Retailers are warned to expect better-informed car buyers from next month following revisions to the publicly-available Parker’s Price Guide, which aims to help consumers assess used car prices more accurately.

From February 2, the monthly guide’s pricing section contains a second dealer price to reflect differences in the market.

Dealer One is now Parker’s typical price for that model through a franchised retailer’s used approved network, while Dealer Two is the typical price paid at an independent garage or car supermarket.

“It’s been done to make our pricing more accurate, transparent and more credible,” says Parker’s Price Guide editor Steve Rose.

“Our current dealer price is an average and as such is lower than most main dealers and higher than many independents, causing confusion and prompting some dealers to rubbish our pricing.”