- UK used car market grows 4.1% in Q2 2023, with more than 1.8
million units changing hands.
- Sales of used battery electric vehicles (BEVs) soar by 81.8%,
accounting for record 1.7% market share.
- First half transactions also up 4.1% on weak 2022 volumes,
but market remains -9.2% behind pre-pandemic 2019.
The UK’s used car market rose by 4.1% during the second quarter
of the year, with 1,832,267 units changing hands, according to
the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor
Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The increase equates to an
additional 72,583 transactions compared with the same period in
2022, reflecting sustained growth in the new car market and
improving availability.1 The easing of supply chain
disruptions has driven sales growth in every month so far this
year and, although the Q2 market remains -9.9% below 2019 levels,
its recovery continues apace.2
Used battery electric vehicle (BEVs) sales continued to soar in
the second quarter, growing by 81.8% to 30,645 units,
representing 1.7% of the market – a new record – up from 1.0%
last year. Double-digit growth also continued for plug-in hybrids
(PHEVs) and hybrids (HEVs), up 11.4% to 18,437 units and 29.5% to
53,634 units respectively. The rising proportion of electrified
vehicles meant that market share for conventionally powered cars
marginally fell to 94.3% from 95.7% last year, even though
volumes of petrol and diesel cars saw growth of 2.5% and 2.8%
respectively. 3
Superminis remained the best-selling used vehicle type, making up
31.5% of transactions and growing by 4.4% to 576,980 units. This
was followed by lower medium, accounting for 26.5% of the market,
while dual purpose cars rounded off the top three with a 15.1%
share.
Black retained its position as the most popular colour choice for
the 10th quarter in a row, representing more than one
in five (21.3%) transactions. It was followed by grey and blue in
second and third places with respective 16.9% and 16.3% market
shares.
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.”
Notes to editors:
1 Used car transactions, Q2 2022: 1,759,684 units
2 Used car transactions, Q2 2019: 2,034,236 units
3 Internal combustion engine transactions, Q2 2022:
1,684,134 units
