The second quarter decline in UK used car sales isn’t as severe as first reported by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Revised figures show sales fell by just 0.7 per cent compared with the same period last year, as opposed to the 13.5 per cent decline the SMMT recorded last week.
A spokesperson for the industry body put the statistical error down to an issue with an algorithm used to analyse market data.
During the second quarter of 2017, 2,102,154 used cars changed hands as opposed to 2,117,368 in Q2 2016.
While transactions may have declined for Q2 2017, year-to-date sales increased by 1.3 per cent to 4,236,110.
Superminis retained their crown as the most popular used vehicle type in Q2, with 695,904 units changing hands. They were followed by small family cars at 56,381.
The Ford Fiesta was the most popular used car in Q2, with 93,025 trading hands. The Fiesta was closely followed by the Ford Focus, which saw 89,478 examples find new owners.
Demand for diesel cars increased by four per cent during the first six months of 2017, with 1,693,594 examples changing hands. Petrol sales fell by 0.8 per cent to 2,494,818, while demand for alternatively-fuelled vehicles (AFVs) increased by 26.1 per cent. Electric cars saw particularly strong growth, with demand increasing by 79.3 per cent.
However, AFVs still account for just 1.1 per cent of the overall market.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “With used car sales closely mirroring what we see in the new car market, last quarter’s moderate decline comes as no surprise – and with demand easing over recent months, this could offer motorists the opportunity to get some great deals.
“However, although the market remains at an exceptionally high level, given the softening we’ve seen in registrations of new cars in more recent months, looking ahead it is vital that government secures the conditions that will maintain consumer and business confidence if we are to see both markets continue to prosper.”
