50 FEATURE
CARS THAT TRANSFORMED THE USED CAR INDUSTRY
With the 2021 Car Dealer Used Car Awards fast approaching, we take a fond look at the vehicles that have really proved their worth to retailers in the second-hand sector. 1. Alfa Romeo 156
11. Ford Fiesta
2. Audi 80
12. Ford Focus
3. Audi A4 Cabriolet
13. Ford Mondeo
4. Austin Metro
14. Honda Jazz
5. BMW E30
15. Honda Civic Type R
6. BMW E46
16. Hyundai i10
7. Citroen ZX
17. Isuzu D-Max
8. Dacia Duster
18. Jaguar X300
Alfas might be great cars for enthusiasts but they were never an easy sell. And then the 3-Series-beating 156 came along...
Until the ‘B3’ 80 appeared in 1986, Audis were just oddball posh VWs. The 80 changed all that as the brand’s first executive car.
When it debuted in 2003, it was in such demand that used residual values were higher than new prices for over a year.
Its 1981 arrival finally gave British Leyland a car that it didn’t have to apologise for, and it sold like hot cakes in Middle England.
The E30 pretty much invented the compact executive sector – a great car that arrived at just the right time.
No 3 Series has ever been bad news for dealerships, but the E46 3 Series was the hottest forecourt property of the early 2000s.
The ZX was the first car from the brand to not be completely weird – and it almost doubled the company’s sales.
Another one drives a Duster! Yes, the ad may be annoying but the bargain SUV sold in droves and put Dacia on the map.
9. Fiat 500
The Fiesta has always been a winner. But the latest one adds class and sophistication to an already brilliant mix.
When the first-generation Focus appeared in 1998 it transformed Ford’s reputation overnight. A great car and an easy sell.
The Mondeo was a favourite among Britain’s middle classes for two decades, and fleet supplies meant good forecourt fodder.
Honda’s blue-rinse special held its value like no other small car while also offering reliability like clockwork.
A hot hatch with the reliability of a sewing machine? The screaming VTEC Type R was it – and it was a corker.
This was the hottest property when the 2009 scrappage scheme was introduced – Hyundai couldn’t bring enough in.
With utility Land Rovers now collectors’ pieces, the workaday D-Max is the tough workhorse of the moment.
Jags were always cool but flaky. The 1994 XJ saloon was the first reliable one – you could sell it and not fear it coming back next week.
The rebirth of the baby Fiat in 2007 changed the company’s fortunes and even now the 500 remains a firm forecourt favourite.
19. Jaguar XF
10. Ford Cortina
20. Land Rover Discovery 1
For 30 years, a Cortina on the paddock was an easy sell. Popular with families and an icon of a much simpler time. 14 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
The S-Type replacement was a high-tech, credible alternative to a BMW 5 Series or Audi A6, with strong used demand.
The first ‘leisure’ Landy was big news. You could sell them with your eyes shut into the late 2000s.
