Bristol Car Consultant

03/02/2026

2025 was Bristol Car Consultant’s busiest year yet!

I have helped clients use almost every conceivable method of buying or selling a car during the last 12 months. Here are a few examples of how BCC has helped people recently:

After several poor part exchange offers, I helped a client sell his Porsche Cayenne directly to Porsche Swindon, before finding him a Range Rover Sport to a very precise specification at a specialist dealer, and then assisting him through the purchase.

Helping a client buy his daughter her first car - she really wanted a VW Polo in a specific shade of blue! I found a suitable car locally to them that was within their budget and assisted them through the purchase process.

Another first time buyer was a burly rugby player who needed a little more space than most, but still needed a reliable lower-powered car to keep insurance costs down. Research led us to the Tardis-like Skoda Kamiq. I found a suitable car at a main dealer and supported the client‘s purchase.

Another client wished to sell a top spec Nissan X-Trail. The online buying sites’ prices were far lower than expected given the condition of the car and the options it had. Nissan dealers were not offering what we thought was fair either.
I took multiple photos, wrote a detailed advert, and posted the car on three selling sites.
The car sold for £1000 more than anyone else was offering, and £2000 more than We Buy Any Car had suggested.

An elderly client had decided to stop driving. His immaculate Honda Jazz suggested a private sale might be best. I place an advert for him on two well-known websites. But, I also tried an online auction site, and a Honda dealer from the West Midlands noted the condition of the car and offered an extremely strong price for it, well above the agreed auction reserve value. Given the ease of the process, the client decided to take the offer, thereby avoiding the likely longer private selling process.

Finally, a previous client came back to me recently saying that she was ready to buy another car and confessed she had always wanted a yellow Jeep! I helped her find a car that was also within all her other parameters, was in fantastic condition with a detailed positive history, and at a main Jeep dealership. It was amazing to see how happy she was once she had finally bought the car and taken it home. It was very yellow indeed!

Whether you are buying your dream car, helping your teenager into their first car, or anything and everything in-between, BCC can help you make the right choices for you, save time and money, and reduce your risks.

Please call or WhatsApp me to discuss your motoring needs with no obligation whatsoever.
07983 262310.

Also, do have a look at my Google Reviews and the Testimonials on my website at

04/04/2025

“So, what does a Car Consultant do?” Part 4

Some examples of my work so far this year:

Helping a client find, negotiate and buy a Land Rover Defender 90 T5, a car he has always wanted to own. This is a specialist market and I researched it thoroughly to help advise my client on the best model for his needs. We also achieved a reduction on the sale price and strong value for his part exchange, making the car change more financially manageable.

Buying a work van for a client to specific parameters and budget. This transaction again required research to ensure the best model of van for the client’s needs. I found an appropriate vehicle, advised throughout and the process was completed from start to finish in a week.

Helping clients to sell three cars to a local dealer at a fair price, ensuring a quick, safe and easy transaction for all parties.

Selling a nearly new VW that was no longer needed. I approached two local VW main dealers and spoke with the Group Buyers. I achieved a very fair price from one of them and the dealership came to the client’s address, paid for the car and added it to their used approved stock. A quick, easy and fair deal for all involved.

Advising a client who wished to trade in a high value Porsche for another model worth roughly half the amount. This client wished to reduce monthly outgoings whilst finding another Porsche that better fitted their current lifestyle. Discussions with three Porsche dealers and some financial planning helped the client quickly achieve their aims.

As you can see, these examples show the wide range of assistance I can give to both new and returning clients.

Please do get in touch if you think I can assist you!

07983 262 310

[email protected]

13/02/2025

Bristol Car Consultant Celebrates 10 years!

Bristol Car Consultant has been running for ten years now, with a really pleasing increase in the number of clients in the last three years, and a nice mix of new clients and repeat business.

Let me remind you how I can help you.

If you are buying a car or planning to trade in your current car against a newer model, I can help you. I can ensure you choose the best car for your needs, saving you time and money by doing the hard work and ensuring you get a fair deal. I can also help you decide whether or not to buy the extra services / policies that dealers often offer.

