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The UK’s used car market continued to grow in Q3, up 0.5% as 2,030,619 vehicles changed hands, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The performance is the strongest Q3 since 2021. Year to date, the market has grown 0.3% to 6,056,169 transactions – the best first three quarters since 2019.
Demand for battery electric cars rose 23.2% to 97,625 units in Q3 as sustained investment in new vehicle models continued to filter through to the used market, providing buyers with greater choice. Around one in 20 used car buyers (4.8%) chose an EV, up from 3.9% in the same period last year. Year to date, used battery electric car transactions have risen 39.6% to 295,524 units.
Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) sales also grew strongly in Q3, rising 25.9% to 135,204 units and increasing market share to 6.7%, up from 5.3% a year ago. Plug-in hybrid transactions, meanwhile, fell by -13.3% to 20,911 units, accounting for 1% of overall demand, although this small segment of the market is subject to volatility.
Petrol remained the most popular fuel type, with 1,148,576 vehicles (56.6% of the market) changing hands. Diesel sales saw a -5.3% decline to 623,354 units and a 30.7% share. Non-electrified vehicles comprised of 87.5% of used car sales, compared with 89.5% in Q3 last year.
Superminis continued to be Britain’s best-selling used car type, accounting for 32% of transactions, with volumes edging up 0.1% to 650,511 units. Lower medium cars followed with a market share of 26.6% despite volumes declining by -0.5%. Dual purpose cars recorded the strongest growth, rising 8.5% to 368,428 units and securing 18.1% of the market.
Black, grey and white retained their positions as the top three car colours. Together, they accounted for more than 1.15 million transactions, with black remaining the most popular choice with a 21.2% market share.
More information on the SMMT website: Used car market records second quarter of growth with one in 20 drivers going electric - SMMT
