Almost 1.2 million fewer used cars changed hands during 2020 as coronavirus-induced lockdowns curbed activity.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says used car sales tumbled 14.9 percent last year, with a total of 6.75 million transactions taking place – down from 7.93 million in 2019.
The last time so few used cars were sold in the UK was back in 2012.
Used car sales did, however, still easily outperform the new car market, which fell by 29 percent.
2020 used car trends
Encouragingly, ‘green’ alternative fuel cars did buck the trend, with sales rising 5.2 percent to more than 144,000 vehicles. This gave them a market share of 2.1 percent.
Pure electric car sales rose 29.7 percent, to over 19,0000 cars, although this still only represented a 0.3 percent market share.
Hybrid sales rose 4.7 percent but, surprisingly, sales of plug-in hybrids fell by 5.0 percent.
Superminis were the most popular type of used car, taking 32 percent of the market, followed by family hatchbacks.
Black was the most popular used car colour, with 1.4 million models changing hands. Silver was next, ahead of blue, grey and white.
Just 36,000 yellow cars changed hands in 2020 – and 4,000 pink cars.
“These figures are yet more evidence of the significant damage coronavirus has caused the automotive sector,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.
“The priority now must be to allow car showrooms to reopen as soon as restrictions are eased.
“This will not only help the used market recover, supporting jobs and livelihoods and providing individuals with the personal mobility they need at a time when guidance is against using public or shared transport, but it will also enable the latest and cleanest vehicles to filter through to second owners.”
Auto Trader CEO Nathan Cole said the figures, while down, pointed to the resilience of the market. Even during the January lockdown, some car dealers were able to operate at 70 percent of normal volumes, thanks to digital retailing.
Growing numbers of people say owning a car is increasingly important in an effort to avoid public transport, he added.
“Our research points to the positive shift towards car ownership strengthening, with 49 percent of consumers now stating that owning a car is more important to them now than it was before the pandemic.”
Top 10 best-selling used cars 2020
1: Ford Fiesta – 289,847
2: Vauxhall Corsa – 244,602
3: Ford Focus – 242,233
4: Volkswagen Golf – 224,146
5: Vauxhall Astra – 196,034
6: BMW 3 Series – 162,593
7: Mini – 152,302
8: Volkswagen Polo – 132,349
9: Mercedes-Benz C-Class – 108,745
10: Audi A3 – 108,006
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