According to a recent survey by MoneyBarn Vehicle Finance, Northampton has been identified as the worst place in the UK to purchase a used car. The study analysed used car reviews across the country to determine which locations are the most and least favourable for buyers.
The research focused on the 30 most populated towns and cities, examining their dealerships to calculate the average used car price in each area. Experts evaluated the proportion of ‘excellent’ and ‘terrible’ reviews received by dealers to create a comprehensive score.
Each location was assigned a score out of 10 based on three factors, which were then averaged. The findings showed that Northampton had the lowest overall score of just 1.84, with 35% of reviews categorised as ‘terrible’ and an average used car price of £24,209. This placed it behind Huddersfield and London (both scoring 1.95) and Brighton and Birmingham (both at 2.41).
Josh Spies, SEO executive at MoneyBarn, commented on the results, stating, "Northampton ranks as the worst place to buy a used car, with an overall score of 1.84 out of 10. Only 50% of the reviews are excellent, while over a third are rated as terrible at 35%, indicating significant customer dissatisfaction. The average used car price in Northampton is £24,209, which is relatively high given the low satisfaction ratings."
On the other hand, Kingston upon Hull emerged as the best city for buying a used car, achieving an impressive average score of 9.77. In Hull, 85% of reviews were deemed ‘excellent,’ while only 10% were rated as ‘terrible.’ The average price of a used car in this Yorkshire town was £16,425.
Notable mentions for favourable buying conditions included Nottingham (8.16), Swindon (7.82), Sheffield, and Liverpool (both at 7.24).
Spies noted, "Our study found that Kingston upon Hull is the top city for buying a used car, scoring 9.77 out of 10. It has the highest percentage of excellent reviews at 85%, and just 10% of terrible reviews, indicating high customer satisfaction. The average used car price in Hull is £16,425, making it the third most affordable option overall."
When focusing solely on price, Bristol emerged as the cheapest location for used cars, with an average price of £9,406. In contrast, Huddersfield was identified as the most expensive region, averaging £36,696, while London ranked third with an average price of £30,083.
