In this article, we’ll go through some of the things you will need to know about charging your electric car. This will include how to charge to optimise your battery capacity and lifespan, as well as which charging points you want to use for your recharging needs.

The effects of overcharging

Electric cars utilise a Lithium-ion battery to power the motors that cause the cars to operate. These batteries have a higher energy density than other rechargeable batteries available and were first made commercially available in 1991 when released by Sony. Over time, they have been developed to have a larger capacity to power cars and other vehicles and data collected by Statista is projecting the capacity to keep increasing over the next decade up to around 2,731 gigawatt-hours.

While the technology and capacity of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have improved since their introduction, being attentive to the wear that they can suffer is important to keep them healthy for longer. Overcharging the battery can have a negative effect by reducing the overall capacity. Similarly, letting the charge level drop below 30%, also known as deep discharging, can result in capacity depletion.

When recharging your EV, it’s advised to aim for around 80% charge capacity. This way, you can allow space for braking to create more energy by converting kinetic energy into applicable energy for your car’s battery. It will also lead to a longer lifespan for it.

Smarter charging – when & where to plug in

Choosing an EV can come with a learning curve as you adjust to charging rather than filling up with petrol. Knowing how much distance you can achieve without needing to stop to recharge will make your vehicle use more efficient.

Slow charge points are better for cars that are parked for longer and gradually recharge the battery, making it better suited to overnight charging, while fast charge points recover faster taking just a few hours. Rapid charge points, while they can charge a vehicle from 0 to 80% in about 30 minutes, are more expensive and aren’t eligible for home installation. Use of rapid charging should also be used sparingly, as it can subtract from your battery’s overall life each time it’s used.

EVs come with the added benefit of being able to have a charge point installed at your home. In fact, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) has introduced grant schemes for home-charger installations, offering to cover up to 75% of costs with a £350 limit. Slow charge points are often preferable for homes, as they’re better for building the charge back gradually, such as overnight.

Timing your charge is as important as knowing when to begin charging it. For example, if you have a home charge point installed, and you’re looking to charge overnight while you sleep, it’s important to remember not to overcharge it. If the one you have installed has a timer, it would be beneficial to set it so it turns off the chargepoint at least an hour prior to the vehicle being used. That way, it can be ready to go without the worry of the battery deteriorating faster.

• Around 6,000 staff are employed at the park by international biotech and pharmaceutical companies, including the largest COVID vaccine production facility in the world.

• Pharmaserv has teamed up with transport company, Liftango to implement a climate-positive carpooling platform, improving the overall commute experience.

Pharmaserv Pairs Up With Liftango

Partner of the pharmaceutical industry, Pharmaserv, has announced that it has enlisted the help of on-demand shared transport company, Liftango, to help solve parking issues across their 67.4-hectare Behringwerke site, which is located in Marburg, Germany. The site is home to an industrial park, with around 6,000 staff members employed by internationally recognised biotech and pharmaceutical companies, including the largest COVID vaccine production facility in the world.

Pharmaserv provides technical, logistical, and management services at their Behringwerke site industrial park, which contains 200 buildings amalgamating a net floor space of 300,000 square metres. More than 80,000 square metres of parking space will be used to increase production facilities. Therefore, instead of increasing its investment in parking infrastructure, Pharmaserv has chosen a more sustainable option through Liftango’s innovative carpooling service. Through this service, Pharmaserv is working towards reducing reliance on single-occupancy vehicles travelling to the site, in an effort to reduce carbon emissions, whilst simultaneously providing an efficient, easy-to-use transport option for many on-site staff.

Elisa Fritsch, Site Services at Pharmaserv, said: “We chose Liftango because of their ability to help us utilise our existing parking infrastructure more efficiently, reduce traffic density on-site and minimise the environmental impact of employees driving to work. Through Liftango’s platform, we are able to issue exclusive parking to people who carpool, thus saving time looking for parking. In addition, the operations data provided gives us valuable insights to monitor and manage a successful program.”

