Used car sales hit record high

USED CAR SALES were at their highest in five years in 2013. There was a 0.9% increase in used car trades, with more than 6.8 million exchanges of ownership recorded, though this is still some way behind the previous record high of 7.8 million used car sales in 2008.

Analysis from Experian shows cars aged nine years old or over were among the strongest performers in the used car market, with sales up 6% in 2013 compared to the previous year. However, cars in the 3-6- and 6-9-year old categories both dropped by 4.4%.

The most popular used car was the Ford Focus, which accounted for 3.67% of all used car trades in 2013, or 312,221 changes of ownership. Second place went to the Ford Fiesta and the Vauxhall Corsa came in third.

Larger cars were also popular, with 4x4s and MPV both showing increased sales, while alternative fuel vehicles such as the Toyota Prius also enjoyed a rise in sales. There was also a clear divide between the North and South of the UK, with Vauxhalls more popular in the North of England and Scotland, while Fords were preferred by those in the south.

By Press Association reporters