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What were the most sought after used cars of 2022?

Motorway Names 10 Most ‘In-Demand’ Used Cars of 2022

Despite significant challenges for the new car market – which is only just beginning to bounce back after the Covid-19 pandemic – the used car sector performed strongly once again in 2022.

 

That meant it was another good year for Motorway, the used car sales site. If you’re not familiar with the concept, Motorway allows users to enter their registration for an online valuation.

 

Dealerships across the UK then effectively ‘bid’ on the car, the company with the highest bid then getting the opportunity to sell it (provided the owner accepts their bid).

 

A high-profile advertising campaign saw the business expand further in 2022, with more cars and more dealerships involved than ever before. So, which cars made waves on its platform last year?

 

Speaking to Car Dealer Magazine, Motorway’s sales director James Bush revealed all.

 

The top 10 most ‘in-demand’ vehicles

According to James, the following 10 vehicles attracted the highest number of bids on the Motorway platform last year.

 

  1. Land Rover Range Rover Autobio D MHE (2022): With just 295 miles covered, this nearly-new Range Rover Autobiography was a hit with dealerships. And it’s not hard to see why: a fully-loaded Range Rover like this is a real status symbol.
  2. BMW 520D M Sport (2011): With 39,750 miles on the clock, this 5 Series had covered far fewer miles than most on the market, which made it an obvious target for dealerships.
  3. Ford Focus Zetec (2015): The ever-popular Focus hatchback is still a winner on the forecourts. This seven year-old model had covered just 30,138 miles from new.
  4. Ford Fiesta Zetec S (2013): Another popular Ford, the Fiesta regularly tops Britain’s new car sales charts. This well-appointed Zetec S model had covered 40,439 miles from new.
  5. Volkswagen Polo Match (2012): A popular choice for young drivers, the classy Polo is always in high-demand. This example had 67,250 miles on the clock.

The remainder of the top 10 included:

  1. Mini Cooper S Electric Level 3 (2020): 9,800 miles
  2. Mercedes-Benz C180 Komp Classic SE (2004): 12,685 miles
  3. BMW X5 xDrive 40d M Sport MHEV (2022): 10,800 miles
  4. BMW i3 Range Extender (2017): 33,835 miles
  5. Volvo V60 R-Design D3 (2013): 82,700 miles

 

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Looking to upgrade your workshop for the year ahead? Explore our huge range of garage equipment online today and place your order from the industry-leading supplier, Tyre Bay Direct.

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Product Focus: Atlas WB12

Product Focus: Atlas WB12 Wheel Balancer

In the garage equipment industry, the Atlas brand has quite the reputation. Originating from across the pond, this esteemed American brand has been trusted by garages for decades now – and its products are finally available to purchase here in the UK through Tyre Bay Direct.

 

Tweaked and reengineered to suit the requirements of European workshops, the Atlas products we sell have proven immensely popular – and the WB12 wheel balancer is a perfect example of what makes this brand so great.

 

Why buy a WB12?

Coming in at a little more than a Redback machine (but considerably less than a Hofmann Megaplan model), the Atlas WB12 really does offer the best of both worlds. Proven durability and cutting edge engineering. All of the features you need and none that you don’t. A surprisingly affordable entry point. This machine has an awful lot going for it.

 

As a manual data input balancer, the WB12 isn’t the most technologically advanced machine out there. But if you don’t use your wheel balancer all day long, that won’t matter. And on the flipside, this machine’s relative simplicity makes it easy to use and even more dependable. It’s a win-win.

 

Remember how we said the WB12 had all of the features you need and none that you don’t? Although it goes without sensors to automatically detect the size and offset of the wheel, it has built-in motors for a swift, efficient balancing process. Simply input the parameters of the wheel, lower the hood and off you go – the machine will handle the rest. Cycle times of just seven seconds allow you to complete the wheel balancing process quicker than ever before.

 

An intuitive wheel hold pedal and internal LED light allow you to apply wheel weights accurately every time, too. And, impressively, the WB12 can accommodate rims of up to 32” in diameter!

 

When it comes to value for money, we think you’d really struggle to match the WB12. Explore its standout features and order yours online today.

 

Explore the full range of wheel balancers

Looking for something a little different? We have a wide range of different wheel balancers to choose from, including models from top brands like Atlas Platinum and Hofmann Megaplan. Whether you’re in the market for a bargain manual balancer or a high-tech automatic one, we’ve got something for you. Explore the full range of wheel balancers online today.

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Buying Guide: Semi-Automatic Wheel Balancers

Buying Guide: Semi-Automatic Wheel Balancers

Whether you’re thinking of buying your first ever wheel balancer or are planning to upgrade from an old manual input model, a semi-automatic wheel balancer makes an awful lot of sense. This category is the most popular across the industry, offering an excellent blend of efficiency, ease of use and affordability.

 

We have a number of different semi automatic machines in stock here at Tyre Bay Direct. So, to help you decide which one’s right for you, we’ve put together a handy guide to the ins and outs of these popular models.

 

What is a semi-automatic wheel balancer?

As you might have guessed (the clue’s in the name!), manual wheel balancers are exactly that: you’ll have to input the parameters of the wheel you’re balancing manually. That means measuring the diameter, width and offset yourself, wasting precious time.

 

Semi-automatic wheel balancers remove a large part of this process. Using built-in sensors, they work out the rim’s diameter and offset automatically, saving you the time of checking or measuring it. Rim width still has to be measured manually, but the time saving is still significant.

 

Who is a semi-automatic balancer suitable for?

