MSP Motors 39 Posted November 2, 2017 Having just scrapped through October and now moving onto November I was wondering how everyone else seems to be getting on with diesel stock. Obviously sub 1000 cars sell, regardless of what they run on (or they should!) However, I have some cracking 4000-7000 grand diesel stock that last year you would have been blessed to by at the prices I gave for them. I just haven't been getting calls on them and I was just curious to see how everyone else has been getting on. Obviously for the majority of the trade, it does seem slow, but has the scare mongering killed the diesel buyers? Last month, I predominantly sold petrol cars although I did have a 1.4tsi engine blow up, but that deserves a whole seperate thread and it's too raw to speak about just yet! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mojo121 229 Posted November 2, 2017 I've been looking at this too. Out of 19 cars sold in Sep 4 were diesel. 15 in Aug, 4 were diesel. the story continues. I think it's affected different groups of buyers differently. Anyone from Eastern Europe doesn't give a monkeys and still continues to buy diesels but it's the natives it seems to have affected - those that read the papers and listen to the news and take it as gospel. We just have to wait until their common sense prevails or they forget... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sparky 274 Posted November 2, 2017 My own view is that folk are not switching to diesel like they used to, but those that have diesel will still upgrade to diesel and why wouldn't they? My customers in a rural part of the world still want good economy and low tax, so there really is no other option. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DHill 16 Posted November 2, 2017 We stock mostly ex fleet cars so they're all pretty much diesels between 4-7k. The last few months had felt slower than usual so we got a few cheap petrols in to see what would happen. Second half of October, we almost sold out, all the diesels have gone and I'm left with the petrol cars although have sold a few of them too. No one seemed to be complaining about diesels, they all seemed bothered about low road tax and cheaper fuel costs. Can't understand this game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trident 24 Posted November 2, 2017 Just been having a conversation a few minutes ago with someone who specialises in diesel engine repairs, they have been round the main dealers and say that 95% of new car sales is petrol shocking stats if anywhere near true !!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 704 Posted November 2, 2017 Book on ex fleet diesels is dropping like a stone.Its great news,we are buying and paying over book.When the punters come back out and compare equivalent petrol prices,they will be back to diesels.This may not apply in the South East,the average punter elsewhere may not be as PC and in my experience punters just want a better,newer car to park at the door to impress and if it does good mpg that is even better.In the meantime ,if you think your diesel stock stands too high,you just have to reduce it and take a hit and restock.Any comments please ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
It's me 615 Posted November 2, 2017 if you live in a city then its the fear of councils putting on the congestion charge as its shoved down our throats most nights if you live in the country you buy diesel and if in the right area probably run it on red anyway if it can safely or you dont know/care road tax too £30 a blob a year and it does 2000 miles a year,you cant tell them and if you do they think your car has a problem all customers are idiots Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grant8064 219 Posted November 3, 2017 We're just outside Brighton and used to stock probably 50/50 on fuel type. About four months ago we simply stopped buying diesels predicting that they would die a death locally and we called it right. Managed to clear out most of the remaining stock and now we're almost exclusively petrol. Even big tax SUV stuff like Jeeps and Kugas need to be petrol here now. It's the first question on punters lips when they walk on the forecourt with us. I'd put it solely down to location, we're next to Brighton with lots of London area commuters. Traffic here is awful too so diesels never made much sense locally anyway. Add to that loads of vegan, hippy greens and it makes sense. Our stock turnover can sometimes be a bit slow too so having a load of diesels owing strong money that are collapsing in value was a scary proposition too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trade vet 704 Posted November 3, 2017 It's 1974 again !.... Our guys sell 90% ex fleet diesels and diesels are hard work at the moment.However,I never seen the stock so cheap since the 74 fuel crisis when 2Ltr and over stuff was shunned by the trade and finance companies...e.g. just got delivered a 3 year old Volvo( list price £30k) which was hammer down £6k.In 74,I recall we just filled our boots with big daft cars and we made a killing before prices rose ....I know,past glories again ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lastyboy 23 Posted November 3, 2017 Ive been buying Diesels here in Norfolk . A few months ago they dropped hard and i bought loads of them. Same the month after and sold the lot. Unfortunately a few dealers have now got wise to this and theyve crept up again in price. That said we are in a rural area but people dont seem bothered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rory RSC 596 Posted November 4, 2017 11 hours ago, trade vet said: It's 1974 again !.... Our guys sell 90% ex fleet diesels and diesels are hard work at the moment.However,I never seen the stock so cheap since the 74 fuel crisis when 2Ltr and over stuff was shunned by the trade and finance companies...e.g. just got delivered a 3 year old Volvo( list price £30k) which was hammer down £6k.In 74,I recall we just filled our boots with big daft cars and we made a killing before prices rose ....I know,past glories again ! We are doing very well with Volvo V40 R Designs at the moment. Good margin across them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
