Page 48 - Demo

48 Phonebox Magazine | March 2025Phonebox Motoringwith Tom JohnstonA quality used car is not factory new, of course, but it%u2019s new to you. That%u2019s a good feeling. A previously owned vehicle discovered, inspected and bought by you, can feel just like a new one. There%u2019s probably that same sense of pride when you take it home and show it to family and friends for the fi rst time.So, does it really matter if your %u2018new%u2019 car is not fresh off the production line, but is instead a quality, used example?In most respects it is a new car; it looks great, drives beautifully, is loaded with kit and does exactly what you hoped it would. There%u2019s one big diff erence though: you haven%u2019t paid a new car price for it.You would not be alone. A recent driving survey from the Motor Ombudsman organisation showed that more than 70% of motorists said they would buy a used car rather than a new one %u2013 and cutting down on costs was the reason. Offi cial car industry fi gures show that 7.5 million used cars changed hands in the UK in 2024, and the trend of buying a previously owned vehicle instead of a brand new one, does not look like slowing up any time soon. Used sales in the UK are continuing to grow.Buying a previously owned car from an established motor dealer or via a respected online site, can make practical and fi nancial sense and in many cases is the perfect solution for someone wanting to get on the road quickly, safely and without breaking the bank.Even having the latest prefi x number on your licence plate no longer has the same appeal as in the past %u2013 the %u2018age indicator%u2019 number on the plate changes every six months in the UK now, so having the most recently released one has lost its appeal. There are so many advantages to buying a used car %u2013 from having all the same peace of mind warranties as if buying a new model, to taking advantage of the many perks previously only associated with new cars %u2013 and there has never been a better time to think about going down the second-hand route.Thinking about changing your car for something new? Well, it doesn%u2019t actually have to be %u2018new%u2019 new, because a second-hand car could be right up your street. Here%u2019s why.10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BUYING A USED CAR