Oliver Young has been What Car?’s used car reporter since 2021. He writes and produces used car content for print and online, doing so in conjunction with used car editor Mark Pearson.
His automotive journalism career began in 2018, when he took on an editorial apprentice role at the age of 16. With agency Blackball Media, he gained experience working on brands such as Car Dealer Magazine and PA Media. He performed a variety of tasks, from reviewing a new Ford Fiesta to interviewing Jeremy Clarkson.
In the meantime, he studied at Highbury College to complete his NCTJ Level 3 Diploma in Journalism. After two years, Oliver came away with a distinction grade.
Oliver is an expert in:
- Used car reviews
- Used car group tests
- Electric cars
- Small cars
- Hot hatches
Oliver Young Q&A
What’s the best piece of advice you could offer a car buyer?
Whilst we’re here to offer comprehensive, informative, objective advice, we all have varying priorities when buying a car, so choose the one that best suits you. It might not even be our top choice, hence we feature “Best for” alternatives in our What Car? Car of the Year Awards and What Car? Used Car of the Year Awards. On top of that, see any car you're considering in the metal and, if you can, take it for a test drive.
What’s the best car you’ve ever driven?
It’s a tough one, but the Toyota GR Yaris is up there. I only took one for a short spin, but its talents quickly shone through, especially due to the undulating road I was on: the rally-bred GR Yaris was in its element. It’s astonishingly fast, engaging and special. As an owner of a 2013-2017 Ford Fiesta ST, the GR Yaris felt somewhat like my car, but with the dial turned all the way to 11. What a captivating performance car, let alone a hot hatch.
What will the car market look like in 20 years?
As of right now, the future looks almost entirely electric. There are some exceptions, such as the used market giving buyers access to existing petrol and diesel cars, but even that should eventually make a shift in favour of electric cars, particularly if the government bans the sale of new combustion-engined cars – currently slated for 2035. Nothing is set in stone, mind you, and alternative fuels like hydrogen and e-fuels are worth keeping an eye on.