Liftango’s Climate-Positive Carpool Platform

Offering a reinvented strategy towards shared transport, Liftango has implemented a connected, sustainable carpooling platform to help alleviate pressures on parking infrastructure, as well as improve commute experiences for employees and other people on the Behringwerke site. The real-time carpooling service will allow staff to connect with others on-site for their commute journey. 

Additionally, Liftango will offset the vehicle emissions of every carpool trip made. The company aims to bring its transport expertise to the Behringwerke site, helping reduce the pressure of parking issues in a climate-positive, data-driven manner.

Liftango’s platform, which launched on the 1st of May 2022, operates on a private network, which is exclusive to the Behringwerke industrial park. The company has established a total of five carpooling locations on-site, which allows for people to match with other members of their organisations, or anyone across the park. Users are also able to send private ride requests to friends or acquainted colleagues, therefore, rendering it a seamless, easy process to find a carpool.

On-demand shared transport company, Liftango, has effectively established corporate mobility programs, including sustainable carpooling platforms, across business parks, cities, corporate campuses, and universities. This includes a multi-campus corporate carpooling solution for Tesla in the U.S., as well as a free city-wide carpooling network for Translink in the greater metro area of Vancouver, Canada. Liftango also has various carpooling programs, which it has implemented at several universities across the world.

“Helping organisations sustainably manage their commute challenges is why we built this platform. Our solutions support organisations in removing stressful commutes for their employees, strengthening their connectivity and improving productivity. Our partnership with Pharmaserv speaks to this capability. We look forward to supporting a diverse range of employers’ needs at the Behringwerke industrial park site,” said Liftango’s Head of Europe, David Mawhinney.

With the increasing numbers of EVs on the road, FindTheBestCarPrice.com wanted to discover their views and preferences. They, therefore, surveyed 2,000 US motorists exploring EV-related topics.

The survey revealed that 30% are looking to buy a hybrid vehicle for their next vehicle, 27% are considering a gas vehicle, and 25% wish to purchase an all-electric vehicle.

The general survey discovered that the top most popular motives for people looking to purchase an EV included wanting to own a vehicle with the latest technology (21%), environmental concerns (19%), and the perks of owning an EV (19%).

When exploring age and vehicle preferences, it was surprisingly revealed that those aged 65 and above were more likely to purchase an EV because of environmental concerns at 52% than those aged 18 to 24 at just 17%.

From looking at the regional data, the Southwest was the most likely to contemplate purchasing an EV at 33%, followed by the Midwest at 27%, and lastly the Southeast at 25%.

FindTheBestCarPrice.com also investigated the places US motorists are most likely to retrieve EV information. They found the top five were car shopping websites (43%), dealerships (42%), manufacturer websites (42%), online videos (40%), and finally social media (38%).

It was interesting to find that just over a quarter (26%) do not look for information at all before buying a car in the US.

The EV body types that would be the first choice for survey respondents were also explored. The top body types were an SUV at 24%, followed by a Sports Car at 18%, and finally a sedan at 15%.

FindTheBestCarPrice.com found that only 18% of females would like an SUV body type compared to 32% of males.

The survey also discovered that the ways respondents prefer buying EVs were mostly online, but the final purchase was in-person at 46%, followed by entirely in-person at 19%, and finally completely online with delivery at 17%.

From exploring regional percentages, 29% of those surveyed in the Midwest would buy an EV completely online with delivery, compared to only 9% of those in the Northeast.

Concerns ‌exist when looking at EVs, therefore, FindTheBestCarPrice looked at the top worries people in the US have. 22% do not have any concerns regarding buying, 19% said battery life, 16% answered EV driving range and 13% said the cost of purchase.

The survey also explored the percentages of U.S. motorists who have the infrastructure to charge an EV from their home if needed. It was revealed that 40% said they could, 37% said they couldn’t and 23% were unsure.

The regional data found that half of those residing in the Northeast have the infrastructure to charge their EV at home in comparison to just 30% in the Midwest.

When looking at the percentages of those who knew the location of any public EV charging stations near their home or place of work. 23% said they knew, 44% responded that they knew more than one, and 30% declared that they didn’t know of any EV charging stations.

The survey also discovered if US motorists are aware of the Federal all-electric vehicle tax incentive. It was revealed that 43% were aware of the incentive, compared to 37% that said they didn’t. The rest of the respondents said they weren’t sure.

