The SMMT has reported that used car sales in the UK have risen significantly due to the rising demand for electric vehicles.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has published figures revealing that used car sales in the UK have risen during the second quarter of the year.
The UK’s used car market is said to have risen by 4.1% during this period, with 1,832,267 units changing hands.
The increase reflects sustained growth in the new car market, equating to an additional 72,583 transactions compared with the same period in 2022.
Sales have grown every month so far this year due to the easing of supply chain disruptions. Although the second quarter remains 9.9% below 2019 levels, the market is continuing to recover.
Used electric car sales reach record levels
Used battery electric car sales have continued to rise in the second quarter, growing by 81.8% to 30,645 units. Used electric cars now represent 1.7% of the market, up from 1.0% last year – a new record.
Plug-in hybrids and hybrids also saw double-digit growth, with sales up 11.4% to 18,437 units and 29.5% to 53,634 units respectively.
The rising proportion of electric vehicles meant that the market share for conventionally powered cars fells to 94.3% from 95.7% last year. This is despite petrol and diesel cars seeing growth of 2.5% and 2.8% respectively.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “It’s great to see a recharged new car sector supporting demand for used cars and, in particular, helping more people to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle.
“Meeting the undoubted appetite for pre-owned EVs will depend on sustaining a buoyant new car market and on the provision of accessible, reliable charging infrastructure powered by affordable, green energy. This, in turn, will allow more people to drive zero at a price point suited to them, helping accelerate delivery of our environmental goals.”
What were the best-selling used vehicle type and colour?
Driving used car sales, the best-selling vehicle type was the supermini, making up 31.5% of transactions and growing by 4.4% to 576,980 units. The lower medium followed, accounting for 26.5% of the market. Dual-purpose cars were found to be the third best-selling type, with a 15.1% share.
For the 10th quarter in a row, black retained its position as the most popular colour of choice, representing more than one in five transactions. Grey and blue followed with respective 16.9% and 16.3% market shares.
