UsedCarsNI Blog

The Dacia Sandriders Claim Historic Dakar Rally Victory

The Dacia Sandriders Claim Historic Dakar Rally Victory

The Dacia Sandriders have claimed a remarkable victory at the 48th Dakar Rally, widely regarded as the toughest challenge in international motorsport. Nasser Al‑Attiyah and Fabian Lurquin delivered a commanding performance to secure overall victory by almost ten minutes, marking a historic milestone for the team. This outstanding result

DONNELLY GROUP’S CHARITY PARTNERSHIP RAISES RECORD-BREAKING £34,393 FOR NI CHILDREN’S HOSPICE

DONNELLY GROUP’S CHARITY PARTNERSHIP RAISES RECORD-BREAKING £34,393 FOR NI CHILDREN’S HOSPICE

Donnelly Group Foundation, the charitable fund launched by Northern Ireland’s largest independent vehicle retailer, Donnelly Group, has marked its highest annual fundraising total to date, raising a record-breaking £34,393 for NI Children’s Hospice. Selected by Donnelly Group employees as the 2025 Charity Partner of the Year, NI

BMW M Ushers in a New Era with Fully Electric High-Performance Models…

BMW M Ushers in a New Era with Fully Electric High-Performance Models…

BMW M GmbH has announced a groundbreaking shift in its high-performance lineup, introducing fully electric models based on the Neue Klasse architecture starting in 2027. This marks a new chapter for the brand, combining its racetrack heritage with cutting-edge electric technology. The upcoming BMW M Neue Klasse models will feature

Kia EV3 Brings Big-Car Tech and Range to the Compact EV Market…

Kia EV3 Brings Big-Car Tech and Range to the Compact EV Market…

When it comes to battery powered SUV’s there is no shortage of them, especially from Korean maker Kia. But can their latest compact SUV, the EV3 stand out amidst an electrifying sea? As the smallest Kia electric vehicle, the EV3 sits beside bigger siblings such as the EV4, EV5,

From Minis to Championship Glory: Ricky McGimpsey’s Motorsport Journey…

From Minis to Championship Glory: Ricky McGimpsey’s Motorsport Journey…

For Ricky McGimpsey, motorsport isn’t just a hobby—it’s a lifelong passion that began at the tender age of 13. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in the sport, Ricky’s early experiences were shaped by his father’s involvement in vintage car trials and club events.

OUTLANDER PHEV AND L200 DOUBLE CAB PICKUP TO LAUNCH IN THE UK MARKET IN SUMMER 2026…

OUTLANDER PHEV AND L200 DOUBLE CAB PICKUP TO LAUNCH IN THE UK MARKET IN SUMMER 2026…

The all-new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) and the latest-generation Mitsubishi L200 Series 7 double-cab pickup truck have been revealed as the two Mitsubishi models to be made available in the UK from summer 2026, initially available in limited numbers from launch. Both the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and

KELLY DEFENDS KILLARNEY HISTORIC CROWN IN THRILLING FINALE…

KELLY DEFENDS KILLARNEY HISTORIC CROWN IN THRILLING FINALE…

The Killarney Historic Rally kicked off the 2026 NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in breathtaking fashion as Donagh Kelly and Rory Kennedy defended their crown, clinging on to victory by a mere 1.5 seconds as John O’Donnell and Robert Duggan mounted a ferocious late charge through

VOLKSWAGEN GROUP ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO NORTHERN IRELAND DEALER NETWORK…

VOLKSWAGEN GROUP ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO NORTHERN IRELAND DEALER NETWORK…

Volkswagen Group UK is upgrading a number of its brands’ showroom facilities in Northern Ireland. From today, 1 December, Volkswagen Passenger Cars and Škoda will operate from shared sites in Belfast and Mallusk, under the management of Isaac Agnew Group. Both sites have undergone significant upgrades to offer customers the

BRINGING IT HOME…

BRINGING IT HOME…

Despite a late puncture Jordan and Paul Hone claimed a third maximum score of the season to win the Brown & Brown NI Forest Rally Challenge at the Fivemiletown final, writes William Neill. Claudy’s Jordan, who won the prestigious BTRDA 1400 series in 2016 before a first outright rally

BALLYMENA TO HOST EAGERLY ANTICIPATED 50TH ANNIVERSARY ULSTER INTERNATIONAL RALLY IN 2026…

BALLYMENA TO HOST EAGERLY ANTICIPATED 50TH ANNIVERSARY ULSTER INTERNATIONAL RALLY IN 2026…

The Ulster Rally is gearing up for one of its most exciting editions yet, as organisers proudly announce Ballymena as the new home for the event’s landmark 50th anniversary event. With a refreshed itinerary, returning to iconic world-class stages, the 2026 edition on the 7-8 August 2026 promises to

