Driven by nostalgia: meet the classic noughties cars which have nearly doubled in value over the last four years
The latest 00s trend to make a revival? Classic cars. New research from Auto Trader, the UK’s largest automotive marketplace, has revealed a rapid increase in the value of some of the UK’s most popular and loved vehicles from the 2000s.
The data shows that our taste for the 00s1 doesn’t stop at music and fashion such as skinny eyebrows and low waisted baggy jeans, but instead is extended to the road. In fact, an analysis of Auto Trader’s marketplace reveals that cars registered in the mid noughties have nearly doubled vs their pre-pandemic price.
While memories of the school run or long holiday drives listening to ‘American Idiot’ hold their own sentimental weight, the value of owning a car from this era has also increased by up to 94% in recent years. The average price of a Ford Focus and Vauxhall Corsa (reg 04/54), the best-selling cars2 of 2004, has increased by 94% (Vauxhall Corsa) and 75% (Ford Focus) respectively since September 2019.3
In fact – if you own a Vauxhall car from the early 00s you might be sitting on a goldmine. For example the 2004 - Vauxhall Corsa and Vauxhall Astra models have both increased in value by over 80% vs their 2019 price.
This rate of growth is significantly higher than other assets - with prices for gold increasing by 21%, the average UK house price increasing by 24% and the value of the FTSE 100 growing by only 3% in the same timeframe.4
Some nostalgia trends just leave you asking why? But there’s nothing confusing about the appeal of 00s cars. They’re simple, reliable and remind working Brits of when they fell in love with driving. While you might not think your car is old enough to be a classic, it may hold a hidden value - so don’t view it as another junk item - save that disdain for your oversized circular belts and bootcut jeans.”
Auto Trader’s completely free valuation service is used by millions of drivers across the UK. Using only independent market data taken from millions of vehicles each day, it provides a totally unbiased valuation in minutes. It is the platform to find out what your car is really worth. To find out more click here.
About Auto Trader
Auto Trader Group plc is the UK's largest automotive marketplace. Auto Trader listed on the London Stock Exchange in March 2015 and is now a member of the FTSE 100 Index.
The marketplace is where UK consumers buy and sell cars with the largest number of car buyers and the largest choice of trusted stock. Auto Trader exists to Drive Change Together. Responsibly and creating a diverse and inclusive culture is at the heart of the business. It is focused on changing how the UK shops for cars by providing the best online car buying experience and enabling all retailers to sell online. It aims to build stronger partnerships with its customers and use its voice and influence to drive more environmentally friendly vehicle choices.
Auto Trader publishes a monthly used car Retail Price Index which is based on daily pricing analysis of circa 800,000 vehicles, this data is used by the Bank of England to feed the broader UK economic indicators.
For more information, please visit plc.autotrader.co.uk
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