Sight-unseen used car purchases are on the up, according to new research. One in 10 (11 percent) of buyers are now taking the plunge without seeing their new vehicle first.

The data comes from an AA Cars poll of 19,350 drivers. Its theory is that online portals are yielding more consumer trust, as buyers put their faith in the transparency of used car listings.

It’s also worth noting that the average used car is getting younger and, as a result, more expensive. So there is potentially less risk, even if buyers are generally paying more.

How to sell a car online

What’s more, 52 percent of those who hadn’t bought a car ‘sight-unseen’, said they would consider it – if the car was examined by a pre-sale vehicle inspector from a trusted brand.

What else makes consumers more likely to buy cars online? Forty-eight percent said dealers being upfront and transparent, particularly regarding a buyer’s right to cancel. Predictably, discounted prices would get more fingers clicking (44 percent). And 44 percent also said an affiliation with a trusted body to verify the quality of a dealer’s stock would increase appeal.

One of the most important things for an online advert is presentation. More pictures, more videos and exhaustive information about the car would make 37 percent of browsers more likely to buy. Ultimately, it’s about reassurance – that’s why we go to view cars in the first place. Get that across online and you’re on to a winner.

“A decade ago, the idea of buying a car without seeing it in person was highly unusual,” said James Fairclough, CEO of AA Cars.

“These days, consumers are much more comfortable with buying valuable products they haven’t seen first – namely due to the sheer volume of listing information and all-angles pictorial evidence that is provided by respected portals online, making a prospective buyer feel like they have practically kicked the tyres themselves.

“Buyers can also increasingly feel at ease as they are sheltered by the Consumer Rights Act of 2015 which gives them a ‘right to return’ a car if it develops a fault in the first 30 days of ownership – or to ask for a repair in the first six months after it was bought.”

American auction website Bring a Trailer is currently playing host to the sale of a rather intriguing collection of cars and trucks.

The seller has acquired many of the cars through the site previously, but has decided to liquidate his assets in one fell swoop.

With all cars being sold with no reserve, this really is a case of everything must go.

Almost every category of popular and niche automotive collecting trends are represented, with the variety of vehicles ranging from the 1940s right through to the modern age.

Station wagons have clearly been a particular pleasure of the anonymous collector, with estate models accounting for five of the vehicles on sale. Trucks, SUVs, and classic sports cars are also part of the mix.

We’ve taken a look at just some of the cars up for grabs before the digital hammer falls on Thursday May 16th.

1991 Ferrari 348 TB

Don’t be fooled into thinking this is some Pontiac Fiero-derived replica. No, there is a genuine mid-engined V-8 Ferrari up for grabs in this auction.

Although often overshadowed by the F355 which replaced it, the 348 does at least have the claim to being one of the final cars developed under the scrutiny of company founder Enzo Ferrari.

Originally delivered to Switzerland, this car made it to the USA in 2016, after a Canadian detour. All service records are present, and it even has an aftermarket Tubi exhaust to help the 300 horsepower engine sound even sweeter.

1957 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Pickup

Even more eye catching than the Ferrari is this extensively modified Chevrolet pickup truck, finished in bright orange.

The truck underwent major changes between 2000 and 2005, with the frame powder coated and a 302-cubic inch V-8 engine from a 1969 Camaro Z/28 added under the hood.

With orange highlights throughout the interior, and even matching wheels, you’ll certainly need to be bold for this tangerine dream.

2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Wagon

From a time when performance Mercedes-Benz products still retained a substantial degree of subtlety is this rapid load-lugger.

According to Bring a Trailer, this is just one of 193 examples of the W211 E55 wagon sold in the United States. Power comes from a 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine, producing 469 horsepower and 516lb-ft of torque. Top speed is limited to 155mph, with the 0-60mph sprint taking less than 4.5 seconds.

The standard air suspension was serviced in 2018, with new rear shocks fitted and the ride height recalibrated. Folding third-row rear seats mean you can easily justify buying this E55 as a practical family station wagon.

1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster

Male supermodel David Gandy has recently taken delivery of a Jaguar XK120, which was custom built to his exacting specifications. However, if you happen not to be a millionaire underwear model, then this Jag may be more attainable.

This particular car is said to have been owned by the same family from new, all the way until being acquired by the current owner in 2007. The car underwent a full body-off restoration in the 1980s, with substantial maintenance also performed in 2017.

