s silent presence, even when cruising along the motorway with auto braking when you lift your foot off the accelerator. KIA in my opinion are not known for their stylish looks, but if you are hoping to go electric in 2022, then this is a great starter electric vehicle that has a fully transferable warranty if you decide to sell.
VW ID.3
This cheap to run ‘all rounder’ electric car from Volkswagen is a great starter into the electric world, described by Volkswagen as the ‘most important car of a generation’. The ID badge that you have more than likely started seeing around more than usual is the first of many from the manufacturing giant.
With over 250 miles on a single charge and the ability to gain 180 miles in just half an hour, the ‘distance problem’ that a lot of people associate with electric cars certainly is not a problem here as driving that many miles on a regular basis is not a concern to most people. Coming on the market at around £36,000 – and that is after the governments electric car grant.
This vehicle from Nissan was one of the first on the scene, breaking into action back in 2011. With 168 miles on a full charge, this car is a great electric family car that will most certainly perform to the demands of everyday family life and as with all electrics, will save you money on the weekly fuel bill – just a fraction of the price.
There is also a Nissan + model available on the market, with just a little more electric under the hood, with a full charge getting you around 240 miles. The acceleration on the Nissan range is surprisingly powerful – you will be shocked. This particular electric car beats out competitors on price, is easy to handle and very specious. All round this car is a great start for a family looking to move to the electric feels.
These manufacturers are certainly adapting to the market changes with no problems at all and 2035 is well within grasp as the government moves towards the banning of the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. We keep an eye on electric vehicles news, carry out reviews of electric cars as well as stocking a range of used electriccars Northern Ireland wide.
As with any industry, when an asset, in this case a car is bought, the decline in price happens immediately – what could not be expected is that used car prices would begin to rise in value.
We are left in a situation now where the world is wondering when the price of used cars will drop? And when is the right time to buy a used car?
When Will The Price Of Used Cars Drop?
There are conflicting views on the answer to this question among those that are considered to be experts in the field, which is leading to a lot of confusion from consumers on when it will happen and when the best time to buy is.
The year 2021 will be remembered forever as the year that car production halted due to a chip shortage and used car prices were on the rise with the entire used car market becoming unpredictable. The used car market as a result descended into chaos, with contrasting prices that soared and made headlines the world over.
A Visual Look: Used Car Prices
Chip shortage = Used Car Prices Driven Sky High
Month by month last year there were predictions on what was going to happen and each month, even the experts were surprised by the market.
The UK government has set a deadline to ban all conventional fuel powered vehicles from sale by 3030. The end of petrol and diesel cars aims to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions entering the environment.
A report carried out by the American government showed that over 74% of human-caused greenhouse gases were a result of burning fossil fuels. By switching to electric vehicles, the UK will be able to achieve Paris’ Climate Agreement’s target of a global temperature rise of only 1.5°C by 2050.
If you are considering changing your petrol or diesel vehicle to an electric model, there are a range of used cars NI on the market. Traditionally electric vehicles seemed expensive and they weren’t within the price range of many drivers.
Shelbourne Motors is one of Northern Ireland’s most established car dealerships. Based in Portadown and Newry, their award winning dealership, the team at Shelbourne Motors specialise in a number of services, including new and used car sales, car rental, motability, fleet and body shop, and also servicing and maintenance.
The team at Shelbourne Motors have a fantastic knowledge of cars and other vehicles. With one of the largest ranges of used cars NI, they have something to suit everyone’s needs.
At Shelbourne Motors you will be spoiled for choice. They are proud to be representatives of the top major car brands around the world. These include Toyota, Kia, Nissan, Renault and many more!
Their range of vehicles within their dealerships offer a broad range of vans and cars that are suitable for families, daily commutes and for longer journeys.
Used car dealerships Northern Ireland wide are set for a busy month, if this applies to you, then make sure you are getting a good deal and staying safe on the roads. Driving is always a dangerous practice, trying to understand the minds of other drivers and trying to predict their next move, of course is nearly impossible.
The winter months bring with them certain extra challenges and with January being extra cold, unfortunately more accidents occur as the roads become glazed with ice and visibility is reduced.
Whether you are driving a new car or a used car, make sure that your vehicle is in good health as we navigate the end of December and the early part of 2022 and if you are in need of used cars NI wide, Carlover have got you covered with Northern Ireland’s top car dealerships there with a huge range of used cars.
