FUEL economy looks set to be the key factor in determining the future desirability of cars, according to market experts. CAP Motor Research predicts that, despite the trend for high-specification vehicles, extras such as air conditioning and electric windows will slide down the list of must-haves.

Operations director Andrew Wilkinson said that, with buyers facing the prospect of increasing fuel prices and the potential increasing taxation of larger-engined vehicles, they will naturally be drawn to cars which offer impressive fuel economy. Fleets, he said, were looking at using smaller, more fuel-efficient cars and private buyers were following suit.

Glass's Guide editor-in-chief Arnie Fenn agreed that fuel economy would be increasingly important to buyers - but argued that extras such as air-conditioning would still be desirable to used-car buyers.