SECOND-HAND automobile gross sales within the UK had been up 5.1 per cent within the first quarter of 2022 in contrast with the identical interval final 12 months, in response to trade figures.
Some 1,774,351 used-car market transactions befell, up 86,596 on the corresponding 2021 determine, when pandemic lockdowns solely allowed for click-and-collect companies from sellers.
And the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT) figures confirmed it was a file first three months for purchases of pre-loved absolutely electrical autos.
The variety of pre-owned zero-emission vehicles altering palms greater than doubled from 6625 to 14,586 – an increase of 120.2 per cent.
Second-hand plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and hybrids (HEVs) additionally noticed gross sales rising by 35.3 per cent to 14,433, and 28.8 per cent to 35,007 items respectively.
Regardless of the expansion, nonetheless, petrol and diesel powertrains continued to dominate the used market, representing 96.2 per cent of gross sales – 1,707,135 autos.
Superminis (32.6 per cent) remained the most well-liked purchase, adopted by lower-medium vehicles (26.6 per cent) and dual-purpose autos (14 per cent).
SMMT boss Mike Hawes stated: “With the new-car market hampered by ongoing international provide shortages, development within the used-car sector is welcome.
“Electrical automobile gross sales are energising the market, with zero-emission autos beginning to filter by way of in bigger numbers to customers wanting ahead to driving the newest and greenest autos.”
A spokesperson for Electrical Car Affiliation Scotland added: “It is vital that the second-hand EV automobile market stays buoyant right here and that drivers desperate to make the transition to electrical autos have the chance to take action.
“Regardless of new-car availability being quickly decreased, the demand for EVs is sort of insatiable. So it’s encouraging to see dealerships throughout the nation striving to offer used EVs to fill the hole.”