I can also help you reduce the risks associated with car buying.

Finally, if you just need to sell a car, I can help ensure you get the best deal.

Please see my website for more detail, to read my testimonials, and to see how to contact me.

Save Money, Save Time, Reduce Risk.

Save Money Help with choosing the right car for you, and with achieving the best deal when buying or selling. Save Time Let an expert guide you through buying or selling a car, saving you time and allowing you to focus on the things that matter to you. Reduce Risk Help in making the right decisions....

07/10/2024

Don’t just take my word for it!

Here is my latest Google review:

Mr N F, Leicester - “Duncan was a great help to me in sourcing my new car and giving me the confidence that it was a fair deal.
Whenever I've bought a nearly new car in the past from a dealership I've had the feeling I've been stitched up, leaving me with a sour taste in the mouth. With Duncan's guidance and support I'm completely satisfied with my new car and I'm enjoying it enormously.”

See my 5-star reviews here:

www.bristolcarconsultant.co.uk reviews - Google Search

Or see the Testimonials page on my website:

bristolcarconsultant.co.uk

If you need support with buying or selling a car, do get in touch and we can discuss your plans with no obligation on your part.

Save Money, Save Time, Reduce Risk

Save Money Help with choosing the right car for you, and with achieving the best deal when buying or selling. Save Time Let an expert guide you through buying or selling a car, saving you time and allowing you to focus on the things that matter to you. Reduce Risk Help in making the right decisions....

04/09/2024

Help with Car Buying and Selling!

If you plan to buy or sell a car soon, let me help you Save Money, Save Time and Reduce your Risk.

I am an independent and impartial car specialist with many happy clients.

See my Testimonials at www.BristolCarConsultant.co.uk

Or see my profile on LinkedIn - Duncan Wood, Motoring Consultant.

email: [email protected]

Tel: 07983 262310

Save Money Help with choosing the right car for you, and with achieving the best deal when buying or selling. Save Time Let an expert guide you through buying or selling a car, saving you time and allowing you to focus on the things that matter to you. Reduce Risk Help in making the right decisions....

07/02/2024

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are finally increasing the pressure on motor traders to stop them selling insurance products with unfairly hiked premiums.

Despite my reporting last summer that the FCA’s new Consumer Duty Regulations, which came into force on 31st July 2023, should force motor traders to stop selling GAP insurance at hugely inflated margins, this didn’t have the intended effect. Dealers are still trading on car buyers’ financial insecurities to peddle these products at huge financial gain to themselves. I prevent my clients buying these products every week!

(GAP insurance is designed to fill the gap between what you paid for your car and what your insurance company will pay you for it if it is written off months or even years after you bought it. It is sometimes called ‘Back to Invoice’ insurance. This can be helpful if you are unfortunate enough to suffer a total loss and the value of your car is significantly less than you paid for it).

See my previous blog here:

https://www.bristolcarconsultant.co.uk/motor-traders-gap-policies-finally-policed-by-the-fca/

However, dealers are still not heeding this ‘Consumer Duty’ warning - i.e. to put consumer interests before their own - and this has now led to the FCA taking further action which may force dealers, and possibly everyone else, to stop selling GAP policies at all.

See here:

https://cardealermagazine.co.uk/publish/fca-effectively-banning-car-dealers-from-selling-gap-insurance-from-february/296699

This is good news for motorists as it should hopefully stop them buying these policies from motor traders at hugely inflated premiums.

It is not such good news, however, for smaller companies who have been selling GAP policies direct to consumers at much fairer prices, e.g. gapinsurance.co.uk - I have bought two policies from them and sent several of my clients their way - as these companies may well also get unfairly caught up in the FCA’s new proposals. This would then prevent car-buyers purchasing a fairly-priced GAP policy.

Of course, it remains to be seen what effect these new FCA measures will have.

