July 15^th, 2010: Research released today by AutoTrader.co.uk reveals that one in five sentimental Brits would love to buy back the first car they owned. The survey spoke to 2,370 people in June 2010, 20% of whom also said that they would be likely to buy a new car just because it reminded them of the first car they owned.

16% of us saw our first cars go to the scrap yard. As many as one in ten say that they were genuinely devastated at the end of this great first love affair – and as a result, Brits around the country long to get their original motor back again. The majority of respondents (64%) even said that the age of the car didn’t matter to them as long as it was a working and roadworthy copy of the model they used to drive – proving that there’s plenty of miles left in that old banger yet.

Still, for 10% of respondents it’s all about the new car – for them, a car that is 2-5 years old is just too old when purchasing a ‘new’ vehicle!

The good news is that thanks to the swappage schemes now in place at major car manufacturers like Peugeot, Kia and Toyota, a new version of that original motor is easy to lay your hands on. Trading in a current car can result in large discounts from manufacturers on a brand new model. At the same time, older motors can be handed over to dealerships or listed for private sale to let people indulge their desire for a more retro motor.

Matt Thompson, Marketing Director, Auto Trader, says of the research: “First car nostalgia rings true with us all. Whether it’s leaving the hand brake off the first time you parked on a hill or fun-filled road trips with friends, the first car carries with it many memories. We see a huge demand for older cars, whether it is for sentimental reasons or simply as a cost-effective and road-worthy run around. There will always be a great market for these type of vehicles – and now even those that can’t wait to ditch  old faithful in favour of a newer model can benefit via competitive swappage schemes.”

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Notes to editors:

• The poll was conducted by eDigital Research on behalf of Auto Trader. 2,370 responses were collected between 11.06.10 and 18.06.10
• Find out more about scrappage here: http://www.scrappage.org.uk/
• Find out more about swappage here: http://www.swappage.org.uk/

About Auto Trader:

Visit the new website at www.autotrader.co.uk!

AutoTrader.co.uk is the UK’s no 1 motoring website, with over 10.3 million monthly unique users, who carry out over 106 million searches on new and used vehicles*. The brand is building a competitive position across all effective channels including online, mobile and magazine. (*Source: Auto Trader Audit, January 2009).

AutoTrader.co.uk is owned by Trader Media Group, one of Europe’s largest specialist multi-media groups and provider of market leading websites and their associated magazines, including Top Marques, Bike Trader, Truck & Plant Trader, Ad Trader, Motorhome and Caravan Trader, Farmers Trader – all with the largest reach in their sectors, through web visitors and magazine readership.

Trader Media Group operates in the UK, Ireland, Italy and South Africa. The Group is looking to expand on its winning formula: giving trade customers the opportunity to choose all effective channels to market; building the service and relationship with dealers and manufacturers; and strengthening its portfolio of automotive and specialist classified titles.

Trader Media Group is jointly owned by Guardian Media Group and Apax Partners.

Contact details:

Ruth Walters/ Dave Turnbull

PR for Auto Trader

0207 608 4646

autotrader@hotwirepr.com

• 12 million Britons unaware of the rise in VAT in 2010
• 30% say they will be forced to take a closer look at spending habits
• 55% believe the increase is an attempt to make money from taxpayers

London, 26 November 2009 – New research from Auto Trader reveals that the imminent rise in national VAT will have a significant effect on consumers in 2010, with 30% of people admitting they will be forced to reconsider their spending habits.

Confusion over the rise in VAT

National VAT, currently at 15%, is expected to return to the usual rate of 17.5% next year, yet the research found that 12 million Britons are unaware of this. The results also highlight a lack of consumer awareness over the impact the rise could have, especially on large purchases. Of those intending to buy expensive items such as televisions, holidays or cars, the majority (55%) did not plan on bringing these forward before VAT increases.

The research also exposed a lack of trust in the government’s intentions, finding that 55% of people believe the increase is an attempt to make money from taxpayers. In addition, one in 10 people expect the government to raise VAT to 20% instead of returning to 17.5%. Those questioned also felt the increase would backfire in the long term, with a quarter of people believing it will become harder for Britain to come out of the recession.

Millions could be lost on car sales

Those planning on purchasing cars are in for the biggest shock as the rise in VAT is not the only threat to consumers’ wallets. One in 10 people are unaware that the government’s car scrappage scheme, which offers £2,000 towards the cost of a brand-new vehicle when trading in a vehicle over 10 years old, comes to an end in February. With one in 20 people intending to buy a car at some point in the next three months, delaying that decision could mean UK drivers miss two opportunities to save money.

Matt Thompson, Marketing Director at Auto Trader, says: “The impending rise in VAT and the end of the car scrappage scheme make a compelling case for bringing your car purchases forward to before Christmas. Our research has proven that the public is still lacking much of the critical information on both proposals and we are highlighting these issues so that consumers can act now.”

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Notes to editors:

• The survey was carried out on 6^th November 2009 among a statistically valid cross-section of 1530 UK adults by Opinion Matters.
• According to the Office of National Statistics, in 2007 there were 36,203,800 people aged between 16 and 59 in the UK.

About Auto Trader:

Visit the new website at www.autotrader.co.uk !

AutoTrader.co.uk is the UK’s no 1 motoring website, with over 10.3 million monthly unique users, who carry out over 106 million searches on new and used vehicles*. The brand is building a competitive position across all effective channels including online, mobile and magazine. (*Source: Auto Trader Audit, January 2009).

AutoTrader.co.uk is owned by Trader Media Group, one of Europe’s largest specialist multi-media groups and provider of market leading websites and their associated magazines, including Top Marques, Bike Trader, Truck & Plant Trader, Ad Trader, Motorhome and Caravan Trader, Farmers Trader – all with the largest reach in their sectors, through web visitors and magazine readership.

Trader Media Group operates in the UK, Ireland, Italy and South Africa. The Group is looking to expand on its winning formula: giving trade customers the opportunity to choose all effective channels to market; building the service and relationship with dealers and manufacturers; and strengthening its portfolio of automotive and specialist classified titles.

 Trader Media Group is jointly owned by Guardian Media Group and Apax Partners.

Contact details:

Heather Forty

PR for Auto Trader

0207 608 4658

autotrader@hotwirepr.com