Additionally, the survey found that more males (52%) than females (35%) were aware of the federal all-electric vehicle tax incentive.

Finally, the survey looked at the regions that were most and least likely to be aware of the Federal all-electric vehicle tax incentive. The region most likely to know about the tax was the Northeast (55%). Contrarily, the regions that were least likely were the Southeast and West (40%).

Rolls-Royce

One of the reasons that the Rolls-Royce is such a popular choice when shopping for new cars is because they’re commonly associated with the richest individuals. In the same way that Gucci is seen as a part of life for the wealthiest, so is the Rolls-Royce.

Of course, this isn’t the only reason. Rolls-Royce uses only the best materials in the manufacturing of their cars. When you’re paying over five figures for a car, you want the finest, best quality materials. You’re guaranteed the highest level of quality with a Rolls-Royce.

Jaguar

Jaguars are well known for their beautifully designed interiors and the modern luxurious upholstery. The interior of these cars are some of the best in the world, featuring sleek and up to date technology that results in both passengers and driver feeling safe and comfortable whilst out and about.

If you’re interested in a Jaguar for yourself but don’t want to break the bank, consider Dream Car Giveaways. The only thing better than owning a Jaguar is getting one for free!

Aston Martin

Aston Martin’s boast the smoothest driving experience around. The Aston Martin DB11 in particular has combined the swiftness of the smaller Aston Martin Vantage with the speed and horsepower of the DBS Superleggera, making it one of the most satisfying rides worldwide.

All of the parts for the manufacturing of Aston Martins are supplied from trusted sources, something that’s proven by their record in manufacturing grand routing cars. Taking all of this into consideration, it’s safe to say that Aston Martin lives up to its fantastic reputation.

Audi

Renowned for its large selection of cars suitable for almost anyone, Audi have built quite the name for themselves over the years. Although the price tag is not the lowest by far, the price you pay is clearly reflected in the quality you receive. Audi is a premium brand that aims to deliver the highest quality throughout their services. Not only will you receive a high return with features and performance, but when you buy an Audi vehicle directly from an Audi Pfaff dealership, you’re able to take advantage of all of their services!

Ford

Last but certainly not least on this list is a classic – Ford. They’re so popular because their cars are affordable and are created with the ‘everyman’ in mind. Some of the other cars on this list are created for the elite, as the price tags show, but Ford has managed to combine affordability with comfort, reliability and style. From the Ka to the Fiesta to the Focus and many more, Ford caters for the masses.

With a strong history in the UK too, Ford represents a sense of achievement when compared to several other companies that unfortunately didn’t have the financial backing or management to ensure financial stability for consumers back in the 1900’s.

Safety

• Forward and reverse collision warning

Whether your car gives you an audio or visual warning that you are too close to an object, this feature is incredibly useful for avoiding collisions.

• Blind spot warning

Another feature that can reduce collisions is a warning when there is a car or object in your blind spot.

• Automatic high beam

Having your high beam on can dazzle oncoming traffic, and, let’s face it, we have all forgotten to flick back to our standard lights once in our lives! Automatic high beam immediately switches to high beam when it is too dark outside, and dips your headlights as soon as it senses oncoming traffic.

Convenience

• Smartphone connectivity

Though having a radio or CD audio system is great, being able to connect your smartphone to your car for audio and media opens your possibilities endlessly. Nowadays, most of our music comes from streaming apps like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, so this connectivity allows you to play your entire library during your drive.

Not only can this make for a great entertainment system, but it also encourages drivers to use their handsfree integrated system for emergency calls instead of breaking the law and using their phones at the wheel.

• Camera systems

360 degree camera systems are a fantastic technological feature, especially if you live in a built up area, or have limited mobility in your neck and shoulders. Drivers can reverse, check their surroundings, and pull into spaces without needing to turn their head as much, making the process much simpler.

• USB charging

USB charging is an essential feature of any car, especially when the car also has smartphone connectivity. However, in 2022 it is not just enough to have basic USB charging capabilities – it’s got to be fast!

