Electric models drive second-hand car sales higher

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The number of used electric vehicles on the market has increased, which has boosted second-hand car sales.

In the first three months of this year, used car sales in the UK increased by 5.1%.

The second-hand market for electric cars doubled in size.

The SMMT said that electric car sales wereenergising the market.

The Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, and Vauxhall Corsa were the most popular models. The latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed that consumers were interested in buying more eco-friendly cars.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said that zero emission vehicles are starting to filter through in larger numbers to consumers looking forward to driving the latest and greenest vehicles.

Although there is some way to go before we see the recent growth in new EV replicated in the used market, a buoyant new car market will be vital to help drive fleet renewal which is essential to the delivery of carbon savings.

In the first three months of the year, the sales of used battery electric vehicles increased by 120% from a year earlier.

The used car market has changed hands in greater numbers for plug in hybrid and hybrid vehicles, which together make up a larger share of the market.

Smaller models were more popular in the second-hand market. Larger multi-purpose vehicles declined by 7.5%, followed by luxury saloons which were down 3.4%.

One in every five cars sold were black.

David Leggett, editor of specialist news site Just Auto, said that a shortage of electronic components was holding back the new car market.

He said the prices of used cars had gone up over the last year.

As more new stock enters the used car market, the ramp up in sales of second-hand electric vehicles will continue over the next few years.

He said that the impact of BEVs on the new car market is still early.

He predicted a transformation of the new and used car markets as challenges within the electric car market over charging and consumer hesitation over adapting to the technology recede.

In the last two years, used car prices have risen by 40%.

Richard Peberdy, UK Head of automotive, said that used car prices have been soaring.

The used car market is cooling slightly due to the cost of living, but demand is still high and is likely to continue until the issues impacting new car production are resolved. He said that it is unlikely to be this year.