Birmingham claims second place in list of used-car hotspots

BIRMINGHAM has been named second only to London as the largest used car market in the country.

Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that in the first half of the year there were 68,260 used car sales in Birmingham – against 354,486 in London.

Birmingham’s performance placed it ahead of Leeds (48,045), which was in third place in the top ten areas of the country.

However, Birmingham’s position would have been completely undermined if the figures were collated on a county basis with Yorkshire claiming not just third spot but fourth (Bradford – 32,810), fifth (Sheffield – 30,783) and tenth (Wakefield – 24,308).

Leicester claimed seventh spot with 26,181 sales and perhaps surprisingly, Greater Manchester was only eighth with sales of 25,413.

Overall, the UK’s used car market grew by 7.9% in the first half, reaching the highest number of sales since records began.

In total, 4,181,042 used car transactions were made between January and June – the first time the market has surpassed four million units in the first half of the year.

The surge in used car sales mirrors the record and sustained levels of growth in the new car market in 2015 and earlier this year.

Motorists in the South East of England were responsible for the highest share of sales (14%), followed by those in the North West (10.2%) and the West Midlands (9.8%).

April was the most popular time to buy a used car, when used car stock is particularly strong following March’s plate change, with more than three quarters of a million (760,308) vehicles purchased in this month. The most sought after age for a used car was between one- and three-years-old, with these making up the biggest proportion of overall sales.   

Reflecting the trend towards more compact driving seen in the new car sector, superminis were the most sought after body type, representing one in three transactions (33.9%), with small family cars in second place, accounting for more than a quarter (27.2%).

Silver was the most popular colour, with almost half a million cars changing hands so far this year, followed by black, chosen by one in 10 used buyers, blue and grey. Bolder colours were in also in demand, with yellow and gold, which had fallen in popularity in the new market, now featuring once again.

The Ford Fiesta was the UK’s favourite used car, with nearly 60,000 sold so far this year.

Mike Hawes, chief executive, SMMT, said: “The UK’s used car market is at its strongest ever, and that’s great news for buyers spoilt for choice with the latest advanced vehicle technology and attractive financing options.

“The growth in the used car market has reflected the record demand for new cars in recent years, but future growth in high cost purchases will depend on stable consumer and business confidence.”