Brits’ most sought-after car features revealed… how desirable is your motor?

THE CAR features most wanted by Brits have been revealed, in a handy guide to help people hoping to sell their own used motors.

Help getting in and out of parking spaces appears to be the major concern for drivers, according to a new study giving a steer to sellers on how their second-hand cars could lure potential buyers.

2

Parking sensors top most motorists’ wishlists, the AA Cars survey of 13,000 Brits found – while built-in sat navs and and heated windscreens are also seen as a must-have by many.

And almost a quarter of drivers still want CD players on the dashboard, despite most new cars going without and offering music streaming tech instead.

While parking sensors are most popular, deemed a non-negotiable by six out of ten people polled, rear-view and all-round cameras also make the top ten – suggesting many struggle manoeuvring in and out of spaces or parallel-parking.

A built-in sat nav is next most prized, demanded by 57 per cent, followed by 53 per cent wanting heated windscreens which help speed up defrosting on ice-cold days.

Some 48 per cent of drivers wanted USB charging and 47 per cent Bluetooth connectivity.

Yet more retro tech, CD players, were judged a necessity for 24 per cent of motorists – despite modern systems such as Apple Car Play and Android Auto syncing songs, albums and playlists from mobile phones to cars.

Yet there was a clear age divide here, with CD players demanded by 26 per cent of over-55s – yet just 13 per cent of those aged 18 to 34, who instead highlighted Bluetooth connectivity as their top priority with 66 per cent in favour.

Sixth-most popular overall was a rear-view camera, on 41 per cent, followed by all-round parking cameras on 38 per cent, cruise control 33 per cent, heated seats 28 per cent and a cup-holder 25 per cent.

Mark Oakley, director at the AA’s car sales website, says many of these “must-have” features used to be premium-priced options but have now come standard fit in many new models.

He said: “As more nearly-new vehicles make their way onto the second-hand market, formerly top-of-the-range tech like parking cameras is becoming increasingly accessible.”

Yet he urged people not to be “dazzled by gadgets” when browsing the second-hand market – and instead scrutinise a vehicle’s history while making sure it has been well-maintained and regularly serviced.

He warned: “Skipping your due diligence when buying a car increases the risk you will miss a serious problem that ends up costing you money down the road.

“If you’re not a mechanical expert, it is always worth booking a professional, impartial vehicle inspection to check the car thoroughly and ensure everything is working as it should.”

Despite the new “must-have” list, another poll has suggested many drivers are increasingly confused by the new features being added to cars – feeling “overwhelmed” by the new technical capabilities.

Meanwhile, average values for used cars have jumped by some nine per cent from £14,000 to £15,270, Auto Trader figures shared exclusively with The Sun recently revealed.

The best places in the UK to buy second-hand cars have been ranked, including specific towns and cities in Kent, Yorkshire and Essex.

And motoring experts have just revealed the most and least dependable used cars.

2