Parker does good guides. (parkers.co.uk)

Member Name: firemanspam

Product:	parkers.co.uk
Date:	24/01/09 (206 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A very handy book for car buyers.

Disadvantages: Goes out of date within six months.

The idea of this little book is simple, various companies, hopefully independent ones, produce price guides for the trade, based on the going rate for pretty much every car, van, and motorcycle, plus they do others covering trucks and buses. Some of these are for the trade only, (CAP Guide, Black Book etc), but this one is made for the general Public.

Obviously the prices quoted are out of date within six months, but you can adjust them fairly accurately, the same goes for mileages. If ever in doubt, simply value on the low side and you will not go wrong.

Besides the book, they also do the website, this is a good site to look at before buying the book. The layout is very simple, you check the car you are interested in, look up the spec, (Yes, all that's in there too) look up what Parker's have to say about the car, they do a small review for every model. This review is based on several sections, first is a quick summary, then a paragraph on "Behind the wheel" then one on "Comfort", this is followed by some links to cheap insurance, then the "Equipment" section.

The review also goes into more detail if you want, and covers "Driving and performance" "Safety & Costs" "Buying and selling" and "Model history" then "Technical data". All you want to know about the car you are thinking of buying, or selling, is there.

You may also download car reports, and find out just about all you could ever want to know in this book.
The most common thing to use this book for, has to be for prices, and this is very good, it gives prices for "P" Reg (1997 vehicles) up to new ones, starting with the price when new, it gives you the price you should pay at an independent dealer, private sale for a good condition model, same again but poor condition, and finally part exchange values. All these prices are based on average miles, but you can adjust the values to suit. The format is the same if you want a selling price.

Take a look on the website, If you have no pre-conceived ideas on which car you want, then the option to look through the Advice section is a good one, this is where you will find info like the safest people carriers, choosing a warranty, looking for a small safe car, Budget changes, depreciation, and much more stuff of interest. The website gives prices for year 200 onwards, if you need older car values, you have to pay.

You can subscribe for a year at a time, the UK subscription rate is £65.00 per year. Individual magazines cost £3.50
The publication is A5 size, small enough to fit pockets, this means you can take it with you to the local car auction, or second hand car lot. You will be well armed with all the info you need.

One small point, special editions often tend to be left out, meaning you will be using bog standard model prices, to buy or sell your super top of the range motor. This is not ideal either for buyer or seller.

The publication is available at every bookshop, newsagents, and pretty much every supermarket. It is not quite as accurate as the professionals Glasses or CAP guide, but for us mere mortals it is just the job. Have a crafty free view at your local paper shop!

Contact details are -
Website:- www.parkers.co.uk
Email:- parkers.website@emap.com
Address:- Emap Automotive Limited.
Company number: 696758
Registered Office: 40 Bernard Street, London,
WC1N 1LW

You can also contact the company via the website, although that is really only for feedback.

Summary: A very useful resource.