new cars overtaken by second-hand

Demand has plunged so fast in the devastated car sales market that some used motors are fetching more than the equivalent brand new model.

Research by the Parker's car-prices guide shows that huge special offers to clear the glut of unsold new cars means some motors — the Vauxhall Corsa and Mazda 6, for instance — are available at up to £1000 lower than a used model.

The car market has become chronically distorted by the recession, with an oversupply of new cars sitting in large car parks at British docks and a lack of nearly new or used cars coming on to the market as consumers hang on to their old models.

The Prime Minister has so far refused pleas for a European-style £2000 kick-start for the market by giving owners money to trade in cars that were new nine years or more ago.