Who Killed the Repmobile?

The Traditional Oil Burning HatchSaloonEstate is no more. Buy One.

Back in the old days, and for today’s time travel purposes we will only go as far as the ‘80s, company representatives really did load up Cavaliers, Cortinas and Sierras with samples and photocopier parts. They were selling and fixing stuff that kept the country moving. When the vehicles reached the end of their useful motoring lives, once the company contract hire period expired, they were recycled at auctions. Bought by the car trade these Ex-Reppers ended up at a car lot or open air car supermarket. Another route was via hire companies who in some cases just ran them for a few months or thousand miles. As these motors accounted for the bulk product of car manufacturers, they might be registered and sold with zero to not many miles simply to boost sales figures. Incredible isn’t it? That’s when real motorists went and bought them often from their local dealers.

Let’s get into the ‘80s detail as the rump of the Banger market has always been the retired business models. At this point there is something of a transition from saloons to hatches, although the three boxers remained popular and existed alongside the new fangled liftbacks.

Undoubtedly the biggest news was the retirement of the Cortina and it’s replacement by the Sierra. I can confirm (from being around at early part-exchange time) that it did not go especially smoothly. Essentially all that happened was a body transplant and that certainly seemed like the clever thing to do. It wouldn’t upset the fleet managers, but unfortunately the Jelly Mould shape did. Great news for Banger buyers who could avoid an old rusty Dustbin Cortina and get a new fangled Jelly Sierra for less.

That meant the fleet car wars were roundly won by the Vauxhall Cavalier. The Mark 2 and then the 3 at the end of the decade sealed it for Luton, while Ford played catch up, although the Sapphire did well enough as everyone got used to the redesigned Sierra.

Everything else on the market was either a novelty or going out of fashion. British Leyland persisted with the Marina and for some reason reckoned that with some matt black paint/plastic and a name change, no one would notice the Ital was a rehash. The Montego was dated, but would do a job without embarrassment.

Incredibly the Maxi limped into the, 80s whilst the big hatch format didn’t exactly save Talbot, although the old Chrysler Alpine was a valiant effort, but the Solara suggested that all was very much lost.

Datsun became Nissan and the new Bluebird arrived. That’s when Japan came to Britain and changed car production forever. In the background the Hyundai Stellar made its debut and delivered electric windows to the ordinary car buyer, but there was no hint yet that they would be the future.

For those that wanted reliability with added dullness, the Volkswagen Passat was always reliably there, or thereabouts. Otherwise the Honda Accord was comfortably sophisticated even if the badge signified boring.

What company drivers wanted, especially the reppers from now on was prestige. The company car budget was no longer about Ghia spec when you might just get a base model BMW 316i for the same money. Fleet managers approved because it looked as though they were really on top of their job when they got loads more back for the company at resale time. Yes the Germans were starting to kill off the rep specials.

The 1990s were arguably the best of Banger times, especially for the reppers. These standard issue, regional assistant sales transportation devices were better than anyone really gave them credit for. Although the Sierra limped into the ‘90s, the Mondeo was a class apart and not just great to drive, but slightly stylish too. The revamped Cavalier took the motorway slog very much in its stride, then the Vectra turned up as a massively accomplished muncher of miles. The Rover Montego felt dated and the 400 was only OK, but the real surprise was how good the Passat became. Always a decent Banger it now had a certain, aspirational style towards the end of the ‘90s.

French cars did the comfy thing, but only the 405 and 406 were truly inspiring. Hats off to Citroen for continuing to make technically intriguing vehicles but that wasn’t what you wanted on the hard shoulder of the M6 in a wedge shaped Xantia. Actually what you wanted was a British built Toyota Carina E that would roll on forever. The Avensis was a bit more dreary, but filled the reliability gap. Speaking of reliability and dullness the Nissan Primera was always there or thereabouts when you needed to put the miles in. Like many other cars of the era a British Touring Cars star and there was always a hot halo version, the 2.0e GT, to make the range seem a bit more relevant.

There was always a lot of middle order dross, priced to be attractive that turned out to be prime Banger fodder within minutes of being sold new. The Proton Persona and Mpi were certainly nothing special. Meanwhile the Daewoo Espero and Nubira were trying to do something a bit different at your local Halfords outlet.

These were at least were interesting times which were very soon about to change. If anyone was going to kill the economical high miler for the reppers it was the government and their scant understanding of actual science. This would start to affect what would be sold from the 2010s onwards to company car drivers. Before the wheels came off and before the DPF hit the fan here’s what reppers would drive in the 2010s. From initially encouraging diesel because it delivered low CO2 (a naturally occurring gas, not a pollutant) Then in 2010, the UK government, along with the EU, began implementing stricter emissions standards for diesel cars, including the introduction of Euro 5 standards, which required diesel particulate filters (DPF) and NOx emission limits beginning the slow death of diesel and ultimately the rep hatchsaloonestatespecial.

