Coronavirus crisis sparks huge discounts on new 70-plate cars as dealers slash up to a FIFTH off prices
THE coronavirus crisis has sparked huge discounts on new 70-plate cars as dealers slash prices.
September is usually the second-biggest month for new car registrations after March as the latest plates are launched.
New 70 plates will arrive next month, and analysis by What Car? has found that drivers can save more than 20 per cent on cars - including Britain's most-popular SUV, the Nissan Qashqai.
Mystery shoppers negotiated the best deals on new cars across the UK for What Car? and found that prices have dropped by 7.7 per cent on average - a saving of £3,066.
The Qashqai can be bought for 21 per cent cheaper than usual, while a Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan can be bought for 19 per cent less.
Small cars including the Nissan Micra and Seat Ibiza can be purchased for 16 per cent less than retail, What Car? reported.
Other popular models included in the discount list include the BMW X2, Seat Ateca, Suzuki S-Cross and the Vauxhall Grandland X.
The BMW 2 Series Coupe can be bought at a 14 per cent discount, while the Mini Convertible had its price slashed by 17 per cent.
Drivers looking for family cars can get a 16 per cent discount on the hybrid BMW 5 Series or 21 per cent off the Volkswagen Touran.
Car sales are down 42 per cent compared to the same time last year.
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The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is looking at September as the key month to prove if the motoring sector can recover from the impact of Covid-19.
What Car? editor Steve Huntingford said lockdown meant September had the potential to be the biggest car-buying month this year.
"With all sales now crucial to the industry's efforts to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 there are some terrific discounts available to try and tempt car buyers back into showrooms," he said.
