Petrol-powered internal combustion engines remain in strong demand with British used car buyers. Diesel power plants predictably witnessed a decline with larger diesels (especially saloons) now being a higher risk buy due to changing ULEZ standards/regulations, plus higher running costs overall.
Used electric cars reached a record 118,973 sales, an increase of almost 91 per cent over 2022. Despite this growing interest and demand, electric cars accounted for just 1.6 per cent of the overall British used car market. Sales of previously-owned hybrids and plug-in hybrids also saw huge increases, with all ‘alternative fuel’ cars taking 5.6 per cent of the UK used car market last year.
According to Auto Trader’s data, in 2023 a used car remained in sales stock for 41 days on average on its website following a dealer listing it. On average petrol cars took 41 days to sell, diesel 42 days, but used alternative fuel cars (electric and hybrids) remained on the Auto Trader site for just 36 days.
Behind the Ford Kuga as the fastest-selling used model, most in-demand by British buyers in 2023 were the following:
1. Ford Kuga (petrol, up to one year old): 13 days in stock
2. Mercedes-Benz A Class Hatch (petrol hybrid, up to one year old): 14 days
3. Mercedes-Benz A Class Saloon (petrol hybrid, up to one year old): 15 days
4. Kia Niro (electric, up to one year old): 16 days
5. Kia Sportage (up to one year old): 17 days
6. Kia Niro (petrol hybrid, up to one year old): 17 days
7. Skoda Karoq (diesel, 1-3 years old): 17.5 days
8. Audi A3 (diesel, 15 years+ old): 17.5 days
9. Audi E-Tron (electric, 3-5 years old): 18 days
10. Mercedes-Benz GLA (petrol hybrid, 3-5 years old): 18.5 days