Second generation Mondeo is probably the best incarnation of the middle order Ford. Big boot, interior and great to drive. The TDCi engines made all the difference. Like most Fords the Quickclear screen is brilliant on a frosty morning. Constantly updated, buy later editions and Zetecs or Ghias for the win. Then the third gen or Mark 4 to some is a great example of how to make a working class company car. Last of the breed which is absolutely huge on the inside. Still available as a hatchback and saloon. 2.0 petrol if the miles are low, 2.0 diesel otherwise.

A further hint as to who was responsible for the death of the traditionally shaped repper the arrival of the Nissan Qashqai in 2007. Welcome to the future. SUV looks, but otherwise it's just a great big hatchback with a huge boot. Perfect for work and samples during the week then family duties at the weekend. There was eventually a 4 x 4, but others in the company car park might have thought it could do some off the roading. High driving position, initial neighbour envy, who would ever want a boring saloon or hatch ever again?

Meanwhile the revised Toyota Avensis in 2003 was effectively a Japanese Passat, solidly built and a real feeling of quality, with guaranteed reliability, but pretty blunt styling. Revamped in 2006 and a bit sharper to drive and ironically some more thumping diesels now squarely in the range which would ultimate lead to it being .

And into the 2010s who would have seen this coming? The old fashioned family sized sales representative saloon and hatchback would be running out of road. Officially the reason is that diesel engines were under attack as the main form of propulsion for these vehicles.

Significantly, as the very able and reliable Toyota Avensis passes away in 2018, one of the original petrol hybrids in the shape of the Prius powers on as the inner city independent taxi driver vehicle of choice. Not ideal for the long haul motorway stuff at all.

Now the Rep Car wipeout is almost total. Legends like the Mondeo ran out of road in 2022, but at least it outlived the Insignia which croaked in 2017. Skoda come to the rescue with remarkably reliable offerings badged as the Octavia and the Superb. In fact the Superb is good enough to go into the executive class.

It is impossible to avoid the mostly excellent Mazda 6 which does sterling work on the nation’s motorways and seldom gets delayed in the workshop. Then there are the Koreans. The Kia Optima was big in America, but less so over here. Meanwhile the Hyundai i140 did a job while the Ioniq existed to bother the Prius very effectively.

Discount the complicated and largely unloved Peugeots and Renaults, but appreciate the last gasp of the basic Mitsubishi Lancer. Everything has changed, not necessarily for the better especially as the 10th anniversary of locking a nation down, destroying the economy and quite possibly parking up the rep special forever, because everyone works via Zoom now days (they don’t, but you know what I’m getting at). As nothing gets made here anymore those foreign made parts can be delivered from Shanghai with the last few miles courtesy of an EVRI driver using their 2007 mot borderline Cashcow. Dunno who is going to fit them Chinese bits? Details, details.

So who killed the Reppers? You did. You, your company, your boss, all stopped buying them. Shame on you. Unless you only ever bought very pre owned ones. That’s because

Rep specials always were the best Bangers, not fashionable, clever, or desirable, just built to do a job and there were loads to choose from. Not anymore, but here are a few classics.

Don’t look at basic Sierra prices, there are some serious five figure examples around. Instead via Gumtree I spied this Ford SIERRA Hatchback from 1991, a manual, with a 1769cc engine for £5,000.00. Has a full Mot, 4 new tyres, new battery, oil and fluids changed. Apparently starts first time every time.18 years sat in the garage needs one wing due to rust, electric windows sunroof, new exhaust system, 37000 miles full history and paper work, two keys and immobiliser. Apart from that wing, seems perfect enough and that makes it a four Slogger.

Toyota CARINA E anyone? Here’s a hatchback from 1997, for £1,950.

Has 3 keys was garaged for the last year or so.1.8 automatic described as all jolly good. Lots of paperwork including original agreement of sale lots of paperwork and previous mots currently being used as a daily, just passed a fresh 12 month mot. Everything works as it should, air conditioning, sunroof, electric windows. Unsurprisingly ‘fantastic car first to see will buy’ which has covered 129,686 miles. Might not be true, but Five Slogs seems sensible enough for what will become a rare sight. Deserves to be preserved.

And finally here’s an 88K mile scrap Vectra! Described as such, more accurately a spares or repair, although it seems to have an immensely long MOT valid until 2026 and just a battery drain issue, all for £250. You will be getting a 1.8 petrol Vauxhall and all you need to do is take a new battery and two hundred and fifty quid and it will get you home. Mind you it is only possible to unlock the doors from inside, presumably then you’ll be climbing in through the tailgate. Repping brilliant. Two Slogs innit? Who in their right minds would want to get mixed up with this old nail...

All this week’s vehicles were found on Gumtree.

See you next time.

Please note that all images are copyright of the selling garage, no recommendation is made for any vehicle featured and ideally it is best to go and check for yourself.

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