The sales of second-hand cars grew by 11.5% in 2021 with the demand for EVs reaching record levels, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has reported.
Sales of used battery electric vehicles (BEVs) grew by 119.1% to 40,228 last year compared with 2020, while demand for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) increased by 77.1% to 54,115 sales. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) sales were also up by 50.6% to 134,65.
According to the SMMT, this growth was driven by an increasing number of ultra-low and zero-emission models filtering through to the second-hand car market. But, despite record sales in this area, these vehicles still only account for 3.1% of the total used car market.
Furthermore, sales of used cars increased by 11.5% in 2021, but this is still 5.5% below the pre-pandemic five-year average. The second quarter of 2021 was the busiest period of the year as the UK emerged from lockdown measures, with 2.1 million sales of used cars recorded.
“It’s good to see the used car market return to growth, even if activity is still below where we were pre-pandemic,” said Mike Hawes, chief executive, SMMT.
“With the global shortage of semiconductors set to ease later this year, releasing the squeeze on new car supply, we expect more of the latest, cleanest and zero emission models to become available for second owners.
“The demand for personal mobility has undoubtedly increased during the pandemic, so it’s vital we have healthy new car sales to drive fleet renewal and the used car market if we are to improve air quality and address climate change.”