• Touchscreen

Everything is touchscreen nowadays, so why should your car entertainment system, climate control, and navigation system be any different? The most impressive touchscreen technology in any motor has to be from Tesla, which boasts TV streaming, games, karaoke, Google maps, heated seat controls, and many other shortcuts.

Navigation

• GPS or SatNav

This feature might already be covered if your motor boasts smartphone connectivity, but if you don’t like to use your phone data, an inbuilt SatNav can be endlessly helpful in your travels.

• Lane assist

 Lane assist will notify a driver when they are veering outside the lanes of a road or motorway, reducing the risk of collisions on the road.

• Cruise control

Cruise control allows you to set the speed at which you want to go so you never creep over the speed limit. Opt for a car that also has automatic braking, making the car automatically slow from its cruise controlled speed to a stop when approaching stationary traffic.

Getting the latest technology in your new car doesn’t have to break the bank – many of these features are becoming more frequently standard elements in the newest models. Even if these motors are more than your budget, enter Dream Car Giveaways for a chance to win a new car, or research into affordable financing options.

Indeed, tech-savvy people are likely to drive vehicles that are rich in modern, futuristic features. From inch-accurate sat nav systems to smartphone-connecting panels, cars conceal a wide range of surprising in-built features. However, this has not always been the case. In the past, certain comforts were hard to come by.

How have cars evolved over the decades? Motorparks, owners of dealerships such as Ford Croydon, take a look at some of the most impressive in-vehicle features that have been introduced over the years.

1910s

The Ford Model T was one of the first cars to make it on the market. Launched back in the 1890s and sold from 1908, it was one of the earliest efforts to produce a vehicle that everyone could afford. Since its charming debut on the streets of Europe and the US, newer counterparts gradually started to exhibit more interesting features.

At the end of the 1910s, motoring manufacturers began to realise that building normal glass into cars was a hazard. In the event of a crash, it could break into dangerous shards. Therefore, in 1919, the first ‘safety glass’ was developed and introduced. By shattering into tiny pieces, it posed – and still does – a limited risk.

1920s

It is fair to say that, in their early days, cars were to be driven to the sound of their engine. Perhaps motivated by the swing and Charleston tunes of the ‘roaring twenties’, manufacturers started to test in-built car radios.

By the end of the 1920s and the start of the 1930s, people could drive while listening to music playing from their Motorola 5T71 car radio. Although quite expensive at the time, it was certainly a cool and unusual item to have.

1930s

Indicators are a fundamental component of most vehicles. While it is only natural to find them built in modern cars, indicators were not actually introduced until 1933.

Indeed, credit goes to Morris Motors. During the first half of the 1930s, the motor company equipped its vehicles with semaphore arm direction indicators. A semaphore arm would both illuminate and raise outwards to tell fellow drivers in which direction the car was going.

1940s

If you have a soft spot for fast vehicles and racing cars, you certainly would have loved the Jaguar XK120. Launched in 1948, Jaguar introduced the fastest production car on the market at the time.

Reaching a top speed of 120mph, it was a must-have for all adrenaline junkies in the 1940s.

1950s

The 1950s brought a large array of car innovations. In 1951, for instance, power steering was introduced. Two years later, the first air conditioning system appeared too. It soon became of the trademark features of the Chrysler Imperial and came with three different settings – low, medium, and high.

In 1958, cars started to benefit from cruise control, which made driving easier, steadier, and more comfortable – especially on motorways. By the end of the decade, in 1959, Volvo presented the three-point seatbelt. To this day, it is one of the most effective safety devices ever made. This said, wearing a seatbelt became compulsory only from 1983.

1960s

The 1960s also witnessed a fair few introductions. From the start of the decade, electric windows made their debut in the car industry.

In 1966, fancier vehicles began to feature some truly avant-garde heated seats. Then, in 1968, Volvo delivered the first front-head restraints. These were particularly useful as they would protect passengers’ heads and necks in the event of rear-end accidents.

1970s

The Lamborghini Countach kicked off the 1970s with a snazzy feature. It wasn’t merely its sleek aesthetic that bewitched motorists. Instead, it was its impressive up-swinging doors that truly made an innovative, cultural impact.