Semi-automatic models are ideal for garages that expect to do a lot of wheel balancing, purely because of the time savings they can deliver.

 

Over the course of a busy day, the time saved per job adds up – and when you multiply these time savings over a full month or year, it’s clear that the extra cost of a semi-automatic machine is well worth it. Time savings mean more work can be completed in less time – so it’s easy to see why so many garages invest in a semi-automatic balancer.

 

Fully automatic machines are available, but they come at a premium; semi-automatic versions offer a great blend between both extremes, which is why they’re so popular.

 

Features to look out for

When buying a balancer, there are a few key features and technical specifications to be aware of:

 

  • Rim diameter – different machines have different maximum rim sizes (and total wheel sizes with the tyre included)
  • Cycle time – the lower it is, the faster the balancing process
  • Maximum wheel weight
  • Warranty – this varies from brand to brand

 

Comparing brands

A variety of different brands produce semi-automatic balancers, ranging from budget options like Redback to high-end, high-tech alternatives like Atlas Platinum and Hofmann Megaplan.

 

Which you choose depends entirely on your own requirements. If you’re on a budget and don’t anticipate wheel balancing being one of your bread-and-butter services, a Redback machine would fit the bill perfectly. If, on the other hand, you expect to get a lot of use out of your machine, it may be wise to invest in a more advanced and durable machine from a higher-end brand.

 

Explore our range of semi-automatic wheel balancers

Now you know a little bit about semi-automatic machines and what to look out for, why not explore our complete range? We have a wide variety of wheel balancers in stock for you to choose from, and if you have further questions, you can always get in touch – we’re here to help.

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What Are the Different Types of Wheel Balancers?

What Are the Different Types of Wheel Balancers?

New to the world of wheel balancers? On your travels, there are three main types of machine you’re likely to have encountered: manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic. The question is: what do all of these terms mean, and what makes each one different?

We’ll take a look at each of these types of machine in the guide, before summarising at the end to help you decide which one is right for you.

 

Manual

The entry-level category of wheel balancers. Manual machines are the simplest option out there, and the most affordable, but they’re no less accurate or capable than semi or fully-automatic alternatives.

The only real downside to manual wheel balancers is that they’re less user-friendly and less efficient. That’s because, with these machines, the user has to input the wheel rim data manually – meaning rim width, rim diameter and offset. On some wheels, measuring or determining some of these parameters can be a little time-consuming, which is a no-no in a busy garage that balances tons of wheels on a daily basis.

Two subcategories of manual wheel balancers are available: hand spin and motorised. Hand spin models require the user to manually spin the wheel to initiate the balancing process, at which point an electric motor will kick in to do the rest of the work. Motorised models remove that burden, handling the balancing process once the hood is lowered.

Although hand spin models are a little more labour-intensive, they do have one distinct advantage: size. Without a hood, they’re the most compact option around – ideal for small workshops and mobile tyre fitting services.

 

Semi and fully-automatic

Semi and fully-automatic balancers seek to speed up the balancing process, saving the operator valuable time. Although they’re no more accurate, they do eliminate the risk of human error to a large extent, guaranteeing correct results every time provided they’re in good working order.

  • Semi-automatic machines measure offset and rim diameter automatically, but still require the operator to measure the rim width
  • Fully automatic models sense all three parameters, saving yet more precious time

 

Which is right for you?

Ultimately, this decision comes down to how you plan to use your wheel balancer. To make your choice a little easier, we suggest…

  • For mobile installations and compact workshops: Manual hand spin
  • For light usage and improved user-friendliness: Manual motorised
  • For moderate usage and great value for money: Semi-automatic
  • For garages intending to make wheel balancing a bread and butter service: Fully-automatic

 

Explore our complete range of wheel balancers today to find a machine that ticks all your boxes. And don’t forget: we offer PayPal Pay in 3, allowing you to spread the cost!

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Will the Market For New Petrol Cars Keep Growing? Renault Thinks So

With the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars set to end in the UK in 2030 (and hybrids following five years later), it’s natural to assume that the market for internal combustion-powered cars will drop off the proverbial cliff.

This seems even more likely when you consider that the European Union – along with the US state of California – are pursuing similar targets.

In Renault’s view, though, it’s far too early to give up on the internal combustion engine. In fact, the French manufacturer has decided to double down on its investment in petrol power.

Although our country’s roads will likely be dominated by EVs in a decade’s time, this won’t be the case for many other countries.

Most of the US, as well as economic giants like China and Japan, are yet to commit to any concrete restrictions on the sale of new ICE vehicles – so the global market for them isn’t expected to go anywhere just yet.

Renault has put its money where its mouth is by partnering with Chinese manufacturer Geely to establish new powertrain production facilities and R&D centres – all with the sole focus of developing and building internal combustion engines.

Ownership of the joint venture will be split 50/50 between the two companies.

In an interview with CNBC’s Charlotte Reed, Renault’s Chief Financial Officer Thierry Pieton explained: “In our view, and according to all the studies that we’ve got, there is no scenario where ICE and hybrid engines represent less than 40% of the market with a horizon of 2040. So, it’s actually a market that’s going to continue to grow.”

Despite doubling down on ICE investment, Renault isn’t turning its back on electric power. Quite the opposite, in fact; it has another joint venture with Geely called Ampere, which will focus solely on the development and production of fully electric passenger cars.

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Own and run a workshop? We have everything you need to maintain, upgrade and expand upon it here at Tyre Bay Direct. Our exciting range includes everything from vehicle lifts and tyre changers through to consumables and accessories. Explore our full collection of garage equipment today.