EVs boost UK used car sales

The increase saw an additional 131,128 sales compared with the same period in 2023, as sustained growth in the new car market has fuelled choice and availability in the used car sector.

According to new SMMT figures, used car transactions have risen in every month of the year, with the first six months up 6.8 per cent to 3,931,318 units – marking the best growth since 2016 and the best first half year since 2019. It also found that the market is now just -3.0 per cent less than pre-pandemic levels.

The report found that an increasing number of buyers are switching to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), with 46,773 BEVs bought between April and June, a rise of 52.6 per cent.

Sales of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and hybrids (HEVs) also grew by 25.2 per cent to 21,580 units and 43.6 per cent to 78,782 units respectively. Petrol and diesel powered cars still accounted for 92.4 per cent of all vehicles, down from 94.3 per cent last year. Petrol remained the most popular fuel type, up 9.2 per cent, while diesel fell by -1.2 per cent.