Furthermore, in 1973, the all-important airbags were also developed. The first ones were bulky and popped out of the steering wheel. They were designed, of course, to cushion drivers from hard surfaces in the event of a strong collision.

1980s

Car keys have been around since 1949. However, remote keyless systems started to emerge in the 1980s. The first one was introduced in 1980 on the Ford Thunderbird.

As for car stereos, we already mentioned that they began to feature in cars at the end of the 1920s. But when could you start picking your own songs? In 1984, when CD players were finally built into vehicles too.

1990s

As time goes by, technology evolves and cars benefit from more and more features. In the 1990s, vehicles began to exhibit some truly impressive additions.

One of them was the Global Positioning System (GPS) – it was introduced in 1995. Moreover, from the early 1990s, automatic parking was proposed. Volkswagen was the first to come up with the idea and started working on a parallel parking system. However, commercial use of this system would emerge later in 2003, when Toyota launched its Prius hybrid car.

21^st century

It is safe to say that motor manufacturers keep enhancing cars year on year. Over the past twenty-two years, there have been a significant amount of stunning in-vehicle introductions.

In 2007, some cars were taught to detect fatigue in drivers by scanning their face and head through a clever system. If you are blinking too often or show signs of tiredness, it will activate a warning alert.

Also, voice recognition and control devices have been developed, allowing drivers to adjust various settings by voice. What is more, since 2020, driverless car trials are happening more frequently in the race to the next big innovation.

There is no denying that cars have evolved significantly over the past century or so. Of course, there is certainly still a lot to look forward to.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this short history of in-vehicle features by decade. Which is the most impressive introduction to date?

Sources

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/90221/the-evolution-of-car-safety-a-history

https://www.idrivesafely.com/defensive-driving/trending/evolution-automobile

https://www.titlemax.com/articles/a-timeline-of-car-history/

https://www.complex.com/music/2015/02/the-evolution-of-playing-music-in-your-car/1930s-early-car-radios

https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/model-t

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20151111-why-do-dogs-look-like-their-owners

https://industryomatic.com/top-5-awesome-car-features-of-the-past-decade/

https://www.insurethegap.com/articles/a-brief-history-of-car-manufacturing-in-britain

https://www.businessinsider.com/best-cars-from-every-decade-2017-12?r=US&IR=T#the-1970s-lamborghini-countach-8

Drivers in Britain have deeper relationships with their cars than previously thought, according to a new survey.

Vertu Motors’ research has found that vehicle owners name, greet and even give their cars gifts at Christmas time.

The survey of 1,000 people revealed 42% of drivers say “hello” when they approach their car, whilst 23% purchase festive gifts such as wiper blades and air fresheners.

A further 23% said they hadn’t bought their cars Christmas presents but would like to in the future.

Results also suggested that men are likeliest to greet their cars or buy them presents, but are also prone to engaging with vehicles in aggressive ways – with 73% of males admitting they show anger or resentment towards their car if it performs badly.

Further analysis revealed that men tend to name their cars after people or films, music artists, or beloved relatives, whilst women name their cars based on what they believe reflects their personality.

Younger drivers were found to be the most sentimental of all – with 18-24 year-olds likeliest to name their car, greet their car, or buy it a Christmas present.

61% of Brits admitted they gave their very first vehicle its own moniker.

When asked about naming conventions, 25% of survey respondents said they have named their car in the past and 63% are likely to name their next car.

Ford owners were among the likeliest types of drivers to name their vehicles (36%).

Some of the top reasons Brits said they name their car are:

A Vertu Motors spokesperson commented: “It is wonderful to see so many car owners not only naming their vehicles, but also treating them to special gifts and treating them like one of the family.

“The sentimentality that many of us share with our motors remains strong for the majority of Brits, from the very first car and beyond.

“More than just being a means of transport, our cars become our closest allies in times of need and often become a focal feature of many car owners’ biggest life events. There is a strong bond there, which we completely understand here at Vertu Motors.”

For further insights from Vertu Motors, visit the Vertu Motors blog.

