Auto Trader predicts golden era for older vehicles
The latest forecast from Auto Trader is predicting a golden era for older vehicles with 9.75 million new and used cars expected to be sold this year.
It expects new cars sales to be flat in 2025 with around 1.96 million registrations, with the growth in sales driven mainly by rising demand in the used car market.
Auto Trader analysis found that used cars sold at near record speeds in the first six months of the year, with sales volumes rising by around two per cent.
Although franchised businesses recorded flat sales, independent retailers enjoyed a five per cent year-on-year growth. This is because franchised businesses are being hit by supply and sourcing challenges left over from the pandemic, when 2.4 million cars were not built.
As such, availability of three to five-year-old cars is strained; in 2019, there were 4.8 million cars in this age group but by the end of this year it’s expected to drop to just 2.9 million.
Golden era
Conversely, demand for cars aged five to 10 continues to grow. This age category sold on average two days quicker than the wider market in the first half of 2025, and Auto Trader is now predicting a golden era for ‘economy stock’ with more than 10 million cars in this category on UK roads by the end of 2025.
Marc Palmer, head of strategy and insights, said: “Although retailers are navigating a range of experiences shaped by supply, demand and stock mix, the overall UK automotive retail market remains resilient and full of opportunity.
“Robust consumer confidence and record levels of engagement on Autotrader point to the underlying health, even as stock challenges create divergence between independents and franchises.
“Retailers able to adapt and diversify their offer can benefit from the evolving landscape, but leveraging accurate data and the right digital tools will be critical to understand the fast-changing market and to in turn support consumers to navigate their buying journey.”