If you are buying a car from a dealer and you are offered additional products, please do seek my advice. It could well save you hundreds of pounds.

www.bristolcarconsultant.co.uk

Independently rated 5-Star GAP insurance at prices up to 85% LESS than a Motor Dealer policy. Get a quote now.

06/12/2023

Used car prices finally falling as market corrects!

The inflated used car market caused by Covid and resultant supply chain difficulties, as per my previous posts, is finally seeing a tangible correction, with prices now coming down across the board, and with electric vehicles particularly affected.

If you have a car to sell, I suggest you do so soon, as its value will likely drop further during December and into the New Year.

Please contact me if you would like my help with this!

Used car prices have fallen another 4.2% for the second month in a row as the valuations correction continues apace. In an exclusive video update with Car

31/07/2023

“So, what does a Car Consultant do?” Part 3.

This testimonial from a kind recent client helps explain how I can help you when you decide to change your car:

“I contacted Duncan for his advice on what to do for my next car. I was coming to the end of a lease on an e-Golf, and I had decided that taking out a new lease was not the right thing for me.

The choice of used vehicles out there is vast and I did not know where to start. Duncan provided some initial advice which enabled me to make a more informed decision about what type of vehicle I wanted and how best to finance this. I had a test drive in a couple of options and quickly decided on make, model and budget.

I discussed finance options with Duncan - I am semi-retired so this was very important. We worked out the best options and I asked Duncan to source a car of my choice for me. Within a couple of weeks or so I was collecting my beautiful blue Mercedes A250e.

Duncan provides a very friendly, professional service, he does not pressurise or rush decision making.
I would certainly recommend him to anyone who is confused about purchasing a new or used vehicle.”

Mr I.D., Bucks.

Save Money Help with choosing the right car for you, and with achieving the best deal when buying or selling. Gain Time Let an expert guide you through buying or selling a car, saving you time and allowing you to focus on the things that matter to you. Reduce Risk Help in making the right decisions....

24/07/2023

Motor Traders’ GAP policies finally policed by FCA!

Main dealers have been selling GAP insurance at vastly hiked premiums for years.

GAP insurance is designed to fill the gap between what you paid for your car and what your insurance company will pay you for it if it is written off months or even years after you bought it. It is sometimes called ‘Back to Invoice’ insurance.

This can be helpful if you are unfortunate enough to suffer a total loss and the value of your car is significantly less than you paid for it.

However, motor traders have been charging significantly over the odds for this financial product for years, trading on the buyer’s insecurities at the time of the purchase of an expensive vehicle.

For example, a GAP policy for a £25000 car to cover three years might cost £499 at a main dealer. A similar policy can be bought from an independent insurance advisor for under £200.

Finally, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have almost certainly put a stop to these practices with their new Consumer Duty Regulations which will come into force on 31st July.

This is good news for motorists.

See here for more:

Dealers consider exiting GAP sales under new Consumer Duty rules

11/07/2023

Is it a good time to sell your car?

The second hand car market has been extremely buoyant for a couple of years now for well-documented reasons relating to supply-chain difficulties in the new car market.

My research tells me that experts still cannot agree on how long this will remain the case, despite the supply of new vehicles finally easing.

But, finally, I am now seeing a slight easing of these strong used values.

I have achieved significant reductions in price for two clients who have bought second hand recently; one in simply buying a used car, the other in achieving a reduction in the cost to change when trading in against a newer car.

The dealers were readily willing to discuss the deal, seemingly very keen to sell. This is new. It seems to me that dealers’ stock is now building and that prices are starting to ease as a result.

If I am right, and as ever time will tell, if you are planning to sell a car soon, now is the perhaps the time to do it. Let me help you with this.

Also, if you are looking to trade in against a newer car, I can save you time and effort, and help you negotiate a great deal at the same time.

Feel free to contact me for a no obligation chat - 07983 262310.

Save Money Help with choosing the right car for you, and with achieving the best deal when buying or selling. Gain Time Let an expert guide you through buying or selling a car, saving you time and allowing you to focus on the things that matter to you. Reduce Risk Help in making the right decisions....