Safety and driver assistance
- ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
- Prevents wheels from locking up during braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control on slippery surfaces.
- Autonomous emergency braking
- A safety system that detects an imminent collision and automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not react in time.
- Blind spot monitoring
- Sensors that detect vehicles in your blind spots and alert you, typically with a warning light in the side mirrors.
- Distance control
- A function that automatically helps maintain the right distance to the car in front of you.
- ESP (Electronic Stability Programme)
- ESP is a system that helps the car stay on the road in wet and icy conditions by automatically applying brakes to individual wheels.
- Lane departure warning
- A function that alerts you if you accidentally drift out of your lane.
- Parking sensor
- Sensors that detect obstacles when parking, making it easier to park the car.
- Rear-view camera
- A camera at the rear of the car that displays the area behind you on the infotainment screen when reversing, helping to avoid collisions.
- Traction control
- A system that prevents the wheels from spinning by reducing engine power or applying brakes, helping the car maintain grip.
Engine, drivetrain, and efficiency
- 4-wheel drive
- Four-wheel drive means that the car drives on all four wheels. This improves traction in wet and icy conditions.
- Automatic transmission
- A gearbox that shifts gears automatically without the driver needing to use a clutch pedal. Common types include torque converter, CVT, and DCT.
- DCT (Dual-clutch transmission)
- A type of automatic gearbox with very quick gear changes. Typically very fuel-efficient.
- Manumatic (paddle shift)
- A gearbox with paddle shifters — shift gears by pressing a button or paddle on the steering wheel.
- Particulate filter
- A filter that removes harmful particles from the exhaust of diesel engines.
- Stop/start system
- The engine stops automatically when the car is stationary (e.g. at traffic lights) and restarts when you press the clutch or accelerator. This saves fuel.
Comfort, features, and equipment
- Adaptive headlights
- The car's headlights turn in the direction you are driving. This makes it easier to see the road in the dark.
- Air conditioning
- A system that cools the air inside the car.
- Apple CarPlay / Android Auto
- Smartphone integration systems that mirror your phone's apps (navigation, music, calls) on the car's infotainment screen.
- Climate control
- A system that automatically adjusts the temperature inside the car — more advanced than air conditioning.
- Cruise control
- A feature that allows the car to maintain a set speed without the driver pressing the accelerator.
- Electric tailgate
- The boot or tailgate opens and closes automatically at the press of a button, often with a foot sensor underneath the bumper.
- Glass roof
- A roof made of glass, allowing natural light into the cabin.
- Head-up display
- The car projects key information (such as speed) onto the windscreen, so the driver doesn't need to look down at the dashboard.
- Heated seats
- The front seats (and sometimes rear seats) have built-in heating elements for comfort in cold weather.
- Isofix
- A standardised mounting system that makes it easier and safer to install a child seat.
- Keyless entry and start
- The car unlocks when you approach with the key fob in your pocket and starts with a button press instead of a physical key.
- LED headlights
- Headlights using light-emitting diodes. More energy-efficient and longer-lasting than halogen or xenon, with a bright, white light.
- Lowered
- Means that the car sits lower than standard, usually through modified suspension.
- Metallic paint
- A paint finish that contains small metal flakes, giving the car a sparkling appearance in sunlight. Typically more expensive to repair than solid paint.
- A built-in GPS navigation system with maps displayed on the car's screen. May require periodic map updates.
- Original alloy wheels
- The car comes with the original manufacturer-fitted alloy wheels.
- Panoramic sunroof
- A large glass roof panel, often extending over both front and rear seats, that can typically be opened or tilted for ventilation.
- Tow bar (detachable)
- The car has a trailer coupling that can be fitted only when needed and removed when not in use.
- Xenon headlights
- High-intensity discharge headlights that are brighter and more energy-efficient than standard halogen bulbs.
Listing and purchase terms
- B2B offer (no warranty)
- The car is sold to a business only. Also called 'wholesale'. In practice, this means the car is sold without the normal consumer warranty, because the buyer must be a registered business. It is similar to buying a car privately, where no warranty is provided.
- Camper version
- Equipped for camping purposes. This typically includes a mini-kitchen. The body of the car has most likely been modified.
- Demo car
- An almost-new car that has typically been used for demonstration or test drive purposes at a dealership.
- First owner
- The car has only had one registered owner since it was new. Often seen as a positive indicator of consistent care.
- Full service history
- Means that the car has a complete service history with all scheduled maintenance carried out on time.
- New MOT
- The car has recently passed its roadworthiness inspection (MOT or equivalent).
- VAT deductible
- The car is sold with deductible VAT, which is relevant for business buyers who can reclaim the VAT. Private buyers cannot benefit from this.
- Winter tyres included
- The sale includes a set of winter tyres, either mounted or as a separate set. Essential for safe driving in cold, snowy, or icy conditions.
Infotainment and technology
- DAB+ radio
- A digital radio receiver that provides access to a wider range of radio stations with better sound quality and less interference than the traditional FM band.
- Digital cockpit / Instrument cluster
- A fully digital display that replaces traditional, analogue dials (speedometer and rev counter) behind the steering wheel. It often allows for displaying navigation maps and customizing the layout to the driver's preferences.
- OTA updates (Over-The-Air)
- Means that the car can receive and install important software updates wirelessly via the internet (just like a smartphone), without you needing to take the car to a garage.
- Voice control
- A system that allows you to operate car functions – such as setting the navigation, calling a contact, or adjusting the climate control – simply by speaking to the car.
- Wireless mobile charging
- An integrated pad (often in the centre console) that wirelessly charges your smartphone when you place it down (provided your phone supports Qi charging).
Interior and seating
- Alcantara
- A synthetic, suede-like microfibre material. It is often used on seats and steering wheels because it provides a luxurious, sporty grip, holds you better in the seat, and doesn't get as burningly hot in summer (or cold in winter) as leather.
- Leather interior
- Seats (and often parts of the doors and dashboard) upholstered in genuine or artificial leather. It is easy to wipe down and keep clean, giving the cabin a premium feel.
- Lumbar support
- An adjustable support function (often electric and adjustable in multiple directions) built into the backrest of the front seats. Drastically improves ergonomics and prevents back pain and fatigue on long journeys.
- Memory seats
- An electronic function where the car can remember specific settings for the seat position, mirrors, and sometimes the steering wheel. Ideal if two people of significantly different heights share the same car, as the seat automatically adjusts to the right position with a single button press.
- Sports seats
- Front seats designed with extra, pronounced side bolsters for the back and thighs. The purpose is to hold the driver and front passenger more securely and comfortably during cornering, though they can be slightly harder to get in and out of.
Lighting and visibility
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- The rear-view mirror detects bright light from behind (e.g., from a car with high beams on) and automatically dims/tints the mirror glass to protect the driver's eyes from glare at night.
- Fog lights
- Extra lights placed low on the car's front that shine under the fog to improve visibility. The car also has a rear fog light that warns drivers behind you in heavy fog or snow.
- High beam assist
- A camera system in the windscreen that automatically switches from high beam to low beam when it detects oncoming cars or streetlights in a town, and turns the high beams back on when the road is clear.
- Matrix LED / Adaptive LED headlights
- Highly advanced LED headlights that automatically and instantly turn off exactly the specific light diodes that would otherwise dazzle a car ahead or an oncoming car, while the rest of the road and verges remain fully illuminated by the bright high beam.
- Rain sensor
- A sensor built into the windscreen that detects raindrops and automatically activates the windscreen wipers, continuously adjusting their speed according to the intensity of the rain.