Sets including the Ferrari F8 Tributo and 1960s Ford Mustang are being sold for more than one-and-a-half times their recommended retail price online, and the Ford F-150 Raptor is generating an ROI of over 35% when sold as used. 

Sets like the Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 and Bugatti Chiron are offering the best quality for construction, though the Sian and Chiron are failing to deliver a great ROI, often being sold for much less than they were originally purchased for. 

Ferrari F8s have been selling for around £9 more than their original £17.99 RRP, with the Mustang sets swapping hands for £60 more than what they cost originally. This means the latter are the most valuable sets in terms of cash returns. 

Full URL (and all images attached separately): https://www.vertumotors.com/news/which-lego-car-set-is-the-most-valuable/

Best value: ordered by best to resell new

Car type	LEGO original price	eBay price (new)	Price difference
Ferrari F8 Tributo	£17.99	£26.99	50%
1960s Ford Mustang	£119.99	£179.83	50%
Ford® F-150 Raptor	£129.99	£180.00	38%
1985 Audi Sport quattro S1	£17.99	£24.73	37%
Toyota GR Supra	£17.99	£23.99	33%
Koenigsegg Jesko	£17.99	£21.50	20%
Fiat 500F	£74.99	£72.99	-3%
Nissan GT-R NISMO	£17.99	£16.99	-6%
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon	£44.99	£42.00	-7%
McLaren Senna GTR	£44.99	£39.95	-11%
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1	£33.99	£29.99	-12%
Land Rover Defender 110	£159.99	£139.95	-13%
2016 Ferrari 488 GTE	£169.99	£138.99	-18%
Bugatti Chiron	£329.99	£259.99	-21%
Porsche 911 RSR	£139.99	£84.99	-39%
Lamborghini Sián FKP 37	£349.99	£210.00	-40%
Mclaren Elva	£17.99	£4.90	-73%

The research, carried out by Vertu Motors, identified the Ford F-150 Raptor as the only pre-owned set in the Technic range to deliver any ROI. This emphasises the need for collectors to keep their sets boxed and in mint condition if they want to make a profit further down the line. 

However, these models are seeing a wider release on 1st October 2021, meaning that collectors who do want to make a profit must aim to sell on their models prior to this date. 

Best value: ordered by best to resell pre-owned

Car type	LEGO original price	eBay price (pre-owned)	Price difference
Ford® F-150 Raptor	£129.99	£175.00	35%
McLaren Senna GTR	£44.99	£40.50	-10%
Toyota GR Supra	£17.99	£15.99	-11%
Nissan GT-R NISMO	£17.99	£15.99	-11%
Ferrari F8 Tributo	£17.99	£15.00	-17%
1960s Ford Mustang	£119.99	£99.99	-17%
Koenigsegg Jesko	£17.99	£14.46	-20%
Fiat 500F	£74.99	£60.00	-20%
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon	£44.99	£35.00	-22%
2016 Ferrari 488 GTE	£169.99	£110.00	-35%
Land Rover Defender 110	£159.99	£99.00	-38%
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1	£33.99	£19.99	-41%
1985 Audi Sport quattro S1	£17.99	£10.00	-44%
Porsche 911 RSR	£139.99	£75.00	-46%
Bugatti Chiron	£329.99	£164.99	-50%
Lamborghini Sián FKP 37	£349.99	£165.00	-53%
Mclaren Elva	£17.99	£2.50	-86%

Sets that require substantial construction time are particularly appealing to new buyers. Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 and the Bugatti Chiron offered the longest construction times of all models assessed during the study. Construction time appears to be a big influence on price. 

The Sian has the most pieces of all the Technic models and is also the priciest, coming with a £349.99 price tag. The Chiron had the second-biggest number of pieces and was priced at £329.99, making it the second-most expensive set.

Best value: ordered by most hours of fun

Car type	No of LEGO pieces per set
Lamborghini Sián FKP 37	3,696
Bugatti Chiron	3,599
Land Rover Defender 110	2,573
2016 Ferrari 488 GTE	1,677
Porsche 911 RSR	1,580
1960s Ford Mustang	1,471
Ford® F-150 Raptor	1,379
Fiat 500F	960
McLaren Senna GTR	830
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon	665

Although the sets above are popular amongst new buyers, they fail to deliver big returns when they are sold on. The Sian sells for around £140 less than its original retail price when placed on auction sites as new, losing £185 when sold as pre-owned. The Chiron loses £70 when sold as new and £165 when auctioned off as used.

