[Brydo]

Last year saw 6.75 million used cars change hands – 14.9 per cent fewer than in 2019 – with Covid-19 lockdowns impacting the market

Used car sales in the UK fell by 14.9 per cent in 2020 as a result of coronavirus lockdowns closing showrooms and denting consumer confidence. A total of 6,752,959 used cars changed hands, down from 7,935,105 in 2019, the worst year for the market since 2012.

The used car market wasn’t in bad shape for the whole year – October saw a 3.7 per cent rise in sales and this was the fourth consecutive month of growth, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). It was followed by year-on-year declines of 18.3 per cent and 4.2 per cent in November and December, though, as new lockdown restrictions came into force.

Alternatively fuelled vehicles managed to buck the downward trend, with sales increasing 5.2 per cent to 144,225 in 2020, giving them a market share of 2.1 per cent. Used electric cars saw a 29.7 per cent rise in popularity, but still only accounted for 0.3 per cent of the market. Demand for conventional hybrids rose 4.7 per cent, but sales of used plug-in hybrids fell by five per cent.

As for petrol and diesel cars, used sales of these were down 15.2 per cent and 15.5 per cent respectively. The most popular used car colour was black, followed by silver and blue. Grey – the most popular new car colour in 2020 – only came fourth on the used market.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, commented: “These figures are yet more evidence of the significant damage coronavirus has caused the automotive sector. Market growth at the start of the year was welcome, but quickly stifled by the first lockdown as showrooms closed across the country – a picture that was repeated with the subsequent lockdowns in November and, indeed, into 2021.

The only person who got all his work done by Friday was Robinson Crusoe.
Anything i post over three lines long please assume it is an article lol.

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[BionicRusty]

Honestly, I can’t believe it’s only since 2012.
It shouldn’t be a problem for Motability customers. In fact, it should be good forthwith customers as less car sales in general should mean more manufacturer incentives to keep the business they have, those being the big lease companies such as Motability.
That’s what should happen but I think we all know that we will be presented with the mucky end of the stick.
I’m always optimistic though, right up until I read the awful costs.
Take Q1 for example. There was a real opportunity there for Motability to take advantage of the low new registration sales but what happened was some huge price hikes.
Some may say, ‘Well I’ll just keep my current car longer’ and that would suit Motability down to the ground. They will still be claiming the weekly costs but without the hassle of dealing with new registrations.

? I will be remembered for nothing but had great fun doing it ?

[Wigwam]

Lower used car sales, but no information about prices – are they trending up or down?  Given cars are increasing reliable and long lasting, it should come as no surprise if people hang onto them longer and therefore volumes are down.

 

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