UK car market to experience biggest boom since pre Covid

Auto Trader’s latest projections show that the UK auto market is on track to have its strongest year ever since 2019.

In 2025, 9.75 millions cars will be sold worldwide. This includes 2 million new vehicles and 7.75million used vehicles.

It’s an increase of 3 percent over the total of 9.5 millions sold in 2018. This is the highest number since the peak of 10,3 million cars that were sold before the pandemic (cited by The Independent).

Sales of used UK cars surge

The key factor behind the boom is? Used cars that are older and more affordable.

Auto Trader reports a surge of demand for vehicles aged between five and ten years. They predict that 10.1 million will be on UK streets by 2025, up 8.7 million from 2017.

According to the platform, vehicles over a decade old are also becoming more common, set to make up 26 per cent of the UK’s 32.8 million licensed cars – up from 23 per cent in 2019.

The following factors are driving the boom in demand for used vehicles:

• Supply issues persist in the new car production due to the Covid pandemic
• There is a shortage of vehicles that are three to five years old.
• Shopping for better bargains in the midst of a crisis.

Auto Trader revealed that nearly a third of all advert views on its site are for cars priced under £7,000, showing a clear consumer shift toward affordability.

New UK car sales stagnate

Auto Trader’s prediction (Cited by) predicts that new car registrations will remain unchanged, despite the projected 2 percent increase in used car sales. Evening Standard).

The platform also said it had received over half a billion visits in the first half of 2025 alone – an all-time record.

Ian Plummer said, Auto Trader’s Commercial Director, “UK car sales will reach their highest level since six years. This is testament to the underlying power of consumer demand.” “What’s particularly striking is the surge in appetite for older, budget-friendly vehicles – especially those aged five to 10 years – which are now the fastest-selling part of the market.”

Plummer said: “The Covid Effect is still playing out in the UK auto market and will continue for years to come.”The Independent).

Will older cars increase road risks or keep the UK on the move?

There are many questions about the long term implications of old vehicles on UK roads. These range from safety to emissions, and even insurance premiums.

Should the government support the purchase and use of more eco-friendly models? Or are people simply choosing the most economical option in difficult economic times?

Tell us what you think.

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