Experts say Technic sets have become particularly appealing to LEGO collectors and players. Enjoyed by various generations of LEGO fans, this collection is having more products added to it each year. The figures these sets sell for even on a second-hand basis are testament to their enduring popularity.

A Vertu Motors spokesperson said: “Whether for play or profit, LEGO Technic sets are incredible pieces of construction for both kids and adults. And as more Technic sets are added to the mix every year, they are fast becoming one of the biggest boons for collectors.

“Here at Vertu Motors we’re always inspired by their collection of the world’s best supercars, along with some of the most iconic (like the 1960s Ford Mustang) and the ‘wonderful everyday’ vehicles (Land Rover Defender) which you’re likely to spot on the road.

“Analysing their markups is our way of admiring their stunning constructions and, when chosen correctly, coming away with substantial monetary gains!”

For further insights about Vertu Motors’ LEGO data, visit the Vertu blog.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

Vertu Motors ranked LEGO’s car collectibles according to three categories: potential resale value (for both new and used sets), hours of fun and price difference vs real life models.

Potential resale value was evaluated based on the used and new prices on eBay’s Buy It Now (Most Relevant) top result for their respective searches. These prices did not include postage and packaging and all figures are correct as of July 2021.

Real car costs were converted from dollars to pounds where necessary.

For further press information, please contact:

Carly Trigg

carly.trigg@mediacom.com

About Vertu Motors

Vertu Motors is part of the Vertu Motors Group, which launched in 2006 and also trades under the names of Bristol Street Motors, Farnell Land Rover, Farnell Jaguar, Vertu Mercedes-Benz, Macklin Motors and Hereford Audi.

Dealerships are established nationwide, from Morpeth to Doncaster, where the world’s top manufacturers, including Honda, Volkswagen, Toyota and Kia, are available for purchase.

What’s Involved in a Used Car Pre-Purchase Inspection?

At its most basic level, a used car pre-purchase inspection is a way for prospective buyers to determine if a vehicle is actually what it appears to be on paper. The only way to do this is by having a qualified, licensed mechanic or professional technician give a top-to-bottom inspection of the vehicle.

There are a variety of things the mechanic will look at when doing the pre-purchase inspection. For starters, you’ll want to check if the car has a vehicle history report. This will alert you as to whether it has been damaged in the past. Having this information will allow for a more thorough investigation of the areas that need the most attention.

You’ll want the mechanic to do a full check of the vehicle’s engine and other systems. While a visual inspection is important, it doesn’t go nearly as deep as having a professional look for highly specific issues. While it might cost you a couple hundred dollars to do a pre-purchase inspection, it’s certainly worth it in the long run. If you’re considering buying a used vehicle, especially a specific model like a Used 1500 Chevy Silverado for sale in Sugarland.

Vehicles Are a Major Investment

A car is a major investment. When thinking about things you spend a lot of money on, a car is one of the most universal items. Not only are you going to spend a decent amount of money on a vehicle, it’s also potentially going to be something you use every day. For both of these reasons, assessing the quality of the car is paramount to getting the most bang for your buck.

The only way to reduce the risk that you’re not walking into a foolhardy investment is by having an expert evaluate the car. Cars are often going to require financing in order to purchase one. You don’t want to take out a loan on a used car only to have it break down before you’ve paid it off.

You Don’t Know the Full History of a Car

Depending on where you’re looking to purchase a vehicle, it’s likely you’re not going to have knowledge about its full background. Really, unless you’re buying a used car from someone you know directly, there’s always going to be some element of uncertainty. This is yet another reason a pre-purchase inspection is important.

When shopping for used cars online, it can save a lot of time when you’re provided with some verified information about a car’s past. Many of the best car buying sites offer consumers car history information, either with the listing or by request. While this is incredibly helpful for narrowing your search down, it’s not a substitute for an actual pre-purchase inspection, as these aren’t guaranteed to be accurate.

