- More than 2.1 million used cars sold in Q3 – a record for the period July-September.
- Demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles climbs 34.1%, with sales of electric cars surging 94.1%.
- 6.3 million used cars change hands in the year-to-date – up 7.9% on the same period in 2015.
Thursday 17 November 2016 Growth in the used car market continued in the third quarter of 2016 as UK buyers snapped up a record 2,148,050 vehicles, according to figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Demand grew 7.9% compared with Q3 2015.
Consumer appetite for alternatively fuelled vehicles rose substantially – increasing 34.1% (21,543) compared with the same period in 2015 (16,059). The number of electric vehicles changing hands grew 94.1% between July and September as used buyers made the most of new fuel technology appearing in the used sector.
Diesel and petrol fuelled vehicles also enjoyed growth – up 10.8% and 5.7% respectively – as used car buyersbegin to benefit from the latest, low emission Euro 6 models now entering the used market in increasing numbers. Meanwhile, the trend towards smaller cars continued, with superminis the best-selling body type (33.8%) followed by family hatchbacks (27.4%) and saloons (13.4%).
Buyers in the South East bought the most used cars in the quarter (14.9%), followed by those in the North West (10.6%) and the East (9.8%). Nationally, the Ford Fiesta retained its position as the most popular model, followed by the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Corsa, while cars aged 1-3 years old were most sought after, followed by those first registered 7-10 years ago. More than 60% of all used cars were bought in silver, black and blue, which remained top of buyers’ colour charts for a second year in a row.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said, “Sustained growth in the used car sector is great news for consumers, who have never enjoyed so much choice – whether in brand, body style or fuel type and the range of finance packages on offer makes them more affordable than ever. It’s particularly promising to see the growing demand for electric vehicles filter into the used car market but to encourage greater take-up, a more widespread commitment to charging infrastructure is needed.”
Q3 and year-to-date used car sales by fuel type
| Q3 2016 | Q3 2015 | % change | Year-to-date 2016 | Year-to-date 2015 | % change | |
| AFV | 21,543 | 16,059 | 34.1% | 59,381 | 44,779 | 32.6% |
| Diesel | 836,304 | 754,677 | 10.8% | 2,465,227 | 2,213,958 | 11.3% |
| Petrol | 1,290,203 | 1,220,415 | 5.7% | 3,804,484 | 3,608,638 | 5.4% |
About SMMT and the UK automotive industry
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the UK. It supports the interests of the UK automotive industry at home and abroad, promoting a united position to government, stakeholders and the media.
The automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy accounting for more than £71.6 billion turnover and £18.9 billion value added. With some 169,000 people employed directly in manufacturing and 814,000 across the wider automotive industry, it accounts for12.0% of total UK export of goods and invests £2.5 billion each year in automotive R&D. More than 30 manufacturers build in excess of 70 models of vehicle in the UK supported by more than 2,000 component providers and some of the world’s most skilled engineers.
More detail on UK automotive available in SMMT’s Motor Industry Facts 2016 publication at www.smmt.co.uk/facts16.