Driving the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox, the 4.2-liter inline-six engine is fed by triple Weber carburettors. When new, the XK120 was responsible for setting a number of speed records, although it looks just as good being driven at a sensible pace.

1967 Chrysler New Yorker

In terms of price per square foot, this giant ‘67 New Yorker could well be the best value piece of real estate for sale in this collection.

The four-door hardtop New Yorker, with its 124-inch wheelbase, is still vast even by modern standards. Even bigger is the 440-cubic inch RB V-8 engine, connected to a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission.

Beneath the Haze Green paintwork, the frame of this New Yorker does show evidence of corrosion. However, the car has undergone regular maintenance in recent years, and appears to be a well-preserved example of how it originally left the factory.

1972 Porsche 911S

No collector car auction in 2019 would be complete without a Porsche 911, and this particular sale does not disappoint.

Both interior and exterior of this 911S have undergone updating in recent years, with the Metallic Silver paintwork renewed in 2016. Seats, door cards and other trim items were refreshed in 2017, with a range of mechanical work also performed.

This 2.4-liter flat-six machine is currently the car with the highest bids from the collection of 25 vehicles, and causing some debate amongst commentators about the origins of the 915 five-speed manual gearbox.

With no reserve this Porsche, and all the other 24 vehicles, will sell come Thursday. We will just have to wait and see which one sparks the biggest bidding war.

Aston Martin has built a prototype for its forthcoming run of ultra-special Bond-spec DB5 recreations, as the marque moves to bring movie magic to 25 lucky owner’s garages.

Bond’s car brand of choice is working with Oscar-winning special effects master Chris Gorbould OBE to make the gadget-clad Aston a reality.

The first engineering and development car is officially taking shape over at Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell, with testing of the gadgetry now underway.

First deliveries are expected in 2020.

“The main challenge has been to recreate the gadgets from the film world and transfer them into a consumer product,” Chris explained.

“We have licence in the film world to ‘cheat’ different aspects under controlled conditions. For instance, we might have four different cars to accommodate four different gadgets.

“We obviously don’t have that luxury on these classic Aston DB5s, as all the gadgets have to work in the same car all the time.”

Chris’s main projects are the front guns, smoke screen and oil slick gadgets. Aston’s engineers are handling everything else.

Bringing Bond’s DB5 to life

That does beg the question, though. Exactly how much of Bond’s extensive gadget (and weaponry) arsenal is truly going to be fully functional on these 25 recreations? Well, needless to say, you won’t quite need a licence to kill to go with your driving licence…

You can expect the full lineup of gadgets Bond had on his DB5 in Goldfinger, but not all of them will be functional.

For example, on the inside, the radar screen and tracker map are simulated. So too is the full ejector seat, though there is an optional ‘teaser’ for it.

However, the phone in the driver’s door, gear knob actuator button, arm-rest-mounted switchgear and under-seat weapons storage will feature.

The rear smoke screen, revolving number plates, rear bullet-proof shield and front-to-rear battering rams will make it, too. Whether the shield is actually bulletproof is another question.

Sadly, the oil slick delivery system and machine guns will be simulated, rather than truly functional. Boo!

Apparently, the guns will appear, though, and deliver a “realistic effect” according to Gorbould. We don’t think they’ll be shooting anything, but you can expect some noise while driving around your estate pretending to be Bond.

On that, you’re going to need to have an estate to enjoy it. You won’t need a licence to kill, and you won’t need a driving licence either. That’s because the £2.75 million (plus taxes) Bond-spec DB5 isn’t road legal.

A wise move, potentially. A car that can ‘simulate’ machine guns probably isn’t suitable for the public highway.

Given how it’s technically brand new, it probably doesn’t meet modern safety and emissions standards, either. Though apparently there will be ‘sympathetic modifications’ to make sure it’s built well and reliable – both car and gadgets…

A new collaboration between two car modification companies will bring new options to the Volkswagen tuning scene.

Performance parts and engine upgrade specialist Mountune has formed a new company, partnering with alloy wheel manufacturer Fifteen52, to offer products on both sides of the Atlantic.

The new M52 brand will initially focus on the latest versions of the Volkswagen Golf R and GTI.

Forging new empires

Mountune re-established itself as a major player in the aftermarket  sector with its range of products for the Mk6 Ford Fiesta ST in 2008.

However, it was the global success of the Mk7 Fiesta ST, and the officially-endorsed Mountune upgrades for it, that pushed the company to even greater recognition.

Mountune Performance parts are now sold by Ford dealerships, allowing owners the ability to keep their original manufacturer warranty.

Fifteen52 began in 1996, and its range of monoblock alloy wheels become iconic via their association with motorsport. Ken Block has famously used Fifteen52 rims on many of his Hoonigan projects.

Talkin’ about Dub

The new M52 brand will sell performance parts, along with alloy wheel packages, designed to fit the Mk7 Golf R and GTI.

Initial offerings include ECU upgrades, which boost the output of the turbocharged Golf R to a considerable 355hp and 369lb ft of torque. GTI fans can also see power increased to 306hp and 350lb ft, meaning sizeable gains over stock.

Lowering springs for the suspension, upgraded brakes, billet engine bay parts, and even a custom X3 induction system, are also available to order from the M52 online shop.

Fifteen52 has also created two brand-new 19-inch alloy wheel designs, inspired by the Super Touring motorsport era from the 1990s. Customers can pre-order the new rim designs now, with the first deliveries expected in the coming months.

Loyalty to the badge

Alongside performance parts and wheels, M52 will also offer a range of branded merchandise and accessories. In the sometimes heated world of the Volkswagen tuning scene, showing your allegiances is important.

Alec Pell-Johnson, director of Mountune, commented that the new collaboration is “an exciting chapter in our history” as the M52 brand was launched. Matt Croke, owner of Fifteen52, also added that: “This will be an epic brand in the performance aftermarket and offer something new to the VW community”.

The two companies first worked together on a special edition of the Volkswagen Golf GTI for the 2017 SEMA tuning show. Billed as a homage to the 1986 Group A World Rally Championship Golf GTI, the show car won considerable praise at the industry event.

Improving modern classic cars has become big business, with companies such as Singer and Redux demonstrating the possibilities.

However, one Japanese firm is taking a rather different approach, instead returning the W124 and S124 series of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class back to its purest form.

Kanagawa-based Arrows specialises extensively in this particular E-Class model, which was produced from 1984 through to 1996.

It is the earliest cars which Arrows takes inspiration from, and looks to restore later versions of the W124 and S124 E-Class back to how the very first examples left the production line.

On the outside, that means a complete respray in one of three original Mercedes-Benz colours. Customers can choose from ‘Pueblo Beige’, ‘Rodeo Gray’, and also ‘Light Ivory’ hues.

The latter will be familiar to anyone who has taken a ride in a German taxi, and immediately reinforces the aim of Arrows to make these cars look as subtle as possible.

Any large alloy wheels are binned, with a set of 15-inch steel wheels bolted in place instead, and combined with genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel trims.

Arrows does not delve into upgrading the engine for more performance. But buyers are able to choose from donor cars with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, or 3.0 and 3.2-litre six-cylinder units depending on preference.

The interior also sees a minimalist overhaul, adding the distinctive check pattern cloth trim to the seats and door cards. Arrows sources the material from a German manufacturer, keeping it as close to the original as possible.

Wood trim is removed from the interior as well, taking the Classic Line back to the most basic example of the W124 with plain black plastic used instead.

Even the steering wheel is swapped out, and replaced with a simple earlier version without an airbag. Although it is larger in diameter, Arrows believes that the thinner rim makes for a better driving experience.

The estate version of the E-Class Classic Line does retain the extra seats in the boot, with a roof rack available to be added as an option. Who needs a seven-seater SUV when you can have a beige Mercedes from the 1980s?

For those who do want off-road ability, Arrows is also able to apply the Classic Line treatment to the venerable Mercedes G-Wagen.

Prices for the E-Class Classic Line transformation begin at ¥2,000,000 (£14,000) where the owner supplies an existing vehicle. Asking Arrows to source a donor vehicle pushes the starting price to ¥3,500,000 (£24,000) instead.

That may seem a lot for a simple Mercedes-Benz, even if W124 Mercs are predicted to increase in value. However, the work by Arrows serves as a refreshing riposte to never ending cycle of horsepower and exterior chintz on modern cars.