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SMMT: Q1 used car sales surpass two million for first time since 2019

The UK’s used car market started the year on a high with 2,020,990 vehicles changing hands in Q1 – the first time sales have breached two million in the first quarter since before the pandemic – according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

The UK’s used car market started the year on a high with 2,020,990 vehicles changing hands in Q1 – the first time sales have breached two million in the first quarter since before the pandemic – according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).1Sales grew by 2.7% on the same period last year, capping off nine consecutive quarters of growth as the market responded to greater supply from the new car sector.

Petrol remained the best-selling fuel type, rising 2.1% to 1,149,855 units, while diesel experienced a -3.1% decline to 679,739 units. As a result, ICE cars made up 90.5% of all used transactions in the quarter. However, their combined market share fell 2.4 percentage points on Q1 2024 as more buyers opted for electrified options.2

Top 10 Q1 used cars

Make Model Q1 2025
VAUXHALL CORSA 8,308
NISSAN QASHQAI 7,462
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 6,853
FORD PUMA 6,631
KIA SPORTAGE 6,456
NISSAN JUKE 6,297
MG MG HS 5,960
HYUNDAI TUCSON 5,914
VOLVO XC40 5,731
MERCEDES A-CLASS  5,409

Hybrids attracted record numbers of second and third owners, up 30.2% to 98,830 units, while 23,540 plug-in hybrids changed hands, up 14.0% on the same period last year. Battery electric cars recorded the highest growth, increasing by 58.5% to 65,850 units and a record 3.3% share of all transactions.

This positive performance saw the greenest powertrain continue its streak as the fastest growing, a trend which must continue to deliver the UK’s net zero goals. Long term success, however, relies heavily on healthy demand for new electric cars, making government incentives paramount. Halving VAT on new EVs and scrapping or amending their liability to the VED Expensive Car Supplement, alongside equalising VAT paid on public charging to domestic rates, would all help increase uptake of new cars and, in turn, promote a vibrant used market.

Top 10 regions Q1

Region Transactions
SOUTH EAST 293,103
NORTH WEST 222,795
WEST MIDLANDS 209,154
EAST 196,530
SOUTH WEST 189,243
YORKSHIRE AND HUMBERSIDE 178,474
SCOTLAND 164,263
EAST MIDLANDS 160,828
LONDON 147,083
WALES 107,876

Smaller cars remained the mainstay of demand, with superminis again the best-selling segment, accounting for almost a third (32.4%) of all used car transactions, followed by small family (lower medium) cars (27.0%). Dual purpose models also proved popular, accounting for 16.8% of sales. Combined, these segments represented three-quarters (76.2%) of all transactions in the period. Specialist sports, executive, upper medium and MPV were the only segments to record declines in Q1, down -6.1%, -3.5%, -1.6% and -0.4% respectively.

Top 10 colours Q1

Colour Q1 2025
BLACK 427,693
GREY 365,798
BLUE 324,242
WHITE 321,429
SILVER/ALUMINIUM 277,849
RED 200,989
GREEN 34,049
ORANGE 15,674
YELLOW 11,168

Black was the most popular colour for the 29th quarter, accounting for a fifth (21.2%) of cars sold, while grey and blue held second and third place, up 6.3% and 1.2%, respectively. Previous best-seller silver, along with orange and gold, were the only colours within the top 20 to record declines, falling by -3.1%, -4.9% and -5.1% respectively.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The used car market has enjoyed its strongest start to a year since before the pandemic, with supply fuelled by a recovering new car market. Critically, more second-hand buyers are opting for electric vehicles, with greater choice and affordability enabling more people and businesses to switch. Sustaining and expanding this growth, however, depends on a healthy supply of EVs from the new car market – which in turn requires fiscal incentives alongside a nationally accessible and affordable charge point network so that everyone, whatever their budget or driving needs, can benefit from zero emission motoring.”

1 Used car transactions, Q1 2019: 2,040,144 units
2 Used car diesel and petrol transactions, Q1 2024: 1,828,082 units = 92.9% market share

SOURCE: SMMT

https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/smmt-q1-used-car-sales-surpass-two-million-for-first-time-since-2019/

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