Defender models see's pricing increases on the second hand market now the model has been discontinued.

Fans of the iconic Land Rover Defender who rushed to buy a piece of history are proving to have made a smart investment decision as prices soar. 

Automotive valuation specialists cap say good examples are demanding a huge premium over new list price. 

Commenting on the trend, John Watts, senior editor at Cap said: “We have already started to see an upward movement in trade values for Defender in general due to the anticipated demand and potential shortage following the cessation of production. Over the longer term we expect retail buyers to keep their vehicles longer because they know that finding a replacement will be nigh on impossible.

“Defender 90 versions are expected to be the highlight of the range since this model is closest to the original first production versions and Defender with a “premium” conversion will do exceptionally well.” 

Cap say a three year old Defender 90 Hard Top with 30,000 miles was valued at £11600 average trade price last June, and now the equivalent aged model is £12300. 

Dealers are demanding huge premiums for nearly new vehicles. 

A Land Rover Defender 90 2.2d 3 dr, with 1,000 miles on the clock, which cost £17,000 + VAT new, is now listed on Autotrader at £30,000. 

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Land Rover dealer Ross Munro, from LR Motors in North Yorkshire said: “Nearly new or pre-registred models of Defender are selling for 20% beyond list price and we are seeing some owners asking more. And with 75% of Defenders ever built still on the road, they could prove to be a smart move for investors or enthusiasts.”

Defender has attracted a thriving aftermarket with specialist companies such as Twisted producing enhanced vehicles with prices up to £150,000. 

Twisted say they have seen enquiries jump by 30%, with interest coming from business people and celebrities around the world.

Vauxhall celebrates last Vivaro as new model comes on stream.

• Last current generation Vivaro built in Luton ahead of all-new model
• Approaching a million vans built in Luton since 2001
• Over eight million vehicles manufactured in Luton since 1905

Vauxhall reached an important milestone on Friday as the last current generation Vivaro rolled off the production line at its Luton plant.

Jubilant workers cheered off the Vivaro van, the 957,107^th built there, before they start building the all-new model later this month.  This milestone vehicle will take pride of place at Vauxhall’s Heritage Centre at its Griffin House headquarters in Luton.

The all-new Vivaro secures 1,200 jobs, a 10-year contract and a £185 million investment at the Luton facility. Vauxhall announced last month that it will add a second shift at its Luton plant in January 2015, creating around 250 new jobs.

Rival Ford shut its Transit factory in Southampton last year making Vauxhall’s Luton facility the sole flag bearer for UK van manufacturing – on a site where over eight million vehicles have been built since 1905.

The plant is a significant contributor to the local and national economies building nearly a million Vivaro vans since 2001, including 44,000 vans built in 2013, and is a major exporter with 52 per cent of production destined for European markets.

“The current Vivaro has been a huge success and our workforce at Luton is very much looking forward to building the all-new model,” said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director.

“The Vivaro van is of critical importance to Vauxhall and its manufacturing facility in Luton. I’m very proud of the men and women who build this vehicle to world class levels of quality and productivity.”

Last of the current generation MINI Hatch leaves Plant Oxford.

• Over 1 million current MINI Hatch models built at Plant Oxford between 2006 – 2013
• 1,863,289 total MINI Hatch built since 2001
• 14% of all cars built in the UK last year were MINIs, and 14% exported were MINIs
• The new MINI Hatch production starts, with UK launch in Spring 2014

Having put a smile on over a million drivers’ faces across the globe, the last of the outgoing MINI Hatch drove off the production line at Plant Oxford today.

With production of the new MINI Hatch underway, associates at the brand’s historic Oxfordshire home took a moment to recognise their achievements in building a car which has formed the backbone of MINI’s burgeoning global growth.

1,041,412 of the outgoing MINI Hatch model have been produced at the high-tech facility, which has built more than 2.4 million MINI vehicles since 2001. 14% of all cars built in the UK last year were MINIs, and MINIs accounted for 14% of all UK vehicle exports in 2012.

When launched in 2006, the outgoing MINI Hatch saw the introduction of turbo charged engines and suspension enhancements which cemented MINI’s reputation for enthralling driving dynamics. With the introduction of MINIMALISM technologies, customers also benefited from improved fuel economy and performance in equal measure. MINI Connected appeared for the first time, setting the standard in the segment for infotainment and connectivity. This model also furthered MINI’s exciting and unique programme of customisation and personalisation, from bespoke roof designs to interior colour worlds, which has become synonymous with the MINI brand.

The New MINI Hatch is set to receive its UK launch in Spring 2014. Distinctly familiar, yet completely fresh from the ground up and enhanced in every single way, the new MINI Hatch features significant improvements in technology, engine efficiency and power delivery, driving dynamics, quality and – of course – personalisation.