JAECOO NAMED UK’S MOST GOOGLED CHINESE CAR BRAND IN 2025…

JAECOO has been named the most searched Chinese car brand in the UK, according to Google UK’s Year in Search 2025, signalling rapidly growing consumer awareness and curiosity around the adventure-focused marque. Google’s annual data release highlights the models and automotive topics that gained the fastest momentum over

MG ACCOMPLISHES NEW HIGH IN 2025…

MG ACCOMPLISHES NEW HIGH IN 2025…

MG Motor has achieved 300,000 annual sales in the UK and Europe for the first time. This milestone was reached during December 2025, with MG achieving an almost 30 per cent uplift over the equivalent period in 2024 when the brand recorded about 233,000 sales. Strong customer demand

Ford Transit Courier: Compact Versatility for Modern Needs

Ford Transit Courier: Compact Versatility for Modern Needs

With the Ford Fiesta now discontinued—along with its commercial van derivative—Ford can push the Transit Courier to fill a sparse segment in the market where few small commercial alternatives exist. Small vans remain in high demand among commercial fleets that don’t require massive carrying capacity, as well

Ford Transit Connect

Ford Transit Connect

When it comes to small vans, the market is crowded, with most options coming from the Stellantis group. Locally, the Volkswagen Caddy is often considered the most reliable choice. However, you could save a fair bit of money by opting for the Ford Transit Connect—essentially a rebranded Caddy. Ford’

CREIGHTON CROWNED BRITISH RALLY CHAMPION…

CREIGHTON CROWNED BRITISH RALLY CHAMPION…

Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver William Creighton and co-driver Liam Regan have been crowned 2025 Probite British Rally Champions, sealing the title after a tense and tactical performance on the Lewis and Hunter Cambrian Rally [25 October] in North Wales. After coming agonisingly close to the crown last season, Creighton

MOONEY WINS BUGGY IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIP…

MOONEY WINS BUGGY IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIP…

Fending off the 135 registered competitors for what was the second season, Paul Mooney won the 2025 Buggy Ireland Championship - the result came from four event wins and an early fourth in what was a fantastic season for the MV Racing driver who claimed his first overall win at

GENESIS GV70…

When you mention Genesis most will think of the English rock band headed by Phil Collins, a standout track being ‘I Can’t Dance’ – but for Korean’s, Genesis can dance, and just like the high-octane introduction to the old music video, the 10-year-old luxury vehicle maker brings something exciting

e VITARA – Suzuki’s first electric car…

e VITARA – Suzuki’s first electric car…

Suzuki is very pleased to announce that e VITARA – its first fully electric car – is now launched in the UK with first customer deliveries being fulfilled since early October 2025. It is offered with either 49kWh or 61kWh battery capacities as well as optional ALLGRIP-e, Suzuki’s newly developed electric

HIGH-TECH, ELECTRIFIED AND HIGHLY EFFICIENT: ALL-NEW CLA HYBRID NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER…

HIGH-TECH, ELECTRIFIED AND HIGHLY EFFICIENT: ALL-NEW CLA HYBRID NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER…

The new Mercedes-Benz CLA hybrid is now available to order in the United Kingdom. It is available in Sport, Sport Executive, AMG Line Executive, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus specifications. Prices start from £38,7001. Offered in the UK in CLA 180, CLA 200 and all-wheel drive

Kia’s first full-electric, dedicated van, the PV5, is awarded ‘2026 International Van of the Year’…

Kia’s first full-electric, dedicated van, the PV5, is awarded ‘2026 International Van of the Year’…

Kia’s all-electric PV5 has been named the ‘2026 International Van of the Year’ (IVOTY), marking a historic first victory for both Kia and a Korean manufacturer. The award was presented on 19 November at the IVOTY Award Gala during SOLUTRANS 2025 in Lyon, France, following a vote by a

Mazda CX-80: A New Benchmark in Seven-Seat Luxury SUVs

Mazda CX-80: A New Benchmark in Seven-Seat Luxury SUVs

Mazda was an early adopter of the SUV boom and has successfully filled most segments of that market. Recently, the Japanese brand addressed its gap in the largest SUV category with the introduction of the seven-seat Mazda CX-80. Competing against established family haulers like the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa