Fresh insights into the luxury automotive market in the UK shine a spotlight on Scotland, particularly Glasgow and Edinburgh, as the top destinations for discerning buyers in search of pre-owned luxury cars.

This comprehensive analysis, conducted by Regtransfers, delved deep into the data of online listings for luxury cars, with a mission to uncover the perfect blend of competitive pricing, low mileage, and a limited number of previous owners. This, in turn, led to the identification of prime opportunities for savvy luxury car enthusiasts on the hunt for their dream ride.

Researchers meticulously scrutinized a vast sample market comprising over 25,000 current vehicle listings, all located within a 20-mile radius of London and major cities across the UK. Concentrating on renowned luxury brands such as Porsche, Lamborghini, Tesla, and Rolls-Royce, the investigation conducted by the personalised number plate provider unveiled Glasgow and Edinburgh as the crème de la crème, offering the most favorable combination of attributes that prospective buyers typically consider when in the market for a pre-owned high-end automobile.

The study revealed that the average price for pre-owned luxury vehicles in the UK stands at £52,452. These vehicles typically have an average of 39,211 miles on the odometer and are approximately 5.6 years old. Remarkably, despite the UK’s general trend of averaging 7,400 miles driven per year, the luxury cars within the study sample showcased notably lower mileage, clocking in at an annual average of 6,930 miles.

Every city underwent a comprehensive evaluation, with their rankings determined by their collective performance in various categories including price, mileage, age, and the number of previous owners.

The assessment also considered their competitiveness within the broader market. When focusing exclusively on price, it was evident that neither Glasgow nor Edinburgh offered the most budget-friendly options among the UK’s second-hand luxury car offerings. Surprisingly, Bristol emerged as the city with the most affordable pre-owned luxury vehicles, boasting an average price of £47,079, more than £5,000 below the national average for the sample market.

Mark Trimbee, the CEO of Regtransfers, emphasized that experienced buyers should avoid making decisions solely based on price. He noted that while the allure of lower prices, as seen in Bristol, may initially seem appealing, it can often be a signal of lower quality or hidden costs down the line. The true value in this context extends beyond the initial purchase price; it encompasses the vehicle’s history, condition, and longevity. In the luxury car market, deals that appear too good to be true often turn out to be just that.

While Glasgow ranked 7th in price (approximately £2,089 above the average), the city excelled in other areas. It predominantly featured newer cars with fewer previous owners and below-average mileage, ranking first in both of these categories. Similarly, Edinburgh’s above-average price of £55,275 was balanced by its strong performance in mileage, age, and previous ownership history.

London emerged as the least competitive market for luxury cars. The UK capital had the highest average price of £59,645, which was £7,193 above the national average, and the second-highest mileage of 40,885. Second-hand luxury cars in London were generally pricier, older, had more miles on the clock, and had more previous owners, making it a less appealing destination for prospective buyers. Mark Trimbee pointed out that London’s robust economy naturally inflated the luxury car market, driving prices upwards. He also found it intriguing that the data revealed higher mileage on luxury vehicles in London, despite the city’s reputation for discouraging extensive driving, prompting questions about the preferences and habits of luxury car owners in the capital.

Market Share of Luxury Vehicles 

While the research offers valuable insights into the thriving second-hand luxury vehicle market, it also delves into the “nearly new” segment, focusing on vehicles that are closest to the latest offerings and fall within the 0-3-year-old category. This specific segment caters to buyers in search of more recent models with minimal prior ownership, striking a balance between luxury and cost-effectiveness.

Unsurprisingly, when examining the newer cars in this category, we observe higher price figures. The average local prices in London and Birmingham reach a substantial £91,346 and £86,195, respectively, making them the two most expensive markets for nearly new luxury vehicles. Once again, Bristol emerges as the most budget-friendly region for purchasing newer models, though these vehicles are in higher demand. Notably, the sample market consisted of only 570 listings within a 20-mile radius of the city center. In contrast, Nottingham, Manchester, and London boasted close to or above 1,000 listings for newer luxury cars, indicating a significantly larger supply of such vehicles in these areas, roughly twice as many as in Bristol.

Most Popular Luxury Car Models 

When we focus on the most popular luxury models from each brand, we find familiar names that clearly lead their categories. For example, the Aston Martin Vantage, Bentley Continental, Lotus Emira, and Porsche 911 each represent a significant portion of their brand’s listings. In contrast, Maserati, Lamborghini, and Dodge are less common in the UK, with fewer ads for these luxury cars in the dataset.

An interesting trend emerges when we consider electric vehicles in the chart below. The Tesla Model 3 emerges as a standout, representing two-thirds of all Tesla cars in the sample market data. Meanwhile, the Polestar 2 captures almost 100% of the market share. Given that electric cars are relatively new entrants in the luxury car market, and with fewer models available when compared to well-established giants like Porsche or Bentley, it’s highly likely that their popularity will continue to grow among new models in the future.

“With this data, an interesting question arises as to whether we’re looking at popular or unpopular vehicles”, comments Trimbee. “One could argue the case of fewer adverts indicating a sense of rarity and, therefore, greater popularity. This seems unlikely to be the case, though, as the Porsche 911 and Jaguar F-Pace are exceptionally popular cars among enthusiasts, and there are plenty up for grabs.”

Assessing the full findings of the study, Trimbee summarises:

“When looking for a new car – luxury or otherwise – it’s important to do your research and make sure you’re getting the best value for your money; price isn’t everything! If you’re selling, keeping track of market trends is vital for making the best case for your vehicle and selling at the right time to get the maximum return on your investment. Whether buying, selling or just keeping an eye on the market, I hope this information provides useful insights.”

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