;TELEGRAPH CAR TESTS
If you’re in the market to buy, Telegraph Cars can help, writes head of motoring Chris Knapman
A combination of an ultracompetitive marketplace and low interest rates has resulted in record numbers of new car registrations in recent years as buyers discover just what good value they can be. In fact, there’s a strong argument that there’s never been a better time to buy one.
Securing the deal is one thing, but how do you know which car to choose in the first place? While there is no shortage of car reviews on the internet, most aim at enthusiasts who care more about 0-60mph times and on-the-limit handling than day-to-day practicalities such as space, safety and cost.
That’s why, two years ago, the Telegraph launched a new website dedicated to reviews that focus on what really matters to car buyers – things such as whether you can fit a baby buggy or golf clubs in the boot, a car’s performance in crash tests and how affordable it will be to run.
In addition to these written tests, we have made videos, more than 100 in total, so that you can not only read about a car but also watch one of our highly experienced reviewers putting it to the test. We knew what car buyers wanted because we asked. More than 16,000 people who were planning to buy a car helped to shape our reviews format by telling us what mattered most to them in their purchasing decision. A big part of that was to cut through the jargon that so often appears when talking about cars. And we only conduct our full, 10point tests on UK roads.
Two years after the website launched, I’m pleased to say that, while improvements have been made here and there, the general content of the reviews remains as it was, and countless readers have told us how useful they have found it. The new car reviews side of Telegraph Cars has become so successful that we’ve expanded it to include a personalised advice service. Email us at cars@telegraph.co.uk and our team will be able to recommend the models that best meet your requirements and budget.
So if you’re in the market for a new car – and after seeing this supplement, you might be – head straight to telegraph.co.uk/cars.