RAPID expansion of model variations in the car market is posing the risk of growing confusion for tomorrow’s used car trade, according to car information experts CAP Automotive.

In the past 3 years, the number of new car derivatives offered for sale has grown from 2,584 to 2,984 – an increase of 15%.

This is dwarfed, however, by the range of choice resulting from motor manufacturers increasing the number of option and equipment ‘packs’ over the same period by 187%. It means the number of models which can be purchased with a pre-defined set of ‘extras’ – known as a pack – has grown from 1,281 in 2010 to 3,682 in September this year.

The figures are revealed in CAP’s New Vehicle Data database – the most comprehensive in Britain – which forms the backbone of vehicle information systems across the web and within automotive businesses.

CAP New Vehicle Data also reveals that there are now a staggering 369,257 possible combinations of vehicle options available in today’s market, compared with 177,257 in 2010 – and the number is growing every day.

The sheer complexity of tomorrow’s used car choice is illustrated by looking at the popular Mini, with 709 derivatives available as new cars today. The number of option combination permutations for a Mini now stands at a staggering 65,836.

Even a relative newcomer to the car market, such as the Vauxhall Adam, is already available in 72 versions and offers a possible 7,290 possible combinations of options.

The reason that increasing complexity in the future used car market matters is that confusion breeds caution in the trade. Dealers are likely to be ever more wary of making valuation mistakes when part-exchanging with customers, or buying at auction for stock.

Without a ‘fail safe’ valuation system, such as CAP Valuation Anywhere – which links a vehicle’s precise and detailed description with its registration number – dealers risk under-valuing or over-valuing cars because they are uncertain of their features.

It is an even bigger challenge for motorists. Without the independent guidance of experts like CAP Automotive – who offer free valuations linked to registration mark at www.cap.co.uk/consumer - consumers are even more prone to unrealistic expectations of theirs, or other cars’, true market values.

CAP Operations Director, Adrian Rushmore said: “The car market is becoming more dynamic every month as manufacturers seek to inspire their customers with the widest possible choice.

“But a look at our vast and growing database of model, derivative and equipment permutations reveals that the future is going to be ever more confusing for everyone.

“When you consider that there are now more than 65,000 possible combinations of options on a Mini alone, it’s clear that expert assistance for trade and consumers alike will be more important in the coming years than ever before.”

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