UK used car sales in April were the strongest seen since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to market analyst Indicata.
It said the market was driven by strong hybrid and petrol car sales, up by 30% and 23% respectively compared with March, as car showrooms opened for the first time in three months due to the easing of lockdown restrictions.
In addition, prices of used cars rose in April and have continued to rise in early May, a trend Indicata said looked set to continue as the global semiconductor crisis hits new car supply.
The firm also said used EVs took the longest to sell in April, at an average of 59.8 days in stock per vehicle, compared with around 37 days for petrol and diesel cars.
Indicata sales director Jon Mitchell said: “April was a record sales month, but already the pressure on supply is starting to show which is in turn forcing prices upwards. A shortage of semiconductors is already affecting new car sales so we predict used prices will continue to rise.
“We could be witnessing these market conditions throughout the summer months until the new car production challenges are resolved.”