Damage Can Be Hidden to the Naked, Untrained Eye

You might think it will be obvious if there’s something seriously wrong with a used car. But this isn’t always the case, especially if you’re only taking the vehicle on a short test drive. There are certain kinds of damage that can diminish the lifetime of the vehicle, but can be hidden to those who don’t know the signs.

There are many things that you can look out for to immediately tell if a used car isn’t as it should be. For water damage, dampness and dirt under the mats is one telltale sign. But someone skilled in hiding the issues with cars can mask these for long enough that they won’t appear to you. Having an expert look at the car before you buy it is simply the best way to avoid

While the benefits of electric cars are well documented, especially their no emissions, should the public look into purchasing used electric vehicles if they’re in the market for a new car? Here, with used Ford dealers, Motorparks, we look into the used car market.

The used car market

The UK’s used car market finished last year slightly down compared to the previous 12 months, with a -2.1% difference. However, one riser in the industry was the sales of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric cars. This market share recorded a rise of 27%. SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said of the development:

“It’s encouraging to see more used car buyers snapping up low-emission vehicles as supply grows – but those sales remain low as an overall proportion of the market. We still need the right policies and incentives from government to give new car buyers confidence to choose the cleanest petrol, diesel and electric models that best suit their needs, so that even more drivers can benefit from this exciting technology as it filters down to the used market in the coming years.”

Benefits of buying a used car

Of course, the main factor to buying a used car is the decreased value. If money is tight, then a used car ticks all the boxes. New cars are still popular, and rightly so thanks to the constant updates in technology and safety measures, but with approximately 20% of a new car’s value being immediately lost when you drive it away, it’s led to almost three used cars being sold to every new vehicle in the UK.

But, what other benefits of buying a used car are there? Nowadays, factory warranties are even longer than before, meaning that the appeal of buying a used car can be enhanced by their longevity. Also, all the gadgets the you often pay extra for when buying new may well already be in a used vehicle and this too will come at a fraction of the cost compared to buying it new.

For those of us who are impatient, you can often drive a used car straight from the forecourt, too. This certainly isn’t the case when it comes to new cars, with your car needing to be specifically ordered and, depending on your choice of extras, this could take several months. With a used car there is no waiting period. Simply pay your money and drive on by. If you’re in the Houston area and looking for a convenient option, consider checking out a reputable Car Dealership in Houston. They often have a wide selection of used vehicles readily available for purchase.

In terms of insurance, a new car is often a lot more expensive, too. This is because there is obviously a lot more equity at risk if you’re involved in a crash. Therefore, you may find that you don’t have to fork out as much on your policy if you choose a used car.

Why choose a used electric car?

Surveys have found that three quarters of the UK’s drivers would buy a used electric car. It’s thought that we are becoming a lot more trusting of a battery’s longevity than we previously were. Many of the reasons for going down this route are the same as buying new, including the positive impact these vehicles have on the environment compared to petrol and diesel cars. The main stumbling block for the quarter that baulked at purchasing a second-hand EV was due to the price.

Thanks to new technology advances, experts claim that a battery pack used in an electric car won’t need to be replaced for between 10 and 20 years and can cover around 150,000 miles. Experts say that manufacturers have now proven themselves and this sector, giving prospective buyers more confidence in buying a used vehicle.

Obviously, alongside representing good value and high durability, the zero emissions is a huge benefit to buying an electric car — both new or used. With a rise in new electric vehicle sales, we will undoubtedly also see an increase in used sales in the run-up to the ban on new petrol and diesel models.

Sources

https://www.zap-map.com/ev-sales-set-new-records-in-2018/

https://www.smmt.co.uk/2019/02/uk-used-car-market-finishes-2018-moderately-down-with-7-9m-sales/

https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/should-i-buy-a-new-nearly-new-or-used-car/n1107

https://www.alresfordgarage.co.uk/blog/5-benefits-of-buying-a-used-car-that-you-might-have-overlooked/40272

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-6060237/Should-buy-used-electric-car-look-do.html

https://www.buyacar.co.uk/cars/economical-cars/electric-cars/695/buying-a-used-electric-car